We’re reaching an interesting point in the evolution of the car and it is as well you are aware of it. If you like your car because it handles well, is comfortable, quick and refined, don’t rush to congratulate yourself. Almost all cars sold today possess these once rare attributes. We have reached the stage where most cars can be thought of as good. And to me that means being good is no longer good enough.

So I knew the Audi A3 would be a good car before I sat in it. Its looks may be derivative but Audi is a company at the top of its game and it would be naive to think that this new A3 would represent anything less than a substantial leap forward on the still strong-selling car it replaces.

And, despite the familiarity of its appearance, it is an entirely new car and the first to use the new VW platform upon which the next generation Golf, Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia will also be based. It’s a little bigger inside and out and comes with a range of engines from a humble 1.6 to a mighty 3.2 litre 250bhp unit. In between there are two diesels — one distinctly underwhelming 1.9 litre 105bhp and a much more promising 2 litre 140bhp motor — and one petrol, a 2 litre 150bhp engine which is the car we’ll concentrate on here.

The good news is that Audi’s legendary construction quality has been carried over. Whether you look at the materials or the way they are screwed together, the car is beyond serious fault. The interior is beautifully laid out, too, in that slightly sombre but ever so stylish way that has become a hallmark of Audi design. Sit behind the wheel and all appears well with the world — the car feels senior, grown-up in a way its fiercest rival, the irredeemably ugly BMW Compact, simply does not.

And so it proves on the road. You note first the exceptional ride quality but probably only because this is an area in which Audi has struggled to meet the standards of the class best for years. No longer. In this regard, the A3 now sets that standard. The car is also exceptionally refined, so much so that you have to remind yourself that, size-wise, it sits in the same class as the Vauxhall Astra.

It’s spacious enough in the front, back and boot, though a five-door model will not be available until the end of next year and will be more like a small estate than a hatchback.

In fact it is devilishly difficult to fault. When it goes on sale in June, its position as the most urbane, civilised and sophisticated small quality car on the market would appear assured. Were that the whole story I guess I’d now have to award it the full five stars now. Sadly it is not that simple.

Attend the launch of any new Audi these days and its executives will tell you that Audi’s aim is to become the most sporting brand in its sector. Problem is, they seem not yet to have told their engineers.

Audi will not thank me for saying so but the cheapest Ford Focus is more sporting and fun than this A3. In all the miles I drove in the Audi, not once did it appear even likely to offer a rewarding driving experience. Drive it hard over a difficult road and you’ll find it effortless, fluent, indefatigably good natured and rather dull — it’s Phil Collins on wheels.

Lots of people like Phil Collins and lots of people will like this A3. Its predecessor outsold the BMW Compact and Mercedes Sports Coupé in the UK and this one, I have no doubt, will put yet more clear air between it and them.

If nobody had suggested it was the most sporting car in its class I’d probably not have grounds to quarrel. But saying a car is sporting does not make it sporting and Audi is in danger of making its own fine efforts look silly by making such unsupportable claims.

So do not trade in your Compact (or Focus) for an A3 believing you’re going to enjoy your driving even more as a result. Buy it instead because it’s currently the best car in its class. For Audi, you’d have thought that was enough.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Audi A3 2.0 FSI
Engine type Four cylinders, 1984cc
Power/ Torque 150bhp @ 6000rpm/ 147 lb ft @ 3500rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Tyres 205/55 R16
Fuel/ CO2 40.9mpg (combined)/ 166g/km
Top speed 131mph
Acceleration 0 to 62mph: 9.1sec
Price N/A
Verdict As good as you would expect - just don't expect to have much fun in it