Audi A3 Sportback (hatchback) review - Carbuyer

The Audi A3 Sportback is a five-door version of the A3 hatchback. There's a bit more to it than that, however, as the Sportback is longer than the three-door, which helps free up a lot more rear legroom and a tiny bit more boot space. It's designed to rival the BMW 1 Series, the new Mercedes A-Classand the Volvo V40, and it actually trumps all of them for practicality. On top of that, it has the best interior in this class, featuring impeccable build quality and a very stylish design. From behind the wheel it's grown-up, comfortable and relaxing. Simply put, the Audi A3 Sportback is one of the best all-round models on sale.

[ApcaLyPSe]

These wheels : just no. 
But the car : YES!

[ACS]

100% Agree with you. The fact that the Leon has improved so much to the point that it is on par with the A3 and the Golf means that the only one you need is the Leon. The Leon FR 189bhp tdi is in my opinion, the best c seg hatchback on the market right now.

[samuelochola]

Mat you are fond of criticising cars based on Load Lip. However, I think the Load Lip is ingenious. If you have more load in the boot, it helps support any heavy load that moves around from putting pressure on the boot door.

[panagiac]

lol i laughted so hard when you jumped into the back of the car. Nice review dude

[SIMPLEGUYS]

my mom has this car and it is long lasting has great space and a secret storage compartment in the middle sit and we've had it since 2016

[SeyiB]

I've been waiting for mat to review this car for so long... Great Job

[TheMegaCONARTIST]

Beautiful car, well built, competition does not stand a chance. Quality in and out, brilliant!

[maxbg]

You said, you pay for this car more than for a VW only because of its badge, and I am wondering have you ever compared VW and Audi? That's entirely new world, something that you cannot compare. Everything is different and made with better quality than VW. Where VW has two screws, Audi has 4, everything is much much better, even noise protection is much better on Audi.

[carbuyer]

Mat here and I am first so no one else can be. ha ha ha....

[amanijacobs]

this isn't the SE model its the sport trim

[AudioGraphics]

3:25 he's Driving the Sport version not the SE

[benanderson]

No, you've done it backwards. The US gallon is smaller, therefore the total number would be higher.

54 Imperial Gallons is 64 US Metric Gallons.
approx. 0.8 imperial to 1 metric.
54 x 1.2 = approx. 64

[stefrider]

Thumbs up for the introduction of the sandwich, witch is a pleasant new edition to the Car Buyer's cabin storage test :)

[KuldarJ]

IS THAT MAT WATSON FROM CARWOW???!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
damn he hasn't changed at all

[SwPiotrek]

Great review Mat.
Your review fits perfectly to this car.

[Robin_R.]

I wonder if you are going to have an Audi A3 Saloon review

[matamatem]

my mother drives a 2008 B 150 and she loves it for several reasons:
1) comfortable seats
2) high driving position thus better visibility
3) VERY light power steering
4) rear seats r spacious
5) other things which u may get in other cars as front and rear parking sensors and panoramic sunroof :D
P.S. the only thing i dislike about this car is -how to say it- its steering diameter, which may put u in awkward situations (e.g.in narrow U-Turns)
hope this helps in taking ur

[bonkle_boi]

I'm talking about gearheads, not people like you who think "cars are to be safe". driving a RWD car along a twisty road is much more satisfying than driving a FWD car, because for reasons that cannot be explained, oversteer is far more enjoyable than understeer :D Now, i'm not saying that i'm a dumbass that drifts all around my city, but that slight sensation of the rear end letting go, and PUSHING you around the corner as you accelerate, is what brings a smile to the face of those who ENJOY cars

[impulsemediauk]

Have you even driven or compared the new one to the old one? A world of difference. I have the new A3. The golf is ridiculous, you have to strain your eyes to work out if its the new one or not. The new A3 shape has changed quite a bit when you see it on the road - the same can't be said for the Golf (with its cheap interior).

[micul]

This is like over 12 years now. I'm only bothered about the statement you said, that audi A3 and VW Golf are the same car under the skin. You couldn't be more wrong. Audi, in general, are built from way better materials, and their soundproofing is a totally different game and level. Audi is in the premium segment. Volkswagen is in standard. But I hope you've learned that by now