Should you buy one?

We can heartily recommend the A3 Saloon if you’re in the market for a premium, but small, executive-style car. It looks and feels just as grown up as more expensive Audis, and has an interior that gives a wow factor.

A Mercedes A-Class Saloon has a flasher interior, though, while a BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe is a touch better to drive. The A3 Saloon is the happy medium between these two.

If you dig the looks, this is a no brainer. But if you’re on the fence about them, a regular A3 does much the same job but is a bit cheaper and a smidge more practical because of the hatchback boot.

The 35 TDI offers the best bang for buck in our opinion. But the 35 TFSI is equally as good if you can’t justify a diesel. The cheaper, less powerful petrol and diesel options are fine, but feel a bit so-so in a premium brand.

Watch out on the options too – not all cars come with reversing cameras, and things like the Bang & Olufsen stereo can pump up the list price.