Topic: Test Drive: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

[Autos_Editor]

Luxurious, practical, fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and eco-friendly, the new diesel-powered Audi A3 TDI is in "a field of one at the moment," says reviewer Gerry Frechette.  But he wishes it was available with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system.

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[John MacDonald]

This is a very nice vehicle but I have to say I don't really see a point to it.  The VW Golf is cheaper and every bit the same vehicle.  I think Audi should have made it a Quattro with the TDI and I'd say it would be a much better package.  For my money I would just buy the VW Golf TDI and spend the left over money on extended warranty, winter rims/tires, and a gas (diesel) card.

[Jay C]

How can any company in this day and age make rear airbags an option?  If a sub 20k car can have advanced safety features standard than Audi should be ashamed they make you check an option box to save your kids lives in a side collision.

[lebowski]

This is a very nice vehicle but I have to say I don't really see a point to it.  The VW Golf is cheaper and every bit the same vehicle.  I think Audi should have made it a Quattro with the TDI and I'd say it would be a much better package.  For my money I would just buy the VW Golf TDI and spend the left over money on extended warranty, winter rims/tires, and a gas (diesel) card.

I agree. An Audi without Quattro just doesn't make sense.

[toolatecrew]

43 500 for an A3 with no Quattro? Yikes

You would need to drive a zillion miles to have the fuel savings make up for the diesel option. Not to mention the A3 is on the MKV platform and the Golf is now on the MKVI.

I guess this car kills any chance of a VW GTD as it would likley kill most A3 TD sales

[Winterpeg]

This is a very nice vehicle but I have to say I don't really see a point to it.  The VW Golf is cheaper and every bit the same vehicle.  I think Audi should have made it a Quattro with the TDI and I'd say it would be a much better package.  For my money I would just buy the VW Golf TDI and spend the left over money on extended warranty, winter rims/tires, and a gas (diesel) card.

I agree. An Audi without Quattro just doesn't make sense.

I must also agree with the boys .....If you are going high end brand, like Audi here, put in all your toys that made you stand out from the crowd......it's spelled quattro.    

[ax89]

Quote from article: "we can talk about why a fully-equipped Audi A3 TDI might be worth nearly twice as much as a VW Golf with the same engine"

I didn't see a compelling argument justifying the price premium for the Audi over the VW...

[aknutson]

Quote from article: "we can talk about why a fully-equipped Audi A3 TDI might be worth nearly twice as much as a VW Golf with the same engine"
I didn't see a compelling argument justifying the price premium for the Audi over the VW...

I was going to post something along these lines - while the Audi A3 is arguably a very flexible, high quality and efficient vehicle (all good), I actually prefer the styling both inside and out of the much cheaper VW counterpart. Maybe it all comes down to dealer service? I don't know, I've never bought an Audi 

This seems to be a big seller for them though, like a lot of 'affordable' premium luxury brands. People stop looking at content and start looking at logos, and perhaps that is enough to convince many shoppers to lay down the premium cash for this type of vehicle. I've wondered why someone would spend $35K on an Acura CSX when it is basically a Honda Civic with a funny beek, but from my understanding they sell quite well. It's a great car, but in my opinion so is the humbler vehicle it's based on...

[mjordan76]

I would have considered this if it had a regular manual shift. Maybe this S thing is just as good but I prefer the control of the clutch especially in the snow.

[chum]

That's what I thought, until I went and to sit in the A3.  Two whole different car, I was set on getting the new MKVI Golf, but after sitting in the A3 it was all over.  It's just feels different, the interior and I like the style of the A3 more.  So what I did was waite until there was a used one, to my luck, yes a fully loaded 2010 A3 TDI was for sale, the only thing that was missing from the car was the Skyroof which I didn't want anyways (more head room).  Got the car for a very very great deal.  Only 3 months old, with some mileage on it, for the price of a fully load Golf TDI, I'M SOLD!!!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

How can any company in this day and age make rear airbags an option?  If a sub 20k car can have advanced safety features standard than Audi should be ashamed they make you check an option box to save your kids lives in a side collision.

