2010 Acura ZDX – the Four Door Crossover Sport...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2010 Audi A3 Quality Review

September 10, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

truly is a 'premium' compact
Kelley Blue Book

benefits from incredible build quality
Car and Driver

all-day comfortable
ConsumerGuide

The 2010 Audi A3 doesn’t let down Audi’s reputation for excellence; the A3 has an attractive, premium-feel interior and levels of refinement that are better than most other small cars. However, there are a few issues to note.

Several reviewers rave about the materials and trim in the Audi A3. The A3 is “decidedly upscale,” according to Kelley Blue Book, which also notes the "aluminum-surrounded round front air vents" being "among several touches that echo the stylish Audi TT." Car and Driver says the 2009 Audi A3 "benefits from incredible build quality."

Comments about controls and displays are almost unanimously positive. 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.

Cars.com contends 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." ConsumerGuide claims front seats are "all-day comfortable" and "headroom and legroom are plentiful," yet the reviewers also mention that "the cushion is nicely padded but not long enough for good thigh support." TheCarConnection.com warns that some drivers might not find enough back or side support in the front seat for long trips, and backseat space can be tight for adult occupants if the front seats are near the back of their travel.

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

Wind and road noise in the 2010 Audi A3 might not be up to the standards of luxury-car shoppers. ConsumerGuide notices "some coarse-surface tire thrum on base models," but "wind rush is low at highway speeds," and "both engines sound classy while accelerating."

Conclusion

The 2010 Audi A3 has excellent interior appointments and is a big step up in refinement from budget hatches, though it’s not quite up to luxury-car standards.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:truly is a 'premium' compactKelley Blue Bookbenefits from incredible build qualityCar and Driverall-day comfortableConsumerGuide The 2010 Audi A3 doesn’t let down Audi’s reputation for excellence; the A3 has an attractive, premium-feel interior and levels of refinement that are better than most other small cars. However, there are a few issues to note. Several reviewers rave about the materials and trim in the Audi A3. The A3 is “decidedly upscale,” according to Kelley Blue Book, which also notes the "aluminum-surrounded round front air vents" being "among several touches that echo the stylish Audi TT." Car and Driver says the 2009 Audi A3 "benefits from incredible build quality." Comments about controls and displays are almost unanimously positive. 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. Cars.com contends 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." ConsumerGuide claims front seats are "all-day comfortable" and "headroom and legroom are plentiful," yet the reviewers also mention that "the cushion is nicely padded but not long enough for good thigh support." TheCarConnection.com warns that some drivers might not find enough back or side support in the front seat for long trips, and backseat space can be tight for adult occupants if the front seats are near the back of their travel. Kelley Blue Book reminds drivers that the A3 is a compact, and "some folks might be disappointed by the size of the rear cargo area." The interior makes good use of space, however, with Car and Driver calling the A3 Audi "roomy." Wind and road noise in the 2010 Audi A3 might not be up to the standards of luxury-car shoppers. ConsumerGuide notices "some coarse-surface tire thrum on base models," but "wind rush is low at highway speeds," and "both engines sound classy while accelerating." ConclusionThe 2010 Audi A3 has excellent interior appointments and is a big step up in refinement from budget hatches, though it’s not quite up to luxury-car standards. 2010 AUDI A3 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "the most noticeable styling changes include a sculpted chin spoiler and redesigned headlights" Car and Driver: "the instrument lighting has switched from Audi’s characteristic red to a more generic white" The Audi A3 got a light ...

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 2009 Audi A3. The 2010 Audi A3 doesn’t have a lot of competition in the U.S. market. The BMW 3-Series wagon—especially the fuel-efficient 335d—is one possibility, but it’s much more expensive. The Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is another alternative; it’s actually roomier inside and has a better ride, though it’s not nearly as sporty as the A3. The Infiniti EX is either a crossover vehicle or tall wagon, depending on how you see it. It 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. Yet another option would be the Acura RDX, a crossover that’s powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The RDX has a roomier and better-appointed interior, but it doesn’t offer any fuel-efficient engine choices to rival the A3 TDI.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Audi A3 from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Audi A3

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Audi A3

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Audi A3 near you

See the Audi A3 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Jean Opsomer #1, Posted: 10/26/2009

    I've had an Audi A3 2006 and it's been nothing but trouble, with numerous repair visits to the dealer (covered by warranty until recently). The problem areas have been the fuel injection system and various electronic components. Just in the last 6 months, I've been to the dealer 7 times. If you like to spend time in the waiting room of your dealership, this is the car for you. Otherwise, there are much better (and cheaper) choices out there.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy