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Audi's plush family hatch receives a mid-life rejig, gaining a new look and a longer standard equipment list. We've driven the 2.0 diesel in Germany

What is it?

Few manufacturers move at the same rate of change as Audi, and the next model to be brought into line is its Audi A3. A new grille, alloy wheel designs, headlights and tail-lights make up the headline changes to its exterior. Meanwhile, there are new 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine options and more power for the range-topping S3 hot hatch.

Every A3 now gets more standard equipment, too, including xenon headlights, cruise control and more advanced smartphone integration. It means that although prices across the range are up by around £500, you're effectively saving money. Features such as Audi's excellent Virtual Cockpit and Matrix LED headlights are also now available as options.

The A3 Sportback's competition remains intense from the likes of the Volkswagens Volkswagen Golf and the BMW 1 Series, particularly when sporting a similar-capacity diesel engine to the 148bhp 2.0 TDI we're focusing on here. For the record, this 2.0 TDI is also wearing S line trim and is fitted with Audi's six-speed S tronic automatic gearbox.

What's it like?

This is a relatively minor facelift, so the A3 holds its position in the class as the decently spacious, refined and genuinely upmarket choice amongst its peers, yet still not the keen driver's choice.

Not that this diesel is short on performance; despite a slight dither while the engine and 'box agree terms, the 2.0 TDI picks up well and feels brilliantly muscular across its mid-range in all driving modes. It certainly feels a little brisker than its sprint times suggests, especially in its most urgent Dynamic mode.

This 2.0 goes about its business in a more hushed fashion than its lesser 1.6 stablemate, too, but isn't afraid to let itself be known when really pushed hard. Still, it settles nicely at a steady speed and the A3's diesel rivals are similarly raucous at high engine speeds. There's also very little wind or road noise to speak of at high speed.

Even in its most sporting S line form (albeit, in our car's case, with its sports suspension deleted) the A3 remains a very competent but hardly inspiring steer. Wearing large 18in wheels, an S line feels a touch sharper when changing direction, and builds on lesser models' already stout grip. There's little playfulness from the A3's chassis, however, and its precise but hardly invigorating steering rarely excites.

Still, our car rode a not-perfect German test route well, showing off taut but compliant damping. Over the very poorest of sections that we encountered (of which there were few) there was more of the tell-tale noise and fidget from the A3's MQB underpinnings, but certainly not enough to cause concern.

The A3's party piece, though, is its interior quality, and it's still class-leading in that respect. Dense, soft materials, beautifully damped switches and cold-to-the-touch metallic surfaces adorn the cabin, giving it real class-above appeal. 

Our car's brilliant Virtual Cockpit can now be added as part of a pricey £1395 Advanced Technology Package (on Sport and S Line models only), but we'd say it's worth the extra cash if you can afford it. Vitally, it's clear and easy to use, but is also visually superb. Once you consider the pack also includes Audi's larger-screened Navigation Plus infotainment system, advanced online services and wireless smartphone charging (if your phone supports it, that is), it looks to be of fairly good value.

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Two tall adults won't feel confined in the front seats, while the driver will find it easy to manually adjust his or her nicely-supportive seat and the steering wheel to their desired position. Like its closest rivals, the A3's rear seats are best at catering for two further adults rather than three. Those two passengers will find good shoulder and head room available, and also good knee room, so long as those in the front aren't unusually lanky. Boot space is unchanged at a competitive 365 litres, remaining easily accessible and practically shaped.

Should I buy one?

The new A3 is every bit as spacious, refined and luxurious as it was before, and despite a slight price increase, manages to make more financial sense thanks to some genuinely desirable bits of equipment being thrown in for 2016.

Gone are the days of S line Audis shaking your teeth out, but even so, we'd be tempted further down the range if shopping for a Sportback. We'd particularly recommend an SE Technick, which asks just £495 more than entry-level SE trim, but delivers sat-nav, rear parking sensors, different 16in alloys and three months of online services - all on top of the SE's now inflated base kit. 

Company car drivers may be tempted elsewhere from this particular version too; there's a plethora of similarly powerful automatic premium hatches (not to mention A3s) that emit less CO2 and keep tax bills lower. However, few can claim the A3's quality inside while ticking as many further boxes as it does for the buyer. 

Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI S tronic

Location: Munich, Germany; On sale: Now; Price £28,835; Engine 4 cyls, 1968cc, turbocharged, diesel; Power 148bhp at 3500-4000rpm; Torque 251lb ft at 1750-3000rpm; Gearbox 6-spd automatic; Kerb weight 1320kg; Top speed 135mph; 0-62mph 8.3sec; Economy 61.4mpg; CO2 rating & BIK tax band 120g/km / 24%

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5wheels 19 May 2016

Hang on a minute

I thought cars were for the save comfortable peaceful spacious delightful to be in mode of transport to whisk us from point a to point b. Seems that these racer boyos at autocar can only think of haring round corners on opposite lock and "whats the top speed mister" types. Isnt it time to grow up?
pauld101 19 May 2016

Effectively saving money?

Not sure about how much money the owner will be saving as residuals have collapsed much more than £500. Wisest thing would be to avoid any VW group product as panic has now set in internally within the group. VW has "appointed" Frau Dr. Hessa al Jaber of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) to the VW supervisory board. QIA, as VW's largest 'investor' has stepped in, no doubt, to try and protect its investment. Good luck with that.
madmalc200 19 May 2016

Posh cockpit versus excellent chassis

My 118d is vastly more fun to drive and has better numbers - plus I have driven an A3 and wasn't that impressed with the interior quality. If you judge a car by its interior then you should be reading WhatCar