Car reviews

The A3 Sportback is effectively the five-door version of the A3, but Audi has gone one-step further, redesigning the rear of the car with a new tailgate. The result not only helps differentiate it from the three-door, but increases boot space by 20 litres. Combined with a more spacious rear cabin and the same high levels of refinement and quality, the A3 Sportback is a good upmarket hatchback. From behind the wheel it feels little different to the three-door car, with predictable and assured handling while there's a good choice of excellent petrol and diesel engines. A low emissions and high economy 1.6 TDI model which uses a start-stop system is also available and can average an impressive 69mpg.