For This engine blends muscular responses with silky refinement. This basic trim has the same classy cabin, full safety kit and strong residual values as pricier models.

Against Refined as it is, the diesel engine isn't as quiet as a petrol. At this price, you might expect more kit; there’s no fully electric roof or auxiliary input socket for an MP3 player.

Audi A3 Cabriolet

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

You can't fault the engine’s refinement or power, but a diesel drop-top won’t appeal to everyone. If it does, this is decent, although Sport versions have some desirable extra kit.

What Car? readers say

4


Key facts

0–60mph
9.6 secs
Top speed
129 mph
Average mpg
61.4
Tank range
743 miles
See all running costs

View the whole Audi A3 Cabriolet range

Read in full

The full Audi A3 review


Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Chopping the roof off Audi’s A3 hatchback doesn’t make it a better car, but somehow the Cabriolet version just feels ‘right’. Many rivals have a metal roof, but the A3’s fabric hood gives superb refinement, steals less boot space and drops down around three times quicker.

Admittedly, the A3’s body wobbles a little more than rivals with a hard top, but it drives well enough and most of the engines give good pace. For us, the 1.8 TFSI is the cream of the crop, blending decent pace with reasonable running costs.

Entry-level trim keeps the price down, but you have to unclip the roof manually and you’ll probably want to add a couple of choice options. Sport trim is our favourite; it features a fully electric roof and wants for little.

Extras on S line models include a bodykit, but prices are rather high. It goes without saying that a car this desirable will hold its value spectacularly well.

Reader test team says:

Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI S line 2dr

Had this about 18 months. Overall really like this car, more practical than you might think - family days out for 4 are practical if you pack…

Iain Ansell

4 out of 5 stars
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