AT just £620 more than its hatchback sibling, Audi's A3 Sportback is well worth the extra cash.

This five-door version of the A3 went on sale in March and it is much more than just a stretched version of the firm's biggest seller.

Now in its third generation, the A3 accounts for roughly 30,000 UK sales each year and is available in three trims and a variety of engines.

I have been sampling the Sportback in SE trim with the 1.4 TFSI engine which costs £19,825 and is good value for money when you consider the quality of the product.

The longer wheelbase of the Sportback model not only provides more space - it also produces a much better more comfortable ride.

The five doors obviously make life much easier for passengers as well as providing extra head, and legroom. The rear is also a brighter place to be thanks to the extra side window.

And the extra window also helps the driver as visibility is improved thanks to the reduction in the thickness of the rear pillar.

The Sportback is also more versatile with 380 litres of boot space being available and 1,220 litres with the rear seats folded.  In addition the 75/25 rear split allows owners to still carry four passengers with increased load space.

As you would expect from Audi, the cabin features quality materials, soft plastics and clear and easy to use instruments and controls.

A retractable high-resolution monitor for the MMI (multi media interface) sits in the middle of the dash and is controlled from a panel that sits behind the gear lever. It also features an SD card based satnav system for an extra £495.

The 1.4 engine is one of the newest in the range and is a real gem. Quiet and refined it delivers power smoothly and efficiently. It takes the Sportback to 62mph in 9.5 seconds and has a top speed of 126mph with emissions of 123g/km.

I averaged well over 45mpg and the claimed combined figure is 52mpg. I think if you really tried you could probably match that figure especially if you were doing longer journeys.

I was really impressed by the ride and handling of the Sportback and its suspension dealt with our worst roads without fuss. The six-speed gearbox was a delight to use and the steering is nicely weighted with just the right amount of feel.

Strong brakes and bags of safety equipment complete the package along with stop/start technology and an electronic parking brake.

The option list is extensive and the test car had a final price of £23,015 but sadly a digital band radio was still not included.