WHERE the Audi A3 is concerned, a panel of the UK’s most accomplished motoring experts have collectively reached the same conclusion as tens of thousands of UK Audi customers – they believe that it is the pick of the class, and have rubber stamped their decision by honouring it with a coveted 2014 UK Car of the Year Award.

The plaudits which led to the Best Small Hatch Award for the Audi A3 came from the 27-strong UK Car of the Year judging panel, which comprises a broad spectrum of leading motoring journalists from across the industry. All judges write for a range of digital and print media outlets that have the potential to reach more than 80 million consumers a month.

Commenting on the winning formula that has now been carried over to the sleek new A3 Saloon, accomplished freelance writer and design expert, Nargess Shamanesh Banks said: “Audi has balanced the proportions perfectly with the A3 Saloon, without taking away the close relationship with its hatch sibling,” while editor-in-chief of Autotrader Jon Quirk added: “Great image and residuals, combined with big car refinement and technology; the A3 would make downsizing a pleasure.”

Further praise for the “no-nonsense, everyday practicality, combined with peerless build quality and superior ergonomics” came from respected writer Anthony Ffrench-Constant, while Editor of Fleet World Steve Moody called the Audi A3 Sportback “the small hatch most buyers aspire to, and most manufacturers want to copy.”