Audi A3 Sportback review - how does premium hatchback compete against rivals? - MPG and running costs
Pragmatic Sportback is no more fun to drive than an A3
MPG and running costs
Only one conventionally powered A3 Sportback can dip below the 100g/km emissions barrier, and that’s the manual 1.6 TDI model at 99g/km. Thus, every other Sportback incurs some sort of VED cost, although the least green model – the 1.8 TFSI quattro – is in a still reasonable Band F at 149g/km, equating to £145 annual road tax.
The petrol Sportbacks return anything between 43.5- and 58.9mpg while the diesels achieve 60.1- to 74.3mpg; insurance groups are spread from 15 to 28; and the Benefit-in-Kind will be anything from 14 to 22 per cent. There are various service and maintenance packs for Audis that can be had from as little as £13 per month too.
However, if none of these numbers appeal, then the A3 Sportback e-tron will be your choice. It mates the 148bhp 1.4 TFSI petrol engine to a 101bhp electric motor to give 201bhp (and not 249bhp, more’s the pity), while delivering system maximum torque of 258lb ft. The e-tron has a 31-mile electric range, where it is limited to 80mph, but use the hybrid system to the full and it’ll crack 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds before going on to 137mph. This Sportback emits just 37g/km and can apparently do 176.6mpg (though not on any long journey). The cost is £29,950, including the Government’s £5,000 grant.
