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Audi, Executive saloon, Motoring

A3 an excellent blend of luxury and practicality

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Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline

By Bill McCarthy

Marketing history proves that premium status can be bought or engineered. A well-known lager trading itself as reassuringly expensive, weaponised high pricing to signal quality, while Audi’s iconic “Vorsprung durch Technik” delivered a message of technical innovation.

Both cemented luxury reputations, showing consumers will pay more for emotional prestige or German engineering. While the lager ad then fell away, the Audi motto is still strong in the world of touchscreens, EVs and AI.

The A3 stands out as an aspirational premium brand that, while expensive, does not cost a fortune, unless you pack in the pricey extras. This compact saloon offers the iconic four-ring badging, premium quality, practicality and excellent fuel economy. A newer version is imminent, but this model retains strong appeal for those seeking understated luxury and fine engineering.

Exterior styling

It is a smart, sleek vehicle sporting the signature four rings and trapezoidal LED headlights flanking a wider, slimmer grille. Finished in optional Ascari Blue metallic, the colour highlights sharp creases and muscular haunches. It also features 18-inch ‘5-twin-spoke’ alloy wheels. S line specification adds aluminium window trims, body-coloured mirrors, while privacy glass adds sophistication.

Interior quality and technology

The sport seats are wrapped in Twin Leather with an embossed ‘S’ logo, finished in black with grey stitching. They come heated with 4-way lumbar support as standard, alongside aluminium trim, illuminated ‘S’ door sills, a black cloth headliner, and ambient lighting.

In place of the old Virtual Cockpit is a touchscreen and a digital display for the driver. If you go for the Technology Pack at £1,395, it throws in a bigger 10.1-inch navigation screen, Audi Connect for three years, plus wireless charging with a handy illuminated phone box.

The SONOS 3D system is top-notch and comes as standard, and you can grab extra apps through the onboard store. Better still, ‘Functions on Demand’ means you can add new features later on, even after you’ve driven it home.

Practicality

Interior space is generous with good legroom, though rear seats are slightly cramped. Boot space is adequate for daily needs, offering 425 litres, and the split-folding rear seats extend capacity when required. The Storage Pack (£180) adds useful cubbies, while rear USB charging ports keep passengers connected.

On the road performance

On the road, the fun begins. The 1.5-litre mild hybrid four-cylinder TFSI may read modestly on paper, but with 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque through the slick seven-speed S tronic gearbox, it punches above its weight. The 0–62 mph sprint takes 8.1 seconds – not scorching, but enough to keep things interesting as it slips seamlessly through the cogs.

In Sport mode, throttle response sharpens, the standard sports suspension firms, and the engine emits a gratifying snarl. That suspension is firm enough and claimed to be compliant enough to avoid jarring – though in practice it does jar, so standard mode is more comfortable for everyday driving. Sport mode proved essential, however, carving through the twisting lanes of the Derbyshire Peaks.

The car feels agile and composed, dispatching hairpins with ease. Steering is sharp, well-weighted and precise, allowing exact placement corner after corner. Grip is on hand when needed most. On the motorway, it’s a refined cruiser, though tyre noise is noticeable. Overtaking is simple, with 250 Nm of torque delivering instant response. The powertrain offers effortless flexibility around town and on open roads.

Safety is comprehensively covered as standard with full airbags, adaptive cruise control, Audi pre sense front, traffic sign recognition, hill-hold assist, lane departure warning with emergency assist, and intersection assist. Park Assist with parking aid Plus and a rear view camera make manoeuvring effortless.

Economy and emissions

Economy is excellent. WLTP combined fuel consumption is 52.5 mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 122 g/km. With some aggressive driving, I didn’t reach that figure, with around 47mpg showing. The 50-litre fuel tank provides generous range, making this a practical choice for commuting and longer journeys.

Verdict

The A3 Saloon offers a typical Audi blend of style, quality, performance and efficiency. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, the interior is generally top notch, and the saloon body style offers a traditional alternative to the sportback. At £38,130 (including options), it represents strong value, and with decent levels of standard equipment and attractive extras packs, this A3 proves that good things really can come in small packages.

Factfile

  • Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline
  • Price: £38,130 (as tested) 
  • Engine: 1,498cc turbo petrol, 150PS, driving front wheels via a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission 
  • Max Speed: 144 mph 
  • 0-62 mph: 8.1 seconds 
  • Combined MPG: 52.5 
  • CO2 Emissions: 122 g/km 
  • Insurance group: 23 (est) 
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles 
Motoring, SUV, Volkswagen

VW still a polished performer

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Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 eTSI

By Bill McCarthy

Volkswagen’s T-Roc has been a smart, compact SUV since it hit the roads– and the new 2026 version is no different. Well, actually, it is. The latest version comes with a revised design inside and out, a significant increase in size and interior space, new drivetrain options, and the latest Volkswagen technologies and assistance systems.

