A masterclass in how to put premium gloss on a humble hatchback, the latest Audi A3 Sportback combines angular and aggressive new styling with a swanky cabin bristling with the latest technology. The foundations beneath play it a little safer but Audi knows its customers and the style and content are enough to make it a desirable alternative to the equivalent BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The A3 is built on Volkswagen?s latest hatchback platform like the new Golf and, accordingly, is brimming with cutting edge driver assistance features and safety tech. As standard the A3 Sportback uses radar to scan the road ahead, warning you of potential hazards like pedestrians and cyclists if it thinks you haven?t spotted them and even applying the brakes if you don?t react. On the motorway the wheel buzzes to warn you if you?re drifting out of lane and will even nudge you back in if required.