They are rear side torso air bags, which the great majority of cars don't have, and are not available as an option. The car has rear side curtain (head) air bags standard, like most others.

[aknutson]

That's what I thought, until I went and to sit in the A3.  Two whole different car, I was set on getting the new MKVI Golf, but after sitting in the A3 it was all over.  It's just feels different, the interior and I like the style of the A3 more.  So what I did was waite until there was a used one, to my luck, yes a fully loaded 2010 A3 TDI was for sale, the only thing that was missing from the car was the Skyroof which I didn't want anyways (more head room).  Got the car for a very very great deal.  Only 3 months old, with some mileage on it, for the price of a fully load Golf TDI, I'M SOLD!!!

Sounds like a good deal on a good car - should be fun!

[Jimmy Skum]

My wife is on her second A3, gas 2.0T. She loved the first one so much that she insisted on a second one, wouldn't consider anything else. Very few issues with the first one in spite of what everyone says about VW/Audi reliability. With front wheel drive and winter tires you really don't need Quattro.

This one is a premium with the open sky system which does cut the headroom a bit but even with my long trunk I have no problem sitting in the back seat. If you were over 6' then I could see an issue. Only thing I couldn't convince her to do was put the Stasis turbocharger on it.

[Threader]

Quote "43 500 for an A3 with no Quattro?"

I am wondering though if someone has the money to spend $43 500 for a vehicle doesn't this simply negate any possible rationale for fuel savings? I am sure that anyone even considering a purchase of this is a badge snob and has DEFINITELY NEVER driven AWD automobile in a Canadian winter. If they did they would never buy this poor mans Audi under the pretense of I'm well off but environmentally green. 

[aknutson]

Quote "43 500 for an A3 with no Quattro?"

I am wondering though if someone has the money to spend $43 500 for a vehicle doesn't this simply negate any possible rationale for fuel savings? I am sure that anyone even considering a purchase of this is a badge snob and has DEFINITELY NEVER driven AWD automobile in a Canadian winter. If they did they would never buy this poor mans Audi under the pretense of I'm well off but environmentally green. 

Consumers of premium luxury 'efficiency' cars are doing it because of personal values, not to save money on fuel. The trend towards more frugal luxury vehicles is becoming stronger, driven by segment leaders like Mercedes-Benz (S400 Hybrid), Lexus (LS460H) and BMW (ActiveHybrid 7, diesel 3, 5, X5 models). The CAFE regulations are also forcing a lot of luxury makers to re-evaluate their lineups and the fuel economy associated with those vehicles.

*** in addition, super-efficient cars like the A3 TDI allow Audi to (thankfully) keep making boats like the A8 and fit them with twin-turbo V8's, V10's or V12's.

[evil_twin]

I like the A3 a lot (diesel or otherwise), but the lack of a manual + quattro option, kills it for me.

I'm stuck with a really expensive slushbox/quattro or a manual/FWD...at which point, I would certainly buy a GTI instead.

Prior to this year, I would have given an extra point to the Audi for style and interior....but the MkVI GTI addresses those needs nicely.

[Mozeby]

I think most people out there must be thinking the same most of us here do.  That's why an A3 is a rare sight. So too the Acura CSX somebody mentioned.

[Julie]

Prior to this year, I would have given an extra point to the Audi for style and interior....but the MkVI GTI addresses those needs nicely.

Although I also like the A3 a lot (my neighbour has one), having seen this year's GTI in person, I concur.  Interior on the GTI looks great.   

[JSCC]

When is the next generation coming?
2 years after the Golf MKVI?

[JSCC]

43 500 for an A3 with no Quattro? Yikes

You would need to drive a zillion miles to have the fuel savings make up for the diesel option. Not to mention the A3 is on the MKV platform and the Golf is now on the MKVI.

I guess this car kills any chance of a VW GTD as it would likley kill most A3 TD sales

 
The GTD (170HP and 258 lb-ft!) will definately outsell the A3 TDI in the same way the GTI outsells the A3 2.0T.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-gtd.html