
Audi A3 TFSI e
Depending on what you read, the days of non-electric smaller hatchbacks may well be coming to an end far sooner that any government imposed ban is implemented. The Fiesta is no more, the Focus is rumoured to be following and the evergreen Golf’s days could well be numbered.
Audi don’t currently offer a fully electric family hatch – the VAG covers those bases with the VW ID.3 and the Cupra Born. What they do offer is the Golf-based A3; a nameplate that’s been around for a good couple of decades now.

It’s not just a hatchback, it’s a Sportback
The ‘normal’ A3 is no hatchback though, apparently. Audi’s sexed things up a bit by renaming it the A3 Sportback – the saloon is still called a saloon, in case you were wondering. Electric the A3 may not be but that doesn’t mean it’s totally stuck in the past. This is the A3 TFSI e, and it may come as no surprise that that little e stands for electric because this is a plug-in hybrid.
There’s three specs to choose from within the A3 TFSI e range; Sport, S line & S line competition – they’re all Sportbacks, there’s no hybrid saloon currently. Audi has been using a numbering system to grade the power output of their cars for a few years now and the Sport and S line variants slot into the 40 category – the Competition is a grade higher at 45. They all come with the same 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder TFSI engine we’ve become accustomed to, it’s just now it’s mated to a 75kW electric motor. They combine to give 202bhp in the 40 versions, 242bhp in the 45, all driving the front wheels via a 6-speed S tronic gearbox; there’s no manual option as it’s a PHEV.

Three specs, two power options
Our test car is the S line and its 202bhp will get you from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds; not quite the 3.8s the RS3 manages but quick enough for most situations. Being a PHEV, the A3 Sportback does have electric-only capability and Audi claim it’ll do 36 miles before the petrol engine has to kick in, we got closer to 27 miles but it was fairly chilly during our time with the car.
Being the S line spec, it comes with sport suspension and 18″ alloys as standard. The ride isn’t harsh by any means; it absorbs bumps well and the handling is sharp and predictable. If comfort is your ultimate priority, though, you may want to forego the S line in favour of the Sport which comes with 17″ wheels and, somewhat ironically, standard suspension.

Audi know a thing or two about interiors
Inside the A3 you’ll find one of, if not the most attractive, well-built interiors in any hatchback on sale today. Audi has established a reputation for classy, understated cabins and just because the A3 is one of their smaller models, that clearly doesn’t mean they’re prepared to dilute what’s a winning formula. The seats in our S line spec car are leather as standard, adjustable in a multitude of ways and, if you go for the £1,395 Technology Pack they’re heated too. Just a shame the steering wheel isn’t heated too.

Audi’s still impressive Virtual Cockpit comes as standard equipment on all A3 hybrids in 10.25 inch guise. The central infotainment screen is 10.1 inches and thankfully hasn’t been ruined by that current VAG trend; haptic buttons for the heater controls. It’s hi-res, angled towards the driver and easy to navigate your way around.
Why go for the PHEV A3, though?
So, why choose the A3 TFSI e over a ‘normal’ A3? After all, at a shade over £35k starting price it’s over £8k more than the cheapest A3. Well, as with any hybrid, it comes down to economy. You see, the official figures for the A3 PHEV are nearly 257 (yes, two hundred and fifty seven) mpg on the combined cycle whilst emitting just 26g/km CO2 (the Competition’s figures suffer slightly due to increased performance). That’s despite all of the electrical gubbins adding around 300kg to the mix.
What that means is, even if it’s not quite as squeaky clean in the real world as it is on paper, the A3 TFSI e is going to be very tax-friendly and that’ll suit everyone, especially company car users.

Should I buy an A3 Sportback TFSI e?
The Audi A3 has always been one of the most upmarket, well-rounded medium family hatches on sale, and this hybrid version is no different. Audi has done well to steer away from certain VAG pitfalls and that makes this car hard to fault. Just make sure you get a decent deal on the price whether you’re leasing or buying as it doesn’t come cheap.
By Ben Harrington
2023 Audi A3 Sportback TFSI e S line Specifications:
Engine – 1.4-l petrol & 75kw electric motor, Transmission – 6-speed S tronic, Layout – Front engine, FWD, Power – 202bhp, Emissions – 26g/km CO2, Economy – 256.8mpg, Maximum Speed – 141mph, Acceleration – 7.1s – 0-62mph
The 2023 Audi A3 Sportback TFSI e is available now, priced from £35,195. For full details go to:www.audi.co.uk


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