hot hatches - opinions

[raised by monkeys]

For those that haven't seen my other threads, I'm having a baby and selling my F6 ute for a 5 seater. What I would like is a sporty awd. What id love is an 16/17 RS, but price, availability and their awd system chewing the space in the back has me considering other cars. I don't want to give up power for when i want some fun for myself. My partner has an 2011 SR5.

Looking for opinions/experiences with hatches. Considering the Audi S3 and AMG A45. I like the safety of the Audi and Benz (Benz has the Audi on safety) and i think maintenance and parts and probably going to be the same for both; but I definitely favour the price of the Audi and the fact its less prestige. I think the A45 is pretty new to hatches too, where as the focus and audi's have been around for a bit

I really like the MY12 LE styling and pricing, but finding one in manual seems hard. Although my partner doesn't like manuals i think she would feel less intimidated practicing in a hatch than my ute. Considered an ST but would feel anguish 3mths down the track for not going the RS. Don't want a WRX/STI or Evo; but i do like the GTI's. But if I'm going to spend a bit of money on a hatch taking safety, comfort (want leather for kids) and awd drivetrain into account i would feel stupid not choosing a premium hatch for the sake of a few extra $$.

Happy to spend 50k+ but going into the 60k area makes me uneasy. I will need finance on top of the ute which is another reason i like the Audi My12. The car would be used for travelling on the highway every now and again, carting kid/s prams/seats and golf clubs.

My top 3 pics in order is RS (but rear space may see this drop to 2nd), S3 and AMG.