Follow me on twitter @DanielCalbacho

The first impression

You know when you hear rave reviews about a new restaurant, and you have to go? Your friends offer the same exuberate reviews as the press, both dishing out a Smartie box of descriptive superlatives. So you go and you are like, what was all the fuss about? It was just mediocre.

Well this isn’t one of those times.

The A3 recently won the prestigious title of World Car of the Year 2014, a title comparable to an Oscar, Emma or Grammy, only for the car world.

The A3 has a lineage that began in 1996 with the first A3. It was a pioneer, introducing premium quality to the compact hatch market. The second A3 was rather revolutionary by comparison, and a great success as a result, adding a four-door Sportback to the line-up. The current shape launched in 2012 may appear more evolutionary in evolvement to its predecessor, but under the skin lies something far more radical – and I think it is the benchmark in its class.

2013 saw the addition of the best looking A3, the sedan. Adding to the line-up of coupe hatch, Sportback hatch, sedan and cabriolet.

Sedans seem to be making a comeback. The A3 sedan’s proportions are compact, yet perfectly measured. The front of the car looks familiar, featuring the same Bauhaus lines as the rest of the A3 family. The rear of the car is its most exciting feature. By comparison to clothing, the A3 sedan is like a fitted suit, nipped in the waist and shorter in length. The overall look is youthful and tailored, it is fashionably perfected.

On the road

Looks are a subjective thing and though I approve, the true overwhelming success of this car is in its drive. Winning the title of World Car of the Year is an accolade given after stringent assessment and evaluation, so not to be taken lightly.

My assessment is perhaps rudimentary by comparison but probably similar to how, you the reader, would experience the car.

The 1.4 TFSI manual sedan can best be described as polished. Everything about the car is precise; levels of refinement and quality are the same as you would find in the larger and pricier A4. The 1.4 TFSI engine doesn’t sound like it offers galloping appealing, but it isn’t to be underestimated. On paper it develops an adequate 92kW, which is enough pony pulling power to cart you around without being left in the dust. In Efficient mode, which genuinely offers frugality, the A3’s fuel consumption levels ranged from sub 5 litres and up to late 6’s per 100km. It is one of the rare times that I was able to match figures claimed by the brand.

Pop the Drive Select mode into Dynamic and the steering tightens, the throttle response from the accelerator and engine awakens, and off you dart, hitting the 100km/h mark in a sprightly 9.3 seconds.

Whatever mode is selected, you notice the quiet and efficient way in which the A3 goes about getting its job done. The 6-speed gear box is perfection, which is a good thing, because you will be using it frequently. Being a small capacity engine requires working it for optimum performance, done via a slick sliding manual.

The ride of the A3 is biased towards comfort without losing its sporty edge, much like the rest of the car’s character. Audi wants its executive customers to stay composed and unflustered while nipping around corners with unfussed agility.

On the inside, Audi have redefined the dashboard. It’s clean and simple in its look, while leaving out nothing. It is ergonomic genius, setting a tone of what I presume others will hopefully follow.

What I liked

• Tailored styling
• Best in class interior
• High levels of refinement – engine, gearbox and ride
• Good levels of accommodation
• Frugality

What I’m not mad about

• You are required to actively change gears regularly. Good thing the gearbox is a beautiful thing to use.

The figures

The extra stuff

The Audi A3 sedan comes standard with a 1 year unlimited warranty as well as a 5 year/100 000km maintenance plan as standard. The A3 scored five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test.

The verdict

The A3 sedan has arrived at just the right time. People are tightening their belts, cost cutting and getting rid of excess. The A3 sedan is the perfect compact executive vehicle for those looking to upgrade from a smaller hatch or slide down the ladder from a larger sedan or SUV. The heritage of the brand would suggest that as a pioneer, the rest are sure to follow in the niche Audi has carved.

Funnily enough, the A3 sedan competes with its bigger brother, the A4. The entry level A4 1.8TS model offers fantastic value within its segment, but to be honest I believe it is outclassed by the A3 sedan. But if having a larger cabin and cargo space is a priority, the A4 is your next best choice.

The BMW 3-Series though not a direct competitor, is a necessary for listing, based on its competitive price point. The range is highly competent, albeit the 316i features budget friendly mags and a uni-exhaust that lacks the polished ‘execu-chic’ of the A3 sedan.

The CLA is the A3 sedan’s direct competition. It’s bold in design and very fashionable. It’s a trend car, and with that title a love or hate appeal. The CLA features a firm sporty suspension setting, the pro - playful dynamic handling, and the con – compromised and potentially uncomfortable ride in daily commuting.

The A3 sedan is the leader of this pack and the car my money would go on.

A3 Sedan weblink