The dilemma

Craig is in the market for a hot hatch, and while he could get a new Volkswagen Golf GTI DSG he’d really like more grunt and exclusivity. A Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG with a few years behind it is one alternative, or would he better with, say, a near-new Golf R?

The budget

About $45,000

The shortlist

We’d happily have a Golf GTI but we can also understand why Craig might want more. Its appeal lies in its ability to seamlessly cater to everyday and hard-driving requirements rather than being the fastest or most exclusive contender.

If those kinds of things really matter, a used A45 is worth thinking about. But it’s also a less rounded package than a GTI with downsides to ponder.

To that end, a Golf R – older and wilder than a GTI but not as old or wild as an A45 – could be a great compromise. Or our third suggestion, which handily occupies the space between the Benz and top Golf.

2013-17 Audi S3 Sportback S tronic, from $32,000*

This Audi is altogether more manic than a GTI, cranking out more power (206kW versus 169kW) and sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in just 5.0 seconds (versus 6.4). Its big-dollar cabin ambience and obvious relationship to bigger, faster ‘S’-badged Audis endow it with more street cred than any Golf, too.

Of course, just as an A3 is essentially a Golf under the skin, the S3 is basically a Golf R in a flash suit.

Which isn’t all bad. Just like that car it’s roomy, safe, well equipped and its all-wheel-drive chassis delivers smile-raising handling without being too hard on the body over bumps.

But it does mean you get a dual-clutch auto with the same stop-start driving niggles. Finding one with life to run on its three-year warranty – or any pre-paid fixed-price servicing coverage – will be tough for this money.

Read Drive’s Audi S3 reviews:

Road test: Audi S3 Sportback

Road test: Audi S3 sedan

Used-car review: Audi S3 

2013-on Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, from $35,400*

This Mercedes is on another level to its rivals here, packing 265kW from its turbo-petrol engine and eye-widening 4.6-second 0-100km/h sprint capabilities. On smooth, twisting tarmac, its grunt and agile all-wheel-drive chassis deliver massive thrills.

The A45 looks the business inside and out, is safe and well equipped, and wearing the Three Pointed Star is unlikely to be negative for Craig.

But it also costs more than its rivals new, which translates to older used stock than even an S3, and next to no chance of gaining factory warranty or servicing tempters.

Its hard-edged ride can be tiring and, with 2016 update models and their adaptive suspension out of reach for this money, there’s no way around it. It has this group’s tightest back seat and its dual-clutch auto is also prone to the odd stop-start stutter.

Read Drive’s Mercedes-Benz A45 reviews:

Road test: Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Used-car review: Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG ().

2014-on Volkswagen Golf R DSG, from $30,700*

This Volkswagen offers the chance to tap into newer stock than its rivals here, with last year’s updated ‘7.5’ model just within reach for this money.

These Rs have more grunt than their predecessors and S3s in this price range (213kW) and are a little quicker (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds) while still delivering the same well-rounded mix of driving fun, comfort, practicality and safety.

They’ll also have plenty of tread left on Volkswagen’s three-year factory warranty and six-year/90,000km fixed-price servicing regime.

Getting a 7.5 in this budget range, however, will mean settling for an entry-level Grid Edition model – regular R 7.5s with their leather, all-digital instruments and other tricks aren’t quite $45k propositions yet.

Its subtle exterior and Golf roots inevitably means less wow factor than its rivals here, and its dual-clutch auto is also prone to the odd urban stutter.

Read Drive’s Volkswagen Golf reviews:

Road test: 2017 Volkswagen Golf R

Road test: Volkswagen Golf R

Used-car review: Volkswagen Golf GTI 

Drive recommends

The A45 undoubtedly serves up this group’s biggest highs but its niggles, age and lack of factory warranty/servicing tempters mean it also has the biggest lows, both real and potential.

That’s not a problem for the R, which does exactly what Craig is looking for without asking to sacrifice much in the way of useability, comfort or ownership. It’s the safe choice.

And the Audi? Given it’s essentially the same car as the VW but older and less well endowed in the warranty/servicing stakes, it ultimately cedes to its corporate cousin. With its Golf-beating exclusivity and Benz-beating used-car credentials, however, it would be a good second choice.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.

• Interested in buying Audi S3? Visit our Audi S3 showroom for more information.

• Interested in buying Volkswagen Golf? Visit our Volkswagen Golf showroom for more information.

• Interested in buying Mercedes-Benz A45? Visit our Mercedes-Benz showroom for more information.

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