Audi is well-known for a few characteristics, but technology is fast becoming a real biggie. The German carmaker is at the front of the march when it comes to crystal clear sat-nav, easy-to-use infotainment and brain-melting car audio; so perhaps it’s no surprise that tech is the biggest area of change for the new A3.

The most popular can in Audi’s range, the five-door Sportback might look pretty similar to before, with sharper lights and some restyled bumpers, but inside there’s improved kit to help you stay better connected and safer than ever.

Performance

We tried the best-selling engine combo in the range, the 2.0-litre diesel with 148bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular, with effortless pull from most revs and a decent turn of speed, particularly in third and fourth gear, where you can take full advantage of its 340Nm of torque and overtake slower traffic with ease.

This engine is excellent on the motorway too, offering impressive refinement and really coming into its own for performance and economy. If you plan on covering a lot of miles, you’ll need a convincing argument against this engine. Of course, you could also ally it with Audi’s six-speed S tronic automatic, which shouldn’t blunt performance and is an especially good choice if you spend lots of time in traffic.

There aren’t many changes to the diesel engines for the 2016 facelift, but if you fancy an alternative, there are two new petrol options; a 1.0-litre with 113bhp and a 187bhp 2.0-litre turbo. No sniggering at the back, the 1.0-litre is mighty impressive despite its bottle-of-water dimensions.

Ride and Handling

The A3 Sportback feels tuned to be at its most relaxing on the motorway and in town

The best way to describe the A3’s handling is probably ‘vice free’, with plenty of grip and almost no body roll, never mind any wayward characteristics which might catch you out. But, it also feels tuned to be at its most relaxing on the motorway and in town, so it never really comes alive along a flowing B-road. This isn’t a car you’ll take out just for fun. Of course, this won’t be an issue for the majority of owners, but if you want a high level of involvement, the BMW 1 Series is a better bet. What’s less subjective is the ride, which can be pretty firm in S line trim cars with 18-inch alloy wheels. If that’s the trim you go for, we’d recommend the free option to ditch the lowered S line suspension, because the softer setup should be a lot smoother.

Interior and Equipment

Choose the optional Technology Package and the A3 gets a three-year subscription to Audi Connect, which uses an embedded SIM card to offer features including media streaming and traffic updates across Europe.

The A3 really does have a lovely cabin, with upmarket materials and precise switchgear almost everywhere you look. Of course, the latest version is dominated by tech, with Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit becoming the first digital dash in any family hatch. It replaces the traditional instruments with the same info-laden display found in the R8 V10 Plus supercar. Audi has also included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, which is almost certainly the future of how most people will connect with their cars to listen to music, make calls and navigate. It was easy to setup and use, even if you do have to get used to flitting between Audi’s MMI user interface and Android or Apple’s fairly often. There’s some new safety tech too, with optional Traffic Jam Assist to take over low speed steering, accelerating and braking in heavy traffic. Owner’s should also appreciate Audi’s rear cross-traffic assist, designed to help prevent bumps when reversing out of parking spaces.

Cost

With a starting price of just under £20k, the A3 undercuts the 1 Series slightly

The 2.0-litre diesel we tested is a great all-rounder, with economy rated at 65.7mpg with 18-inch wheels fitted (70.6mpg with 16-inch alloys), and CO2 emissions of 109g/km placing it in a low tax band. During our testing we found a figure of over 60mpg was quite easily obtainable if you headed onto the motorway, with mid-50s more likely during A-road driving. With a starting price of just under £20k, the A3 undercuts the 1 Series slightly, but the 2.0-litre TDI in S Line trim will set you back around £27k.

Our Verdict

If you spend a lot of time on the road and really value a first-rate interior and the requisite modern tech, the A3 Sportback is a very convincing all-rounder. It can’t quite compete with the 1 Series for driving fun, but for many people, this simply won’t be an issue. The market for family hatchbacks has never been more competitive.