Audi A3

More engines will be joining the A3 Sportback range in due course, including hybrids at one end and more performance-oriented versions like the new S3. But the core 35 TFSI petrol and 35 TDI diesel will be at the heart of the range and offer a solid basis for comparison with direct rivals, including the Volkswagen Golf (with which the A3 shares its foundations, engines and tech) and premium alternatives like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series.

The A3 35 TDI S line we tested is a popular trim level and, at list price, the Audi costs a little more than an equivalent Golf with the same engine and gearbox. It’s on a par with the Mercedes and BMW options when you compare equivalent models with 2.0-litre diesel motors and automatic gearboxes like our test car. CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are all pretty much comparable too, meaning running costs are going to be close. Audi residual values are typically stronger, though, which should count in the A3 Sportback’s favour when crunching finance options against rivals.