Audi A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI Sport 5dr Pre-Model Car Review - February 2012

The 1.2 petrol engine gives the car decent power of 104 bhp at 5000 rpm with torque figures of 129 lb-ft at 1550-4100 rpm. The car delivers good mileage at 51.4 mpg as well as a strong performance for a family car with a top speed of 119 mph, going from 0-62 mph in a respectable 11.3 seconds.

However, this is no different to the standard A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI and the light steering makes controlling the car uncomfortable and insecure. Gear changes can sometimes be notchy and body control and grip are strong whilst noises from the wind and the road are audible but not excessive when driving.

Internally, the front seats are comfortable, fully adjustable and supportive. The dashboard is not systematically arranged, making it a little difficult for some drivers to clearly understand the function of instruments or tell buttons apart at a glance. The TFSI Sport model’s suspension also tends to jolt over bumpy roads, making driving uncomfortable.

The Audi A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI Sport looks very stylish for a medium family car with an attractive exterior and a well crafted and comfortable cabin. The car comes fitted with standard driving technology including stability control, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, MP3 connectivity, an advanced stereo system, and an alarm and immobiliser to deter theft.

In addition to the features of the standard TFSI, the TFSI Sport comes with climate control instead of air conditioning, MP3 connectivity, sports suspension and front sports seats. The addition of other features such as leather seats and satellite navigation are also cheaper in the Sport than the standard TFSI.

The Sportsback model comes fitted with five seats. As compared to the regular A1 and A3 models, Sportsback models have ample front and backseat room for average sized adults, making long drives comfortable for children and adult passengers. The Sportsback range is also equipped with a larger boot size (370 litres) than the other A1 and A3 models when the seats are in place, making it ideal for long travel purposes.

Essential for family cars, the Sportback 1.2 TFSI comes equipped with a top of the range safety kit with a five out of five NCAP rating. It 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 car also comes with a three year warranty with 60,000 miles. The TFSI Sport has similar running costs to the standard TFSI, coming under road tax band D and insurance bracket 14.

With a decent fuel economy, the car has good green credentials - with a EURO 5 emissions rating and a carbon footprint of 127g/km.

The Sportback 1.2 TFSI Sport is priced expensively at £19,185. The car delivers good mileage, performance and reliability in an attractive body work and has a well-crafted and reliable engine which gives years of trouble-free service. It is a safe and proficient car for first time buyers and families.

The car can be used comfortably for day to day tasks from school runs and grocery shopping to long road trips and holidays. It continues to pay for itself as it enjoys good dealer services alongside Audi’s excellent quality and reliability record. The combination of the car’s popularity, performance and the Audi brand give it excellent resale values and make it a good investment.

With a similar performance record to the standard TFSI, the larger price tag for the TFSI Sport brings with it a couple of additional driving technologies and sports suspension which only manages to improve the handling marginally.

It’s a value call for customers to decide if the additional features are worth the extra £2000 and for families it makes more sense to choose the standard 1.2 TFSI.