Audi A3 (2003 - 2012) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Very cool car. Intuitive feel in terms of handling and general mechanical feel. Delayed acceleration makes for strange starts, and can be dangerous if not careful. Great speed, superior interior quality without the useless, flashy gadgets of some luxury brands, and unmatched style for its year and class. Value is totally worth it, so long as you have 5 to 7k extra for repairs. Common issues were apparent, such as engine mounts and engine vibration, to include transmission leaks and rust. Rear suspension felt overly stiff and strange. Owners need to keep up with the maintenance and this is a keeper.Nov 14, 2023

My favorite part about this car is the quick acceleration- it is nice to have a gas-saving turbo charged engine with a lot more power than most. Also, I love the classy look of this hatchback- making a hatchback look good is not always easy to do but Audi has done it perfectly. The moon roof in the front and the skylight in the back is a huge favorite for my daughter- almost like having a glass ceiling! Of course the steering wheel controls make driving easy and carefree. This A3 is low maintenance and is just a great example of premium Audi quality. Feb 26, 2012

Performance-- 3.2L Quattro gets me there in ANY weather, passing the big Ford 350s as they slip slide in the rain or snow. Breaking... I need to test this out more. Handles like a katana in the hands of an angry master ninja. Mileage--my wife gets 24-26 mpg...i get around 17 the way I drive it. Appearance...Beautiful in any light, great commuter car amid the plain jane trucks and Korean wanna-be european knock-off look-a-like cars. Audi bumper to bumper warranty is beautiful peace of mind. May 15, 2011

Performance of this car is absolutely stunning! The 1.4liter engine is a real surprise. Because of the turbo which helps providing 250nm at just 1.500rpm. Smoothly braking and handling. However, the sporty types have to choose another suspension. If you compare this car with other manufacturers (french or italian) you'll soon understand the true meaning of quality. Because of the sober appearance, this car is still modern. Summary: really good value for money and a true Audi! Dec 31, 2010

I bought this car on Friday, 4/16/10, and went on a 500 mile trip over the weekend, which affirmed my great appreciation for this unique vehicle. Handling is tight and responsive. The S-Tronic transmission is amazing and feels so much like a stick that my left foot kept looking for the clutch pedal. Acceleration plants you in the seat and it gets up and scoots. I love the different transmssion modes and it behaves like a race car with the double clutch system using either the console or paddle shifters. I originally wanted a stick, but this system is fun and convenient. In heavy traffic I am glad I can relax and put it in D and let it do it's thing while I play around with the Sirius radio, which I can do from the steering wheels. Audi didn't scrimp on the build quality and this car has just about everything I would want in a car. All 6 feet of me fits perfectly and I was never tired of unconfortable. It also gets some looks from passers by and that big grill in the front is really an eye catcher. I calculated that I was getting about 30 miles to the gallon when I got home, making this a very economical ride for US standards. Being conscious about fuel economy and the environment, I feel that I am doing my part with this effecient and low emmissions means of transportation. On top of all that, it's a blast to drive. Apr 19, 2010

I got the "basic" A3 model, however it feels much more luxurious than any equivalent car for the same price. Performance wise, excellent acceleration, even in the top gear (I got the manual transmission, which I prefer) without hesitation. Driving in the highway, feels very firm and responsive. I had driven though pouring rain, with excellent control and traction. In a hot sunny day, the AC works nicely and quite. The sound system, of which I have also the basic one, is excellent. In combination with a very quite interior, you can really enjoy a classic music at 90 mph. Gas consumption is surprisely low in the highway. The driver seat is very comfortable, I am average size, height, weight, and feel very nice in the driving position even after 6 hours of highway. Perhaps the only item that I miss is the sunroof, otherwise the A3 2.0T is a very good and fun car to drive. Jul 20, 2009