Audi A3 sedan 1.4 TFSI 2014 review

It comes as no surprise that Audi’s new A3 sedan has won "World Car of the Year" as judged by a panel of about 70 of the world’s top motoring journalists. A right-sized car, the A3 sedan also runs a choice of three efficient engines, with our test 1.4-litre calling into question any move to a diesel.

Engine / Transmission

The 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit has cylinder deactivation to save fuel, and gets 4.7L/100km -- very impressive given the 250Nm of torque available from a low 1500rpm, which will give you strong performance without having to rev the engine too high.

The whole thing is underlined by a clever seven speed S-Tronic dual clutch manumatic transmission with paddle shift that provides rapid fire gear changes and close ratios to fully capture all available power and torque. The 1.4 Attraction (tested) generates 103kW of power and is a direct injection, turbo charged unit with variable valve timing and other clever stuff like the cylinder deactivation.

It drives the front wheels through a sporty chassis set-up built around a strut front/four link rear suspension and electric power steering.

Two other models are available, a 1.8-litre turbo petrol and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel. No need for either when you boil it all down.

Price / Features

Made in Hungary, the A3 is edging up in size towards Audi’s most popular model, the A4. In fact, we can see little reason to spend the extra for an A4 when you can get the A3 1.4 TFSI for $39,800 – and enjoy a good helping of Audi design, technology and luxury.

The A3 sedan comes well equipped for the ask with 17-inch alloys, rear park assist, leather, dual zone climate control, Bluetooth phone and audio, music interface, cruise control, auto headlights and wipers and plenty more.

Five option packages are available that enhance style, luxury, comfort or driver assist.

The A3 sedan scores a five star crash rating and has additional active and passive safety features. It also has some weight saving components and design such as the aluminium bonnet and some suspension parts. The base model we drove tips the scales at 1250kg.

Driving

We had to keep on reminding ourselves this was a 1.4-litre car, a compact premium sedan that sells in one of the most popular segments world-wide. You get economy and throttle response for an impressive drive feel. It’s smooth and quiet too. It has plenty of get-go and is fun to drive with the paddle shift and sporty dynamics.

There’s heaps of room inside for four or five and a large boot. The interior is Audi signature -- classy, functional, and sensible.

During the week long test drive that covered hundreds of kilometres, we didn’t have to put any fuel in the A3 at all – that’s rare. But it prefers premium when you do have to stop and fill up.

Seriously impressed with this car… with its technology, style, equipment, safety, performance and handling. It’s not brain-snapping but is super competent across a wide mainstream field of applications.