Overall reader verdict 4 out of 5 stars

  • What's it like to drive
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Running costs
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Quality, practicality and equipment
    4 out of 5 stars

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Audi A3 (03-) Sportback
63 reader reviews for Audi A3 Sportback.

  • 1.4 TFSI 5dr

    Mark Denison , Herts . Date: 06/12/2011
    • Overall verdict
      2 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      1 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      3 out of 5 stars

    My car

    Three months and 5000 miles down the track. Nice car, handles well, the petrol engine is quiet but makes a satisfying growl when worked harder. My biggest criticism is the MPG. Combined figures for this car were put at 48mpg but you'd have to be a 'Sunday driver' to achieve that. Best I've managed was 40mpg driving a regular 3 hour motorway journey conservatively! It also added 20 mins to my drive time. In my previous car (Golf Est 2.0TDi)I drove the car hard on the same journey...achieved 50mpg and knocked 15 mins off the time. The car is relatively nimble and quick in 1st,2nd,3rd gears....4th is OK while 5th and 6th are pretty poor in terms of acceleration. Granted you get much more torque and pull in 4th - 6th out of a 2.0TDi unit which is where my direct comparison is. This is a company car and I'll have to stick with it for 3 years...but I'd change tomorrow given the chance!

  • 2.0 TDI 170 quattro Sport S/S 5dr

    nick harris , northamptonshire . Date: 04/12/2011
    • Overall verdict
      4 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      46

    My car

    Great car offering a really enjoyable drive. Grips exceptionaly well and accelerates at a good lick.The only downside is i had to specify loads of extras(cruise control,heated front seats,upgraded music system,lumber control,bluetooth and comfort pack) to make it offer the same as my previous car the best of which was the uprated bose sound system.Was more comfortable than i expected on a long drive to Italy and was really impressive in the snow last year. In summary a well made quality car just be prepared to dip into the extras

  • 2.0 TDI 140 Black Edition S/S 5dr

    Michael Higgins , Staffordshire . Date: 27/09/2011
    • Overall verdict
      5 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      55

    My car

    Having driven an A4 Avant S-Line for 3 years I was wondering how I would get on with the A3 Sportback. Had the A3 SB BE new from March 2011 (now Sept) and covered some 13000 miles. I have to say, I love this car. Engine is very responsive and excellent mpg around 48 when driven hard and over 60mpg when driven with care. Seating position, comfort, controls excellent. BOSE stereo is brilliant. Tyres (even front ones) will last over 20000miles. Boot space is bigger than you think. S-Line setup is firm, but I prefer this as it makes it handle like a dream. I would have to say that it is possibly the best car I've owned (and I've owned many over the years including the early Honda Civic VTEC 1990)I think the standard equipment on the Black Edition is excellent - the only extra's I've added is lumbar supp, interior light pack, cruise control, sound pack. I had to wait nearly 12 months from order to delivery but it was worth it.

  • 1.4 TFSI 5dr

    Mark Denison , Herts . Date: 16/09/2011
    • Overall verdict
      3 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      2 out of 5 stars

    My car

    Early days with this car.Took delivery almost 2 weeks ago and haven't clocked up 1000 miles yet so am still keeping the revs down and allwing the engine to 'bed in'. For this reason, presumably, fuel efficiency is around 39mpg versus the 'official' 48 mpg. Hopefully that will come with time. The car is solidly built and sits well on the road. Gear changes are slick and the engine has a pleasingly throaty growl as the revs move over 3000 rpm. I'm surprised that a car of this quality/price doesn't come with Bluetooth and a full size spare wheel as standard. I have a pressurised can of foam in case of a puncture but I'll be stranded if I have a blowout. I had been hoping for a 2.0 TDi (this is a company car) and so miss the extra torque in 4th/5th/6th gears and the better mpg and range (per tank). I added climate control and handsfree phone prep (plus multifunction wheel) as these make a big difference to me. Two small 'niggles'...(1) the cigarette lighter/plug socket is badly positioned when it somes to charging my phone or plugging in Sat Nav as it interferes with gear changes ..and (2) the electric window controls on the drivers door are positioned too far back for easy use. Otherwise....so far...a nice car!!

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