Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 (A) vs Peugeot 308 1.2 (A) vs Volvo V40 T2 (A)

Contrary to popular belief, hatches can be more practical than sedans. They offer drivers the best of both worlds, combining modest dimensions with the added usability of a 'fifth door', which provides impressive cargo space.

Plus, these compact runabouts also tend to be more stylish and youthful than their sedan counterparts.

This month, we take a look at three European hatches, the Audi A3 Sportback, the Peugeot 308 and Volvo's new V40 T2.


Exterior

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication and the A3 Sportback represents this notion perfectly. In our opinion, not even the presence of its more progressively designed competition seems to have dented the Audi's visual appeal.

Despite being the most mature-looking of the three, the A3 Sportback's tautly curved surfaces and understated roof spoiler exude a sporty enough nature that will suit all occasions, whether you're rolling up to a black tie event or a house party.

Going against the usual French architecture, the 308's sheet metal speaks a completely different design language compared to Peugeot cars of old.

With a fresh and elegant look comprising of a smaller front grille, distinctive head light design and overall cleaner lines, the 308 has obviously ventured a step upmarket. 

Interior

Behind its five doors, the A3 Sportback's cabin is a well-constructed sanctuary that many will enjoy spending time in. Intuitively clean ergonomics are a classic Audi strength, especially the MMI operating system, which triumphs over the other two in terms of user-friendliness and quality.

Although the car with the four-ring emblem is the most expensive, costing $150,400 (as of 7^th January 2016), its beautifully built and designed cabin feels worthy of the tag. Our only gripe is the lack of a keyless entry start, otherwise found in the other two but that is a minor exchange for an otherwise near flawless cabin.


In the 308, cabin design is almost as tantalising as the Audi's but its construction was a giveaway of its lower asking price, $110,900 (as of 4^th February 2016). That's not to say that the panels feel cheaply put-together. The 308 feels like more emphasis was placed on form instead of function.

Firstly, depending on how tall you are and how low you sit, the instrument panel may be hidden from sight due to its abnormally small steering wheel.

The Drive

With a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine under the hood producing 123bhp and 200Nm of torque, the A3 Sportback goes from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds, making it the fastest of the lot. The Audi also does this in a wonderfully smooth and quiet fashion, proving to be the most refined car in this comparison.

Credit for this is Audi's well-mated seven-speed S-tronic transmission, which is decisive and responds well to every input of the throttle. Over undulations on the road, the A3 Sportback manages to keep up its pace with an equal amount of grace, in a way that few in its class can match. And for those with the need for speed, the German hatch is the only one among the three that comes with paddle shifters.


The 308, too, is armed with a suspension setup that provides a good balance of handling and comfort, but not quite as well as the A3. Still, this French hatch surprises with its ability to make decent turn-ins and agility in corners without much furore. However, it is the slowest one to hit the 100km/h mark from stop, completing the mission in 10.7 seconds.

That's because it has one cylinder less compared to the other two and it feels like a much punchier engine than claimed, pulling extremely well from low in the rev range with 129bhp and 230Nm of Parisian force.