Exterior design

The T-Roc has been a massive success for Volkswagen, with over two million sold since 2017. This new model sits on the latest MQB evo platform, bringing clever chassis and tech upgrades from its bigger siblings – including ‘big car’ assistance systems like Travel Assist and Park Assist Pro (optional on Style and R-Line).

It’s 122 millimetres longer, with a stretched wheelbase, and you feel the difference the moment you climb in. The exterior is clean and modern, with a stylish, dynamic profile.

I spent a week in the Life trim, the entry point to the range. It’s not the flashiest but it ticks most boxes, especially on price. Standard 17-inch alloys and understated body styling give it a neat, tidy look that ages well.

LED headlights are standard, and I really like the illuminated Volkswagen badge and light arrays at both ends. At night, it glows and gives the whole car a premium feel – the kind of detail that makes you turn back for a second glance after parking up

Interior and practicality

Step inside, and the improvements are obvious. The previous T-Roc had a cabin that felt a bit low rent in places, with harsher plastics. Not anymore. Materials are noticeably better, and everything you touch feels solid – the steering wheel, gear selector, door pulls – all with that reassuring Volkswagen heft. No noticeable creaks or rattles. It feels built to last.

The tech is a big step forward too. There’s an eight-inch digital cockpit and a huge 12.9-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash, controlling everything from an upgraded infotainment to smartphone connectivity and nav capability, giving a premium feel to the interior

The extra size also pays off in practicality. There’s more rear legroom, more shoulder space, and a boot that’s grown to 475 litres – 1,350 litres with the seats folded. I shifted a ton of stuff on a couple of tip runs – not bad for something that still looks compact. The rear backrest is a bit upright, but for most journeys, it’s fine.

Powertrain and performance

There are two eTSI mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol engines, with outputs of 116 PS and 150 PS. Driven here is the more powerful version, which features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This gives a torque boost when pulling away and lets the car coast with the engine off at speed.

The official 0–62 time is 8.9 seconds, but it feels quicker. Off the mark, it’s genuinely sprightly, and the seven-speed DSG kicks down with real urgency when overtaking – especially in Sport mode. The car feels eager, willing, and more responsive than its power output suggests.

Cylinder deactivation helps economy too. Under light load, it shuts off two cylinders, and I saw 45–50 mpg across a variety of roads – impressive for a petrol SUV.

On the road

The standard suspension and 17-inch alloys soak up bumps and potholes comfortably except on the worst of roads.

On the road, the T-Roc handles exactly as you’d expect from Volkswagen. Steering is well-weighted and direct, plenty of grip, and body roll is kept in check despite the higher ride height. It’s not a Golf GTI – it doesn’t pretend to be – but it strikes a fine balance between comfort and agility. The cabin is quiet too, with most wind and tyre noise kept outside.

It’s predictable, safe, and easy to place on the road. You don’t have to think about it – and sometimes that’s the highest praise you can give. On testing country lanes in the Peak District, it performed admirably, gripping well on tight bends and offering good steering feedback.

Safety and assistance systems

Standard safety kit includes Front Assist with autonomous emergency braking, Lane Assist, and a rear-view camera. Optional Travel Assist – available on Style and R-Line – combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping for semi-autonomous motorway driving, while Park Assist Pro handles steering, acceleration, and braking for parallel and bay parking. 

Value for money

The Life trim starts at around £31,635, which feels reasonable. But this model, with a few extras – the Technology Pack, Winter Pack, upgraded LED Plus headlights, and ambient lighting – came in at £37,795. That’s a big jump, and it puts the T-Roc in seriously competitive territory.

For that money, you’re looking at capable rivals from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, and Mazda – many of which undercut the Volkswagen on price and offer longer warranties. You’re paying for that badge, build quality, and solid German feel. If you want the most kit for the least cash, the Koreans and now the Chinese are the ones to beat. If you want the nicest place to sit and the most polished driving experience, the T-Roc is a fine offering.

Verdict

The T-Roc won Best Small SUV at the 2026 What Car? Awards, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s bigger, better built, and more efficient than the car it replaces. It feels quicker than it should, looks the part, and upholds the build quality that’s made me a fan of the brand for years. It’s not cheap, and the competition is fierce – but if you can stretch to it, the T-Roc makes a strong case.

Factfile

  • Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 eTSI Life
  • Price: £37,795 (as tested with options); from £33,700 OTR
  • Mechanical: 150 PS, 1,498cc, 4cyl turbocharged petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid system, driving front wheels via 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox
  • Max speed: 132 mph
  • 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds
  • Economy: 45-51 mpg (WLTP combined)
  • CO2 emissions: 128 g/km
  • Insurance group: 16-19
  • BIK rating: 31%
  • Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles