Overview & Reviews

For 2009, the Audi A3 gets freshened up inside and out, and comes with more standard and optional features. This year's A3 has a new hood, redesigned front and rear fenders and Audi's new signature single-frame front grille design. Inside, all trim levels now come standard with leather upholstery, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The 3.2 trims get standard bi-xenon headlights and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Quattro all-wheel drive is now optional on 2.0 T models equipped with the S tronic transmission. Manual 2.0 T models get standard hill-hold assist.

• Versatile interior space, enjoyable driving dynamics, availability of sequential-shift transmission, excellent safety for a small car.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 20.00

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  Nice ride, but it will cost you - 2009 Audi A3
  By William Lee - November 22 - 11:02 pm

  Akin to what another reviewer described - the A3 is a great driving car, too much fun (as evidenced by multiple speeding tickets). But... Ive gotten to know my service dealer a little too well. Drivers seat fell apart - warranty-covered fix. Fuse box melted - warranty covered that. Its a turbocharged car, so you have to replace the spark plugs every 30k mi. It didnt help that the injector coil also went out on me. Ugh. Now at 80k miles, the engine light is going on, and theres no identifiable reason. The engine was cleaned out (pistons), various valves and manifolds were replaced, yet after $900 in repairs, its still messed up with the engine light brightening my interior lighting. The 25k/50k/75k services at the dealer ran about $500-$700. Oil changes run $100. Premium fuel. No off-dealer maintenance shop will replace the transmission fluid as thats Audi special. My next car will be a Mazda - all the same driving fun, with less costly repairs.

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  Looks good but constant minor issues - 2009 Audi A3
  By seattle1984 - March 31 - 5:49 pm

  My 2009 Audi A3 driver side door does not work with the fob. The other doors work fine. The shop says the door lock actuator needs to be replaced total cost $750! The low oil light keeps on popping up. I have not gotten an estimate and will wait until my 105k maintenance. The car looks and drives well. Also, the MPG is pretty good even on Premium gas. However my old and ancient Camry seems to have less constant minor issues.

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  Not Reliable...Never Again! - 2009 Audi A3
  By futureman001 - January 14 - 10:26 am

  Just after warranty, the manifold went bad. The injectors went bad. After five years of ownership the main engine seal and the oil separator went bad ($2,000) and the fuse housing under the hood melted ($675). I have been driving for 32 years and I have gotten bad gasoline with this car twice. Never before in 32 years has that occurred. The car is over engineered and too temperamental. VWs Ive owned were also unreliable. If you have plenty of money and time to spend at the shop, you may consider this a fun car.

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  a year and 30k miles in my A3 - 2009 Audi A3
  By eurocarlover19 - August 18 - 10:06 pm

  I bought my 09 A3(2.0T w/S-tronic) in July 2012, with 51k miles, now has 81k miles. MPG has actually gotten better, and I routinely get over 30 commuting to work(22 miles one way). Had to replace the electronic throttle, but other than that, Ive spent $2.5k on regular maintenance--tune up, oil changes, brakes, tires. The seatbacks came unglued, so i simply super-glued them back together, with no issues. The armrest also came undone, but to replace the top portion, it will cost me $200, so that will also be super-glued back. I will consider the 2015 A3 when it arrives, though ill also be cross-shopping with the Volvo V60(soon to arrive), and the new GTI.

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  A GTI in a suit - 2009 Audi A3
  By since59 - April 22 - 1:50 am

  I needed to replace my 11 year old TT roadster with a larger car. I was looking at 2-3 year old A4 Avants but they were too expensive. Last week I bought an A3 used with 30k on the odometer. I just finished a 1000 mile road trip in 100+ degree heat at an average speed of 85 mph without a single problem. Great power from the 2.0 turbo that emits a wonderful snarl when you floor it and the dual clutch transmission is an able dance partner in the twisties. The dual zone AC kept the cabin of my black on black skyroof equipped A3 cool and comfortable while we cruised through the Mojave desert and the engine temp needle never budged past the middle of the dial. Great little car!

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  2008 A3 2.0T (DSG) - 2009 Audi A3
  By winddy - January 16 - 2:35 pm

  uses way too much oil! I am afraid to drive it a considerable amount of distance.. I check the oil one day, and although remarkably dirty,its full. The next day I drive it 100 miles give or take.. when I get home I have NO OIL, and there was no alert telling me that the oil is low!!I have taken it back to my Audi dealership 3 times and it is going back for #4. One more chance!otherwise this is a great car. Id rather not sell it because of the poor treatment that I receive at the Audi dealership that I use. Come on Audi. Once we buy your car - we are family! Service Managers need to treat us better!! Audi drivers want performance,high quality, and 6 star treatment!!! thanks!

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  - 2009 Audi A3
  By nek_md - December 11 - 10:41 pm

  Before I purchased my A3, I had been longing for an Audi for quite some time. Dealer made the new A3 more financially attractive than a low-mileage A4 from the prior model year. I have not regretted my decision and now have ~17,000 mi. on the car. No major mechanical problems. No quality issues except for poorly tracking sun-roof shade. The engine is peppy. There IS turbo lag, contrary to what some critics have said, but the torque band is band is broad and smooth once it is engaged. DSG works nicely and allows driver to drive all speeds in manual fashion. Lovely steering wheel. Intuitive gauge placement. Supportive seats, although more side bolstering would be nice. Love the QUATTRO.

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  Fun Fast Practical - One Package - 2009 Audi A3
  By Waterhead - August 30 - 9:31 am

  Satisfaction on a car purchase is all about previous experience and expectations. Previous: Ive owned BMWs (328is, 528i). Mercedes (E350), Lexus (GX470). Love the tightness of a German car, combo sport and luxury. Need: I drive 15k/year, mostly highway with some 2 lane windy roads. My 528i had 160k miles, facing $5k on brakes, airbag sensor, struts, etc. I was also getting about 23mpg. Wanted something fun, fast with good mpg and room for family (wife, 2 girls). Enter A3: This car is about as perfect (based on my expectations/needs) as one can get. It is tighter than the BMWs, fast and fun. 30mpg - driven hard. Sunroof, stereo, leather seats, bluetooth all create luxury feel.

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  First import for my garage - 2009 Audi A3
  By Andy - June 2 - 9:47 am

  Coming from a Chevy-only-world I could not be any happier. Power, style, handling, its all there in spades. The combination of redesigned 2.0T-TFSI, DSG transmission and Haldex AWD is amazing. It is so fun to drive I find myself taking the long-way home almost every day. And the hatch makes it extremely practical. My dog loves cruising around, grinning at everyone through the back window. And the folding back seats have made room for a new grill, small patio set and almost everything I need to haul. On top of all this the A3 is top-rated for safety and sips so little gas I have no concerns with non-stop spirited driving.

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  3rd audi - 2009 Audi A3
  By jeff - December 26 - 9:47 pm

  Went to my local dealer and drove a 2009 A3 2.0 quattro with bluetooth, open sky, and satellite radio. Even though I thought I wanted a manual again I got such a good deal plus really wanting quattro I bought the 09. The DSG transmission is growing on me. I have always maintained my Audis and never had any reliability issues other than normal wear and tear items. The A3 is well built and is versatile. It is a perfect car for running errands in town but also does well on longer trips.