Overall Average Rating: 85.63%
Position in the Top 100 cars: 44th

The car that created the premium hatch sector has had a tough year, slipping 21 places in 12 months.

Although pre-facelift models are now getting on for six years old, these results suggest the Audi isn’t quite hitting the mark.

Comfort, reliability and practicality all came in for criticism, while you also told us the ride quality on British roads could be better.

Manufacturer Verdict (Position: 11th)

A solid showing sees Audi hold on to its 11th position. Drivers said their cars were the third best built in the country, while the maker was also in the top 10 in the braking and performance charts.

Overall Average:
4.294
85.88%
32nd in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy a Audi A3 Owner Reviews Container again
4.05
81%
31st in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy another Audi A3 again:
4.75
95%
21st in Driver Power 2010
Running Cost:
3.995
79.9%
32nd in Driver Power 2010
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Comfortable and reasonably practical, the engine provides sufficent acceleration for pulling out and overtaking whilst also able to produce 50+ mpg. I find the ipod and bluetooth very good and easy to use although access to ipod tracks and playlists is limited. Both of these functions can be done entirely from the steering wheel. One slight discomfort is the accelerator, it is mounted from the floor of the footwell and not the ceiling, the salesman at audi said this was for extra feel, although I enquired in vw when test driving a similar golf and he was honest enough to say he did not know why it had been mounted in this way! It can make using certain shoes with unusual soles quite uncomfortable, causing muscle ache in my calf muscles! However, I now just wear trainers when driving and have no problems. Overall, I am very pleased with the car, it is a comfortable way to travel on the roads and offers a suitable balance of performance and economy for my needs, I would certainly recommend it a friend and am likely to consider another above other options when I come to replace it.

Cost: 5/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

I think that the Audi A3 exceeds expectations and it really is a case of you get what you pay for. It is a better car compared to cheaper brands I have had in the past; there is definately a difference in quality. The only complaint I would have would be that a piece of trim rattled at first but once had been fitted properly it stopped. That said the overall the experience so far has been enjoyable.

Cost: 4/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Moved from vw passat to audi a few years ago and been very pleased. Good sturdy thud when closing the doors, very economical (2 ltr tdi averages 52 mpg) Reasonable prices at the audi dealership too - that was a surprise - i was expecting bigger bills but servicing and new pads/discs etc are realistically priced. I'd definitley get this car again.

Cost: 5/5
55-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The A3 Sport is a great car with remarkable fuel economy. Build quality is excellent and Audi,s free MOT and £199.00 service deal for older cars is great. Car came with an extra two years warranty into the bargain. Variable service only needed each 2 years approx. All in all great value for money as residuals are very good.

Cost: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Excellent build-quality , supremely reliable and very economical --- I get an average of 55mpg ! Comfortable , smooth and quiet drive with a superb state of the art common rail diesel. Plenty of practicality in Sportback version. What more could one ask for ?

Cost: 5/5
04-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Fantastic car, I normally change my car every 2-3 years,I have now had my A3 nearly five years and cannot bring myself to sell it, my finance is settled and I do not see the point in buying a new one. It is just as good today as the day I bought it.

Cost: 5/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Excellent to drive. Automatic car so great for long journeys and traffic jams. 05 plate but retains its style and has an impressive interior. Dealer's customer service was disappointing though - wouldn't buy another car from them.

Cost: 4/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Overall I'm very pleased with it, it just costs too much to run these days as fuel is more expensive and the car is getting older and things need fixing. But I have had 4 years of happy motoring out of it and its never let me down.

Cost: 2/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The S3 is undeniably one of the best premium hot hatchbacks, but at £32k (with extras) it is woefully over-priced. Yes the cabin is smart, it handles well, goes well, and only the steering and suspension let it down slightly.

Cost: 3/5
56-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Sensible, reasonably economical but the best, quite powerful but not easy to use. Would be better with the DSG gearbox (or whatever Audi call it) but I haven't got that.

Cost: 4/5
56-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

amazing economy (nearly 50mpg on a motorway run) excellent build quality, decent performance and good to look at to boot. It is everything I hoped it would be.

Cost: 5/5
59-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

My car has been great since i got it. The service at my dealer was fantastic, and with all the extra features for the money, you cant go wrong. Great Job Audi!

Cost: 3/5
06-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Great.
Safe, Reliable, Comfortable, Economical. Drives well.
New set of tyres at 44000miles. Uses 1 litre of oil between flexible services.

Cost: 5/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

I have saved over 500 pounds on my fuel bill in the past year over my ford focus 1.6 auto i had before buying audi a3tdi manual

Cost: 5/5
54-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

A nice, flexible all-round car with a pleasant drive and decent economy. A strong Diesel engine, and decent dealer backup.

Cost: 4/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Car is fine but the Audi dealerships are rubbish - no real idea of customer service and labour charges are very expensive

Cost: 3/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Reliable, punchy engine, economical, looks good. Best car I've had in 40 years of driving. expensive to service though.

Cost: 0/5
59-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Absolutely delighted with the car, I paid quite a bit for various extras, but well worth it.

Cost: 5/5
59-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

its very good, looks good, well built, economical(very) and the bose system is awsome

Cost: 5/5
07-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A quality product, that looks good, drives well and has that added ummph.

Cost: 3/5
04-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A very quick, refined car with excellent interior trim & specification.

Cost: 3/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

I am more than pleased and wish I had purchased Audi's before

Cost: 5/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Old fashioned and dated, which is very expensive to maintain.

Cost: 2/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Expensive to repair; disappointing given Audi's reputation

Cost: 3/5
51-reg , Owner for 1 to 3 years

The best car I've owned yet. And I've owned many cars!

Cost: 3/5
56-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Absolutely fantastic - wished I bought an Audi earlier

Cost: 5/5
09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Excellent car in all respects, shame about the price!

Cost: 4/5
54-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Best car purchase ever. I actually enjoy driving now.

Cost: 5/5
51-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

My best car yet. I'd definitely buy another Audi.

Cost: 3/5
07-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A quality vehicle. Good performance and economy.

Cost: 5/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

My car has lived upto all my expectations sofar.

Cost: 5/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A very well built car that is economical to run

Cost: 5/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Excellent car ..Expensive but worth the money.

Cost: 3/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

A good, economical, easy to drive car

Cost: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Smooth, powerful, economical. solid

Cost: 4/5
59-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

High quality, but uninspiring.

Cost: 3/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Superb performance and economy

Cost: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

good all rounder for price

Cost: 3/5
09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

No complaints,great car.

Cost: 3/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great car to live with.

Cost: 3/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Good but not excellent

Cost: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Well built but dull.

Cost: 5/5
51-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

Superb in every way.

Cost: 5/5
V-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

I enjoy driving it.

Cost: 3/5
T-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Expensivley slow.

Cost: 2/5
59-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Just brilliant

Cost: 5/5
S-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Love the Audi

Cost: 3/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

s3, love it

Cost: 3/5
06-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

a great buy

Cost: 4/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Overpriced

Cost: 5/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

very good

Cost: 5/5