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2008 Audi A3 Quality Review

November 5, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

interior is handsome and comfortable for average-size adults
ForbesAuto

assembled from tasteful, high-quality materials
ConsumerGuide

truly is a 'premium' compact
Kelley Blue Book

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com enjoyed the luxury touches and exceptional comfort of the Audi 2008 A3.

According to Car and Driver, the 2008 Audi A3 "benefits from incredible build quality." Kelley Blue Book agrees, calling the interior "decidedly upscale" with "aluminum-surrounded round front air vents" being "among several touches that echo the stylish Audi TT."

Edmunds touts the easy-to-use comfort, with "straightforward buttons and controls" and an "excellent steering wheel" that "fits the driver's hands perfectly" among the most notable features.

ConsumerGuide claims front seats are "all-day comfortable" and "headroom and legroom are plentiful." Cars.com adds that the "excellent seats deliver good support and their bottoms are fairly long," but points out that "some drivers might find their right knee resting against the center console."

In the backseat, ForbesAuto warns that "larger occupants could feel cramped." In regard to the A3 Audi seats themselves, ConsumerGuide mentions that "the cushion is nicely padded but not long enough for good thigh support."

Noise was not a major concern for those reviewing the 2008 Audi A3. ConsumerGuide did notice "some coarse-surface tire thrum on base models," but "wind rush is low at highway speeds," and "both engines sound classy while accelerating."

The interior makes good use of space, with Car and Driver calling the A3 Audi "roomy." Still, Kelley Blue Book reminds drivers it is a hatchback, meaning "some folks might be disappointed by the size of the rear cargo area."

In extensive drives of the A3 Audi in Europe and the United States, TheCarConnection.com’s editors felt its standard leather buckets lack the side support needed in such a car and can also cause backaches on longer journeys. Rear seat accommodation is acceptable for a car of this size, allowing you to squeeze a pair of adults in there--provided the front seat passengers don't mind scooting forward an inch or two. The trunk is very large.

Conclusion

The Audi reputation is represented well here, with the 2008 Audi A3 offering plenty of refinement.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:interior is handsome and comfortable for average-size adultsForbesAutoassembled from tasteful, high-quality materialsConsumerGuidetruly is a 'premium' compactKelley Blue Book Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com enjoyed the luxury touches and exceptional comfort of the Audi 2008 A3. According to Car and Driver, the 2008 Audi A3 "benefits from incredible build quality." Kelley Blue Book agrees, calling the interior "decidedly upscale" with "aluminum-surrounded round front air vents" being "among several touches that echo the stylish Audi TT." Edmunds touts the easy-to-use comfort, with "straightforward buttons and controls" and an "excellent steering wheel" that "fits the driver's hands perfectly" among the most notable features. ConsumerGuide claims front seats are "all-day comfortable" and "headroom and legroom are plentiful." Cars.com adds that the "excellent seats deliver good support and their bottoms are fairly long," but points out that "some drivers might find their right knee resting against the center console." In the backseat, ForbesAuto warns that "larger occupants could feel cramped." In regard to the A3 Audi seats themselves, ConsumerGuide mentions that "the cushion is nicely padded but not long enough for good thigh support." Noise was not a major concern for those reviewing the 2008 Audi A3. ConsumerGuide did notice "some coarse-surface tire thrum on base models," but "wind rush is low at highway speeds," and "both engines sound classy while accelerating." The interior makes good use of space, with Car and Driver calling the A3 Audi "roomy." Still, Kelley Blue Book reminds drivers it is a hatchback, meaning "some folks might be disappointed by the size of the rear cargo area." In extensive drives of the A3 Audi in Europe and the United States, TheCarConnection.com’s editors felt its standard leather buckets lack the side support needed in such a car and can also cause backaches on longer journeys. Rear seat accommodation is acceptable for a car of this size, allowing you to squeeze a pair of adults in there--provided the front seat passengers don't mind scooting forward an inch or two. The trunk is very large. ConclusionThe Audi reputation is represented well here, with the 2008 Audi A3 offering plenty of refinement. 2008 AUDI A3 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "four-door versatility wrapped in a sleek package." Car and Driver: "Seductively styled inside and out" ForbesAuto: "a sporty, small wagon that doesn't sacrifice luxury or performance" ConsumerGuide: "less space than a small ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

If you're in the market for a wagonlike vehicle with sporting pretensions and can spend $30,000, there are some interesting choices outside of the 2008 Audi A3. A traditional wagon such as the BMW 3-Series or the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen might not have all-wheel drive, but each has more cargo room than the more compact Audi A3--and in the Jetta's case, a coming diesel option. Look to Japan and the Infiniti EX has all-wheel drive as an option, but the base car is a rear-driver spun from the hot-handling G35 sedan, one of our favorite luxury sport sedans.

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See the Audi A3 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (2 total)

  1. By  Truck trader #1, Posted: 2/12/2009

    Audi 2009

    A friend of mine bought a new A3 in early 2008, and had serious engine problems with it. After asking around he heard many similar stories about the A3, which I found both unusual and quite disturbing! - Anyone else heard of problems? Is this 2009 model any different?

  2. By N Vespertino #2, Posted: 7/25/2009

    I bought a new 2008 a3 (2.0 T S-tronic)in December 2007. It now has over 28,000 miles. Absolutely no engine problems.

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