The A3 hatchback is the cheapest way into Audi ownership these days and has the likes of the BMW 1 Series and VW Golf in its firing line.

And like most manufacturers, Audi is going after the green buyer who wants low emissions, high fuel economy and cost-effective motoring.

We took the 1.9TDIe – which costs just £35-a-year to tax – on loan for a week.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

Face-lifted in 2008, the Audi A3 is a pretty hatchback with very smooth, curvy lines all-round. It benefits from the smart LED headlights which star in the Audi range and rolls on a set of 16-inch alloys. As the green model, the TDIe has a few bodywork adjustments to make it more streamlined.

8/10

2. Looks inside

It’s well known that Audi know how to make an interior and the A3’s maintains the car maker’s high reputation with the inside a joy to sit in. It’s not flamboyant, just very simple with dark plastics and clear dials, all beautifully manufactured.

9/10

3. Practicality

We test drove the three-door model so rear access is always an issue, however when in the back there is comfortably room for two adults and fairly good all-round vision for the driver. The boot’s 350-litre capacity makes it the same as the Golf, slightly more than the 1 Series and just off the Focus.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

The A3’s ride is fairly uncompromising, ironing out creases in roads without too much of an issue. There’s minimal bodyroll through the bends and it grips to the road fairly well. However, we found there isn’t as much grip from the roll resistant tyres as there is on normal tyres. Car makers fit these tyres because friction is reduced and it helps bump up the mpg and cut down the emissions so if you want an A3 to thrash through the corners it’s probably best to choose a different model or get different tyres.

8/10

5. Performance

Under the bonnet of the A3 TDIe is a 1.9-litre diesel engine which has been used in an almost endless amount of cars from VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat and develops 103bhp and 184lb/ft of pulling power. It’s not quick, with 0-62mph taking 11 seconds before running out of steam at 120mph but for a green car it goes along nicely on the motorway.

7/10
 
6. Running Costs

Thanks to the low-powered engine and aerodynamic adjustments, the Audi A3 emits just 119g/km of carbon dioxide meaning it costs just £35-a-year to tax. To reduce weight and improve fuel economy, the A3 gets a five-speed manual gearbox which is quite long geared. Audi claims the A3 will average 62.8mpg and we after 400-plus miles we were hitting 60mpg which is impressive, considering the 62.9mpg BMW 118d we tested averaged around 45mpg.

10/10

7. Reliability

The 1.9-litre engine found in the A3 has been round for donkey’s years so you’re unlikely to get much problem from it. When you sit inside an Audi, you can see the meticulous level of detail put into the car’s interior and the rest of the car follows suit. There’s very little to go wrong. 

9/10

8. Safety

Even though it’s a face-lifted model, this generation Audi A3 has been around since 2003 and only boasts four stars in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. While impressive, it’s lagging behind cars such as the BMW 1 Series, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf which have the full five stars. However, you are well equipped safety wise with six airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic brakes distribution.

8/10

9. Equipment

The entry-level Audi A3 TDIe model is very basic, featuring little more than 16-inch alloy wheels, CD player, alarm, heated mirrors, air-conditioning and electric windows, which is about the same as a £6,500 Hyundai i10. Next up the spec ladder is SE which adds a trip computer, front fog lights, sportier 16-inch alloys and a steering wheel with audio controls. The spec-topping ‘Sport’ TDIe gains sports suspension and 17-inch alloys.  Like with BMWs, you don’t get much as standard on an Audi but there’s a huge spec list available and it’s not cheap with our £16,500 A3 costing £24,360 after options were added.

6/10 

10. X-Factor

Motorists want to be green these days and they want a car with a premium feel. At a shade over £16,000 the Audi A3 TDIe manages this.

8/10