Audi A3 Sportback Review: The Daily Driver That Outclasses—and Outprices—itself

I possibly just came from driving the best daily driver that you shouldn’t buy. The Audi A3 Sportback S line is one of those cars that reminds you why people love Audi in the first place. It looks undeniably refined, especially in the Ascari Blue finish with grey decals I had on test. Though if I were speccing it myself, I’d go all black with the same decals for a sleeker look. Out on the road, it turns heads. A few people even mistook it for an RS3, which says a lot about how aggressive the S line package makes it appear. A friend of mine, who drives a BMW M135, admitted he preferred the Audi’s styling. And that’s the company this car keeps: the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class, and VW Golf GTI.

But beyond the comparisons, what struck me straight away was the feel. It’s nimble, easy to live with, and has that unmistakable “daily driver” character that makes it instantly likeable.

Exterior Design: Aggressive and Unmistakably Audi

No one does LED lighting quite like Audi. In fact, you can even customise how the lights look, choosing from four different light designs. The A3 Sportback S line wears its light signature proudly, and whether it’s the animated “dance” when you unlock the car or the sheer sharpness of the rear lights, the effect is instant attitude. The lights alone give the car an aggressive face, but the S line body kit adds even more edge. With its crisp lines, sharp angles, and motorsport-inspired touches, like the vertical detailing on the front spoiler, the A3 looks lean, modern, and sporty from every angle.

I especially liked the boomerang-style elements on the grille, front air intakes (even if they’re closed), and rear bumper, which all tie the design together. The 5-spoke diamond-cut wheels suit it perfectly, reinforcing that premium hot hatch vibe. And while many rivals love fake exhausts, Audi skipped them altogether, closing off the rear bumper instead, and somehow it still looks better for it.

This specific test car had extra personality thanks to decals on the doors and an additional Audi logo on the C-pillar, something you don’t see every day. Even the four rings on the front are now seamlessly integrated into the grille, giving the A3 a more futuristic identity. Against its rivals, the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class, the Audi comes across as the most premium and cohesive of the lot.

Interior: Driver-Focused

Audi hasn’t reinvented the A3 interior, and some might call it dated, and in certain areas, it is. That said, it feels like a racer’s home: everything is oriented toward the driver. The cockpit immediately gives you that driver-centric vibe, and the steering wheel is a joy to hold; wrapped in leather with red stitching and an S line badge, giving a subtle sporty touch. There are no touch-sensitive buttons on the wheel, and the layout avoids clutter, which earns extra points in my book.

Where the interior loses some ground is in materials. Audi has tried to balance premium and practicality, but hard plastics are visible just below the windows, and the seats feature artificial leather and what Audi calls “pulse cloth.” To be fair, the cloth is comfortable and can be specced with accent colours, but it doesn’t scream luxury. The piano black centre console is a fingerprint magnet and scratches easily, which is frustrating in a car at this price point.

Space is another compromise. There are two cupholders up front, but the centre storage isn’t very deep, and the door bins feel a little cramped. The back seats are reasonably comfortable for short trips, but don’t expect the same generosity you’d get in a larger hatchback or sedan.

Overall, it’s a mixed bag: the A3’s interior feels sporty and driver-oriented, but it falls short in material quality and practical space.

Tech & Features: Basic Out The Box

Tech in the A3 is a mix of standard and optional features. You get a wireless charger tucked neatly in front, plus two USB-C ports in both the front and back. Heated and cooled seats, electrically adjustable seats, an electric tailgate, and the parking camera all come as optional extras. The 360-degree camera is not included, which I think is criminal by today’s standards, even for a car this size, it’s a must-have. Cruise control is optional too.

The infotainment touchscreen is intuitive and responsive, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work smoothly. A heads-up display isn’t included, but the system keeps navigation and media simple and easy to use. The panoramic sunroof, automatic lights and wipers, and ambient lighting make the cabin feel premium. Audi’s ambient lighting is very customisable, even along the side doors, giving the interior a personalised touch.

Park assist scans for parking spaces and helps with reversing, and the Sonos sound system thumps nicely. Combined with the A3’s nimble handling, it makes driving both city commutes and weekend escapes genuinely fun.

Performance & Drive: A Fun Daily Driver

You can’t fault Germans for how their cars drive, and the Audi A3 proves it. This is a car that’s easy to drive, but more than that, it’s genuinely fun to drive. I grew up as the child who would watch other cars pass us by because my dad is a very conservative driver. The moment he drove this A3, he was trigger-happy, because this car invites that kind of enjoyment.

The throttle response, nimbleness, and suspension all work together perfectly. On paper, it might not look like much: a 1.4L turbo engine with 110kW (150 hp) and 250Nm of torque, but in practice, it pulls impressively. Whether in Dynamic, Auto, Comfort, or even Efficiency mode, it never feels sluggish.

Fuel consumption is excellent. Most times, I averaged 8–9L/100km, but only because I couldn’t resist pushing this car. One day, for review purposes, I decided to drive the A3 as someone who’s driving to go somewhere, not someone driving to enjoy it, and I averaged 6.6L/100km, which is pretty great. The A3 balances performance with comfort and handling, making it a premium hatchback that delivers both fun and usability in one package.

Price: Few Will Experience It

Price will make most people flinch and honestly, it should. The A3 Sportback S Line starts at R808,200, and for that, you don’t even get basics like an electric tailgate or heated and ventilated seats.

For me, the price casts a dark shadow over an otherwise great car, bringing me back to the statement: this is the best daily driver you cannot buy. At this cost, you’re stepping into premium mid-SUV territory, and depending on the brand (looking at you, Chinese SUVs), you could get a lot more space and features for the same money.

This isn’t to say Audi is a bad brand: the build quality, design, and driving experience are excellent, but the hatchback market has become a hard sell. Many competitors hover around this price point, which makes you question why buy a hatchback at all?

That said, if you don’t care that it’s not the best value and you just want the A3 Sportback S Line, you will enjoy every rand spent. You know what you’re getting, and it will put a smile on your face, no doubt about it.

Final Scorecard: 7/10

Category	Rating out of 10	Notes
Design	9	Aggressive yet refined exterior, amazing LED lights, S line kit, boomerang grille, diamond-cut wheels, tasteful decals, no fake exhausts, premium hatchback feel.
Performance	8.5	1.4L turbo, 110 kW, 250 Nm torque, very fun to drive, nimble, responsive suspension, great steering, good fuel efficiency when driven sensibly.
Tech & Features	6	Intuitive touchscreen, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, Sonos sound system, wireless charger, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, but many options require extra, no 360 camera, no HUD.
Drive	8.5	Excellent daily driver, easy to handle, responsive throttle, great for city and highway, enjoyable driving experience, comfortable for short trips.
Price	3	Starting at R808,200, base spec lacks convenient options, poor value for a hatchback compared to premium mid SUVs, price overshadows great driving experience.