2010 Audi A3 Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2010 Audi A3 2.0T Premium

MSRP: $27,270 Engine: 2L I4 Transmission: Manual, Automatic

Drivetrain: FWD Fuel Type: Gas Curb Weight: 3,219 lbs.

Review

The 2010 Audi A3 is a sleekly styled small car with a sports car-like feel to it. When you slip into an Audi A3, the famous Audi quality is evident in everything from the quality of the materials to the feel of the vehicle itself. The adage "you get what you pay for" is an apt way to describe the Audi A3, and with the A3's massive starting price, you pay for quite a bit. Although cheaper options exist, the prestige, performance, and appeal of the 2010 Audi A3 are hard to resist, as you'll see in our review.

Improvements from the 2009 A3

For 2010, the Audi A3 gets an optional diesel engine with excellent fuel economy. Audi dropped the 3.2-liter V6 engine from the line-up for the new model year, and the once optional S-line bumpers and rear spoiler now come standard.

Performance

Auto reviews cite the 2010 A3's fun driving experience, abundant engine power, and exact braking and cornering as its most valuable assets. Two engines are available on the new A3: a 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine with 140 horsepower and a 2.0-liter, 200-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine. In our road test, the gas-powered model completed the 0-60 mph sprint in about 6.7 seconds with the automatic transmission. The new Audi's handling is precise and its braking is highly responsive, although the all-wheel drive system is unavailable on the diesel model.

Exterior Features

Audi took a risk by giving the 2010 A3 the body of a stylish hatchback, but most car reviews praise the results. Without a doubt, the sporty hatchback styling sets the A3 apart from other upscale small vehicles. Auto reviewers call the A3's appearance stocky and sporty, acknowledging the creativity of a body design that makes the vehicle look as if it's springing into action. The 2010 Audi A3 comes in two trim levels: Premium and Premium Plus.

Interior Features

Photos of the interior of the Audi A3 reveal the hallmarks of the automaker-understated elegance with quality finish. The craftsmanship of the Audi's interior will impress you. Although the A3 has a bit more hard plastic than other models, it is blended well enough to fit seamlessly into the interior as a whole. High-quality leather seats come standard with all models of the A3. In theory, the 2010 Audi A3 can seat five, but rear seat space is lacking. Cargo space, on the other hand, is more than abundant, with 55 cubic feet of space available with the rear seats folded.

Safety and Specifications

The safety of the 2010 Audi A3 is unimpeachable, with the latest model earning a perfect 10 out of 10 score on U.S. News and World Report's safety rankings. Although the federal government has yet to perform car safety tests on the 2010 A3, car insurance industry tests gave the car perfect scores on all tests. Because of its stellar safety scores, the A3 was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the auto insurance industry. These safety scores will show up as savings, yuo can see for yourself by getting free car insurance quotes. Safety features included on the Audi A3 are antilock brakes, optional rear-side airbags, electronic brake-pressure distribution, electronic stability control, and hydraulic brake assist. On the down side, the rear roofline of the A3 slightly obscures the vision of the driver to the right rear. A summary of the Audi A3's specs is provided below.

• Car pricing: $27,270 - $30,850 MSRP; $25,361 - $28,690 invoice
• Engine: 3.5-liter, 303-hp V6
• Transmission: six-speed manual transmission standard, S-tronic automatic optional
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds

Upgrade Options

The Audi A3 offers four packages that come loaded with options, including the sport package, titanium sport package, convenience package, and cold weather package. The convenience package, for example, offers automatic headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, a premium BOSE sound system, and automatic windshield wipers. Available individual options on the 2010 A3 include the Audi navigation plus system, and open-sky sunroof, dark brown walnut inlay, and aluminum roof rails.

How the 2010 A3 Compares to Other Upscale Small Cars

Although the starting price of the 2010 Audi A3 is significantly higher than those of most of its rivals, the car is well-worth the added cost. The Audi's slightly inflated price is the main reason why it ranked number two of six on U.S. News and World Report's ratings of upscale small vehicles. Without the diesel engine, the A3's fuel economy is good for its segment, getting 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. However, the gas mileage of the TDI A3 far surpasses that of most hybrids, getting 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway.
New car guide information cites the Audi A3's Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership for the 2009 model as $48,522, which is good for this type of vehicle. The A3's predicted ownership cost includes car insurance premiums, gas costs, scheduled maintenance, depreciation, and similar expenses. Reliability is one of the weak points of the 2010 Audi A3, as the vehicle earned a poor score of 5.0 out of ten on the J.D. Power Quality Ratings for predicted reliability. The Audi A3's warranty is good for its class, with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, the first scheduled maintenance performed free, and Audi 24-hour roadside assistance for four years.

Conclusion: Is the A3 a Smart Buy?

The Audi A3 is steeply priced for an entry-level luxury vehicle, but we're confident you'll find it worth every penny. If you want economy, you might look into VW GTI instead, but you'll sacrifice the beauty, athleticism, and luxury that the 2010 A3 has to offer. The TDI A3 is ideal for fuel-conscious consumers who are loathe to buy a hybrid, and the vehicle delivers amazing acceleration and sporty handling for a car of its size. As long as you're willing to overlook a few confusing interior controls and a cramped rear seat, the 2010 Audi A3 is definitely worth your consideration.