Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI 125 CV test drive (part III)

The customisation options for the German brand’s vehicles are very extensive, and it’s fair to say you can add almost anything to almost any version, subject to the usual incompatibilities, of course. We saw this with the colours and upholstery and even with the engines, but without a doubt the best part is the interior equipment.

The difference between the Sportback and the three-door, apart from the number of doors, is that it is only 5.5 cm wider and 2 mm taller. The boot gains 20 litres over the shorter body and, of course, that space is mainly gained in rear-seat interior room, although the five-door version is still more comfortable, mainly because of access.

Safety equipment

Depending on the trim level, the standard equipment varies, but in any case, everything is available as an option. The range of possibilities is huge. In Ambition trim (our test car), it comes with front driver and passenger airbags, front side airbags (rear ones as an option with a ski bag for €400), front and rear head airbags, but it does not come with a driver’s knee airbag.

It includes most of the driver assistance systems you would expect in this segment, such as ABS, ESP, ASR, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), brake assist, and a host of additional electronic controls. The hill start assist (Hill Assist) is available for €120, as are Plus xenon headlights for €1,000 and adaptive ones (xenon only) for €400.

The front and rear parking sensors are available as a package for €810, and deactivating the passenger airbag and ISOFIX anchorages is also optional for €95. This is a step back in terms of safety, although it helps keep costs down and offer more competitive prices. There is a wealth of extra safety equipment on offer.

The weak point is the Euro NCAP rating, with only 4 stars for adults for the MY2003 (the 2009 model does not appear), and although it has made some small changes, perhaps they were not enough to reach 5 stars. The earlier version scored 3 stars for children and 1 for pedestrians. A very important point to bear in mind.

Standard equipment

As we mentioned, the customisation options are truly enormous. However, we’ll take it step by step so we don’t get lost and everything stays clear. Regardless of engine, the A3 Sportback can be specified in three different equipment lines, in ascending order: Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente. Small exceptions: the 1.6 TDI 102 g/km engine is only available in Attraction trim; and Ambition is the only trim that can be paired with the S tronic gearbox for the most powerful 200 CV engine.

The available engines are three petrol units (1.4 with 125 CV, 1.8 with 160 CV and 2.0 with 200 CV), all TFSI, and three diesels (1.6 with 105 CV and 2.0 with 140 and 170 CV), all TDI. From here on, it’s all about choosing options according to its configurator, which is very simple and intuitive.

The prices in the table below are for each engine, with the price range of the most basic trim (Attraction) and the most expensive (Ambiente) for the 6-speed manual gearbox without quattro all-wheel drive:

• 1.4 TFSI (125 CV) from €24,750 to €26,920
• 1.8 TFSI (160 CV) from €26,610 to €29,000
• 2.0 TFSI (200 CV) from €30,070 to €32,550
• 1.6 TDI (105 CV) from €24,750 to €27,040
• 2.0 TDI (140 CV) from €25,900 to €28,420
• 2.0 TDI (170 CV) from €29,020 to €31,410

Personally, I think that apart from any extra safety equipment we might add, the car comes quite well equipped. The test car had optional extras such as the Bose radio with speaker system (€690), though with the same number of speakers as standard (8), and a Bluetooth installation in the centre armrest with phone for €615. For €350 you get a basic Bluetooth installation, which is more advisable and practical enough. The Open Sky sunroof is available for €1,465.

All in all, Audi impresses, and those who try it like it, and I personally think it is positioning itself better and better among premium brands at prices somewhat more competitive than the usual ones. The driving feel and the steering are really comfortable, which impresses and justifies the outlay when buying it. The seats are excellent, both in feel and in back and body support.

What surprises most are the safety features that other brands offer as standard in lower ranges, but which here are optional. That’s the market. Nevertheless, the design is truly unique and, as with other models, you notice it every time you see one on the street. The engine is excellent and, if you drive with a little care, consumption can be reduced considerably. It is not a car for racing, but for cruising and having fun in a different way than simply speeding and accelerating.

Photos | Javi Vicente