Top 10 reasons why the Audi A3 makes a great buy

​Audi’s five-star A3 makes a great rival to the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class. 
Sarah Bradley|Autocar14 August 2016

Audi’s impressive A3 sets the class benchmark in the premium hatchback sector, and for good reason. Its mix of comfort, quality and great drive keeps it ahead of plush hatchback rivals such as the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class and Infiniti Q30.

Here are 10 great reasons to buy a new one:

10. Visibility

Forward visibility from the A3 is excellent, and while it’s less so from the back, there’s plenty of optional equipment to help when navigate when parking.

9. Running costs

Running efficiency offsets a high initial purchase price. Fuel consumption and emissions are aided by stop-start and weight-saving measures such as the use of lightweight construction materials. The 1.6-litre diesel is the most frugal model.


8. Generously equipped

Even the entry-level SE gets air-con, Bluetooth, cruise control, LED daytime running lights, 16in alloys and Apple CarPlay. Add the optional rear parking sensors and sat-nav, and you’re more than sorted.

7. Safety kit as standard

Stability control and a pop-up, pedestrian-friendly bonnet are standard fit even on the base SE, and the A3 gets a five-star crash test rating as well.

6. Technology

Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) central control system isn’t quite as good as BMW’s iDrive, but it’s still pretty impressive. If you add the Technology package, with its sat-nav and touch function, you can write letters on top of the rotary MMI control dial.
 


5. Respectable handling

The A3 is known for its grip in corners and controlled body roll in tight bends. The steering is precise, with comfortable weighting, even if it doesn’t have huge feedback.

4. Comfortable driving

The standard ride set-up is great, even without the expensive Magnetic Ride option. Plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat mean you can get very comfortable, too.

3. Engine range 

Our pick of the strong engine line-up is the 1.4-litre petrol turbo. It packs a punch, but can turn off two of its cylinders for efficiency when necessary. The e-tron plug-in hybrid is impressive, too.

2. Interior quality

Beautifully constructed from top-quality materials, the plush cabin is one of the A3’s best points. The plastics are top grade, and the controls perfectly weighted.

1. Quiet cabin

As one of the quietest in the sector, the A3’s interior is a serene place to be – as long as you stick to the smaller alloys wheels. The 1.4 petrol is the smoothest engine, but the diesels aren’t bad, either. Of course, the near-silent e-tron plug-in hybrid is the star, with none of the whine of other hybrids’ electric motors.

Buying used
 


All A3s, current or previous generation, cost more than the equivalent Volkswagen Golf. They hold their value well, which is good news for sellers but not for used buyers. The S-tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox has had some issues, while the 3.2-litre A3 was popular with thieves, so a tracking device will be a prerequisite.

A decent 2010 A3 with 50,000 miles will cost around £8500 with various engine specs. Make sure you thoroughly test drive any potential buys first.

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