2008 Audi A3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Reframe your Audi A3 vantage point from hatchback to wagon, and this upscale entry-level luxury car is instantly more appealing. After all, the term ‘hatchback’ carries the stigma of the econoboxes of yesteryear, while ‘wagon’ is ultra-niche cool with car enthusiasts. See? The design problem has been solved.

Speaking of design, a no-nonsense Germanic ethos guides both the A3’s exterior and interior styling. Austere even as Audis go, the A3’s muted cabin is nevertheless an artful collection of round reference points, consistent tones and textures, and genuine aluminum accents.

A 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine is standard in the A3 2.0T, and it makes power specs of 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, the latter available from a relatively low 1,800 rpm. In Canada, this engine is offered exclusively with a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with Audi’s S-tronic six-speed sequential manual automated gearbox an option. S-tronic includes paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching for a more engaging driving experience. Official fuel efficiency estimates measure 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.8 on the highway with the manual, and 9.3 city/6.9 hwy with S-tronic.

The A3 3.2 Quattro has a 3.2-litre V6 engine making 250 hp and 236 lb-ft, comes with a standard S-tronic transmission, and includes standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). This version of the car costs substantially more (by more than $10,000), and it also weighs substantially more, so if you don’t require AWD, skip the 3.2 Quattro. Acceleration with this powertrain is only slightly quicker, and this model gets worse fuel economy, averaging 11.3 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

Either version of the 2008 A3 is relatively speedy, and S-tronic is remarkably satisfying to actively use, even if it can feel unnatural when driven in fully automatic mode. The A3’s steering is light but delivers plenty of feedback, and the car strikes a terrific balance between ride quality and handling capability.

With a starting price of more than $32,000, you’re paying mainly for the four rings on the A3’s grille and not for a substantial upgrade in terms of equipment. For example, while dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats and side mirrors, power windows, variable intermittent wipers, and leather seats are standard, a power-adjusting driver’s seat is an option.

Of course, you can pay extra to equip the car with lots of features, commensurately inflating the price tag. In addition to its V6 engine, standard S-tronic transmission, and AWD, the A3 3.2 Quattro includes S-line equipment, helping to justify its price premium. S-line adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel along with sportier styling details and a sport-tuned suspension, and the new Titanium package adds 18-inch titanium-colour alloy wheels, performance tires, and other accents. Other options for the A3, depending on the model, include Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity and a navigation system.

Get inside the A3, and you’ll find somewhat snug but supportive front seats. High windowsills can make the cabin feel claustrophobic, but people who prefer a low, sporty driving position will like the sensation. Practical storage space is lacking, but the door-panel bins and the glove box are usefully sized.

Backseat room is downright cramped in terms of headroom and legroom. This is not a good car for carrying passengers, unless they’re children who’ve grown out of their car seats. And in that case, your passengers will complain loudly about not being able to see out the windows.

What the A3 is good for is hauling cargo. Behind the rear seat, the A3 offers 552 litres of cargo space when you stack luggage to the roof. Folding the 60/40-split back seat down produces an uneven load floor but allows the A3 to swallow up to 1,585 litres of your junk into its trunk.

Right out of the box, the 2008 Audi A3 has dual-zone automatic climate control, a CD/MP3 player, and a decent 10-speaker sound system. As part of its long list of standard features, the 3.2 Quattro also has a six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, and a premium sound system.

Options include a navigation system and Bluetooth hands-free cell-phone pairing for making and receiving calls.

While the A3’s standard stability control is great for preventing a collision, the car’s standard dual front, dual front side airbags, and side curtain airbags help occupants to survive a crash. Audi also offers rear side-impact airbags.

In safety testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2008 Audi A3 earns a Top Safety Pick rating.

The Audi A3 is a niche-oriented vehicle designed for a specific kind of person. People seeking a fun-to-drive hatchback can get more thrills for fewer bills by choosing the brilliant Mazda Mazdaspeed 3, the redesigned Subaru WRX, or the iconic Volkswagen GTI. If the 3.2 Quattro is enticing, keep in mind that its price tag puts the A3 into direct contention with more luxurious sports sedans like the BMW 3 Series, the Infiniti G35, and Audi’s own A4.

Still, the combination of German engineering and tuning with conservatively artful design and an eminently useful hatchback configuration could prove irresistible to a specific kind of buyer.

Note: Images show a US model.