Overview & Reviews

The Audi A3 heads into 2011 with only minor trim and wheel changes.

• Upscale interior, enjoyable driving dynamics, versatile interior space, high fuel efficiency from available diesel engine.

• Expensive and underequipped compared to its hatchback competitors, limited rear-seat room for taller passengers, unintuitive navigation controls.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 14 of 14.00

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  Relatively Great Fun - 2011 Audi A3
  By slimjimmyz - December 18 - 11:14 pm

  Im coming from the perspective of a family with young kids that has relied on Outbacks and older Nissan/Acura sedans. Our newish Outback serves as our workhorse car, so we felt more free to replace our aging 2nd car with a smaller non-all wheel drive car. Weve been very happy with the handling and performance of the A3. Ive gone through NE winters with front wheel drive and snow tires, and expect the A3 to do just fine. It feels plenty fast to us, and the handling and responsiveness is a clear cut above what wed been used to. My wife was a bit hesitant about it after the first test drive, not being used to a diesel engine, but now even she says its the perfect car for us.

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  So far so good - 2011 Audi A3
  By Jonathan - November 10 - 2:00 am

  I was cross shopping the A3 with a GTI with sunroof and Nav. The cars are similar on paper (engine etc.) but have a very different personality to drive. The A3 is more refined and feels lighter to drive. I like the lower roofline of the Audi. The extra sound insulation helps too. GTI is a better value for bang for the buck but the Audi feels more polished. I got the A3 with Premium Plus and Titanium Sport. The PP is a must for the xenons and LED DRLs. The Ti sport interior is fantastic and the ride height is perfect in my opinion. The one feature that annoys me is the inability to scroll through the presets using the controls on the MFSW.

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  PURCHASED BECAUSE OF IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK - 2011 Audi A3
  By doc5339 - December 6 - 5:12 am

  Will never purchase another VW, Audi or VAG product again. Total inaction after years of waiting on the Takata airbag recall. TDI BuyBack is beyond tedious, waiting over 6 months for an offer letter.

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  A3 TDI review - Edmonds doesnt offer option - 2011 Audi A3
  By civil westman - November 25 - 10:44 pm

  What a disappointment! OK for 21/2 years 15K miles, then problems began. 18 months of a slow coolant leak which dealer could not find. Had to keep a gallon of coolant with me at all times. Finally, after warranty expired, the dealer replaced the water pump to cure the problem. Wanted to charge me for it. After pointing out that it had been in three times over the past 18 months, they decided it was under warranty. Now with 55K miles, the waste gate regulation valve on the turbo has failed, along with a pressure line to the turbo (I previously owned a Jetta TDI, given to my son, whose turbo failed at 46K miles - this failure occurred after I had bought the Audi). So far, up to about $1500 in repairs on a car with has lost 20% of its value due to the emissions shenanigans. I am waiting to see if Audi will offer to buy it back. A recent court settlement calls for them to buy back the older TDIs on the road and "repair" (read destroy the good mileage) the newer ones. Needless to say, THIS IS MY LAST VW/AUDI PRODUCT.