Audi A3 1.8 Ambition vs Mercedes-Benz A200

The entry level A3 -- which shares an engine and much else with the $23K Golf -- is $35,600. This variant comes in Ambition spec. Though decently equipped, it cries out for one or more option packs. We'd take the active safety kit at $1800 and the $2990 Technik packs with satnav et al. Then you're at $50K on-road.  

Strange days have found us -- a Benz that beats rivals on value. The A200 undercuts the A3 and has standard Bluetooth streaming, reversing camera, self-parking software, cruise, auto lights and wipers and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

You don't see the aluminium and weight-saving materials but you'll benefit at the fuel pump. Here's another great direct injection turbo petrol four. The 1.8 TFSI puts out 132kW/250Nm for a 7.3sec sprint time and 5.6L/100km long after the latter had dried up. Seven-speed twin clutch auto is standard.

This 1.6-litre turbo four is more than adequate, its 115kW/250Nm good for an 8.3sec sprint to 100km/h and 6.1L/100km. Both cars need premium juice. The seven-speed twin-clutch auto's not as crisp as Audi's. Also has a range of packs.

Exterior's a non-event -- you need to look thrice to appreciate the differences over the previous generation -- but inside is a triumph. Less overt than the Benz, it's a compact take on one of Audi's bigger luxury devices. Like the Benz, the hero feature are big circular air nozzles.

You could stick a tristar on a shopping trolley and it'd sell. Indeed, that happened with the previous A-Class. This, however, looks great, though the stylish lines come at the cost of a high sill line and vision shrouding rear pillars. A wonderful interior.

A five-star crash test recipient, the A3 has the solidity and sense of on-road security familiar from the recent VW Group compact cars. Advanced blind spot detection function's a highlight of the optional safety pack. The A3's dynamics are its best active safety feature.

Nine airbags are standard, along with a rear-end crash avoidance system, drowsiness detection software and the Pre-Safe set-up that primes the car if it senses an accident is about to happen. The B-Class, based on the same platform, has five stars.

Think of the A3 as a smallish, five-door grand tourer rather than hot hatch and you'll grasp its drive character. Steering's light but that's unlikely to trouble potential buyers. Straight-line pull is emphatic, all that fat torque lobbing at 1200rpm.

The A200 lacks the A3's acceleration and generally more compliant ride. Its twin-clutch auto lacks the progressiveness and flexibility of the Audi, being apt to climb too high in the range too fast. At least you can left-foot brake it.