Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Sport 3dr Car Review - February 2012

The 2.0 petrol engine gives the car a significant power boost of 197 bhp at 5,100-6,000 rpm with torque figures of 206 lb-ft at 1,700-5,000 rpm. The car delivers poor mileage at 39.8 mpg, incurring high fuel bills and regular fill ups at the petrol station. The car gives good performance with a top speed of 148 mph, going from 0-62 mph in 7.0 seconds.

The drive behind the wheel is firm and comfortable and its body control and grip are strong. However, its light steering lacks feel and gear changes can sometimes be very resistant. Wind and road noises while driving are audible but not excessive.

The front seats are comfortable, fully adjustable and supportive. Taller drivers can find the strut on the centre console uncomfortable as it digs into their knees.

The 2.0 TFSI looks very stylish for a medium family car with an attractive exterior and a well crafted and comfortable cabin. While the dashboard looks advanced, it is a little disorganised and there is difficulty telling some of the buttons apart. The car comes fitted with standard tech including dual zone climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, and an advanced stereo system.

Front seating is roomy and ample for adult passengers but rear seats are only suitable for children, lacking the space to comfortable accommodate adults on longer journeys. The car is equipped with a good sized boot which offers adequate storage capacity for families with the seats in place - making it ideal for long travel purposes. However, folding down the rear seat backs can create a stepped load-bay and increase capacity.

Essential for family cars, the 2.0 TFSI comes equipped with a top of the range safety kit and a five out of five NCAP rating. The kit consists of standard twin front, side and curtain airbags along with electronic stability control and electronic brake force distribution. Additionally, all A3 models come fitted with deadlocks, central locking and a theft alarm.

The 2.0 TFSI comes with a three year warranty with 60,000 miles. It incurs very high running costs falling under road tax band G and incurs high insurance premiums under insurance bracket 30, the highest in the Audi A3 range. With a weak fuel economy the car has poor green credentials with a EURO 5 emissions rating and a heavy carbon footprint of 164 g/km.

The 2.0 TFSI is priced at £22,065 but fails to deliver any additional driving technology to justify this. The market cost of the car is too high when compared with similar performance models and the poor fuel efficiency means running costs are expensive too.

That said, the 2.0 TFSI is a stylish, safe and proficient car and can be used comfortably for day to day tasks from school runs and grocery shopping to long road trips and holidays. The car has a well-crafted and reliable engine which gives years of trouble-free service. It continues to pay for itself as it enjoys good dealer services and resale values are high thanks to the reputation of the Audi brand.

However, car shoppers could find a more exclusive looking model with similar performance levels for the same cost if they looked elsewhere.