2010 Audi A3 Reviews, Information, specs and more
The A3 has a tasteful but small interior and generous power output. A turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine powers the base model. The S-tronic transmission, a manual that shifts automatically, works very well. We found the A3 quite nimble and quick, but the steering is too light at low speeds. Audi has introduced an AWD option for the 2.0-liter version, and a diesel model will go on sale in 2010. The smooth 3.2-liter V6 was dropped for 2010. Common options easily push the price over $30,000. IIHS crash-test results are impressive. Reliability has improved to average.
Audi A3
2.0T 4-cyl
Right arrowOverview
Tested Model
The model year, trimline, bodystyle, engine, and transmission of the version that we tested.
Tested Model 2006 2.0T 4-door hatchback, 2.0-liter Four turbo, 6-speed sequential
Tires as tested
The tire size and model that were on the vehicle that we tested.
Tires as tested Pirelli P6 Four Seasons, size P225/45R17 91V
Owner Satisfaction
Indicates percentage of owners surveyed who would definitely purchase the same vehicle again.
Owner Satisfaction 3
Predicted Reliability
Predicted reliability is our forecast of how well a model is likely to hold up derived from our latest Annual Car Reliability Survey. We averaged a model's Used Car Verdict for the newest three years, provided the model did not change significantly during that time. Refer to Reliability History for more detailed explanation.
Predicted Reliability 3
Owner Costs
The costs of owning a car continue long after you leave the dealership and can vary greatly from car to car. They include depreciation, interest, sales tax, insurance, fuel, and maintenance and repair costs. Our owner cost ratings are estimates to help you compare how expensive vehicles will be over the first 5 years.
Owner Costs 4
Right arrowSafety
Antilock brakes
Antilock brake systems prevent the wheels from locking during panic stops, and ensures directional stability under hard braking. Availability refers to the availability of four-wheel systems only.
Antilock brakes Standard
Traction control
Traction control helps maintain traction on slippery conditions.
Traction control Standard
Stability control
Stability control helps prevent skidding sideways and can prevent a rollover.
Stability control Standard
Daytime running lights
Daytime running lights (DRL) is a system that runs the low-beam headlights at reduced intensity during the day for safety.
Daytime running lights Not available
Tire pressure monitor
Tire pressure monitor notifies the driver if a tire pressure is low.
Tire pressure monitor Available
Safety belts
The center-rear belt is either a lap belt or, better, a 3-point belt. Pretensioners front and rear work instantly to take up slack in the seatbelt during a front crash. They help to keep occupants in the optimal position prior to air-bag deployment.
Safety belts
Center-rear belt
It is the type of belt used in the center-rear seat. A 3-point belt is the safest type, and almost all new vehicles use it. Some vehicles still use a lap belt.
Center-rear belt 3-point
Pretensioners, front/rear
Pretensioners front and rear work instantly to take up slack in the seatbelt during a frontal crash. They help to keep occupants in the optimal position prior to air-bag deployment.
Pretensioners, front/rear Yes/yes
Air bags
Some vehicles have an occupant-sensing device that turns off the front or side air bags if the occupant is below a set weight or leans against a door. More vehicles offer side air bags as well as head-protection bags (typically side curtain air bags). An accident alert system calls for help if the air bags deloy in a crash.
Air bags
Occupant-sensing system
A device that turns off the front or side air bags if the occupant is below a set weight or leans against a door.
Occupant-sensing system Front
Side bags, front/rear
Side air bags in the front and rear protect the occupant's torso from an impact from the side.
Side bags, front/rear Standard/optional
Side curtain air bags
Head-protection air bags (typically side curtain air bags) protect the occupants head from an impact from the side.
Side curtain air bags Standard
Accident alert system
An accident alert system calls for help if an air bag deploys in a crash.
Accident alert system Not available
Crash and rollover tests
IIHS offset-crash test
Offset-crash scores are based on offset-frontal tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), funded by the auto-insurance industry. This test runs a vehicle's left front into a deformable barrier at 40 mph. The IIHS rates vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
IIHS offset-crash test Good
IIHS side-crash test with side airbags
The IIHS side-crash test simulates a vehicle being hit in the side by an SUV or pickup truck at 31 mph. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested, with or without side- and head-curtain air bags, or in cases where data is available, with both scores. The IIHS rates vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
IIHS side-crash test with side airbags Good
IIHS side-crash test without side air bags
The IIHS side-crash test simulates a vehicle being hit in the side by an SUV or pickup truck at 31 mph. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested, with or without side- and head-curtain air bags, or in cases where data is available, with both scores. The IIHS rates vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
IIHS side-crash test without side air bags NA
Gov't front-crash test, driver
Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government front scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The front-crash test simulates a head-on, full-frontal crash with an identical vehicle. Scores are assigned to the driver and the front passenger.
Gov't front-crash test, driver NA
Gov't front-crash test, front pass.
Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government front scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The front-crash test simulates a head-on, full-frontal crash with an identical vehicle. Scores are assigned to the driver and the front passenger.
Gov't front-crash test, front pass. NA
Gov't side-crash test, driver
Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government side scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The side-crash test simulates a car traveling at 17 mph being hit from the side at 34 mph. Scores are provided for the driver and the left rear-seat passenger.
Gov't side-crash test, driver NA
Gov't side-crash test, rear pass.
Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government side scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The side-crash test simulates a car traveling at 17 mph being hit from the side at 34 mph. Scores are provided for the driver and the left rear-seat passenger.
Gov't side-crash test, rear pass. NA
Gov't rollover test, 2WD
Government Rollover test score denotes the risk of a rollover and is based on a static measurement of a vehicle's track width and center of gravity, and a dynamic rollover test which puts vehicles through a handling course simulating a driver overcorrecting when avoiding an object in the road. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested. Some vehicles will have scores for both two- and four- or all-wheel-drive models. Vehicles that lifted two wheels during the test have their scores marked with an asterisk (*).
Key for Rollover ratings:
Risk less than 10%
Risk between 10% and 20%
Risk between 20% and 30%
Risk between 30% and 40%
Risk greater than 40%
Gov't rollover test, 2WD NA
Gov't rollover test, 4WD
Government Rollover test score denotes the risk of a rollover and is based on a static measurement of a vehicle's track width and center of gravity, and a dynamic rollover test which puts vehicles through a handling course simulating a driver overcorrecting when avoiding an object in the road. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested. Some vehicles will have scores for both two- and four- or all-wheel-drive models. Vehicles that lifted two wheels during the test have their scores marked with an asterisk (*).
Key for Rollover ratings:
Risk less than 10%
Risk between 10% and 20%
Risk between 20% and 30%
Risk between 30% and 40%
Risk greater than 40%
Gov't rollover test, 4WD NA
Right arrowPerformance
Acceleration
Acceleration runs are made from a standstill with engine idling, except for the 45- and 65-mph passing test.
Acceleration 4
0 to 30 mph, sec. 2.9
0 to 60 mph, sec. 7.3
45 to 65 mph, sec. 4.4
Quarter-mile, sec 15.7
Quarter-mile, mph 92.2
Transmission
Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Transmission 5
RPM at 60 mph
The engine speed when cruising in high gear at 60mph.
RPM at 60 mph 2,390
Routine handling
Routine handling judgment reflects how agile the vehicle is on the road by the amount of body lean and steering response. Also reflects turning circle.
Routine handling 5
Emergency handling
Emergency handling judgment reflects how the vehicle performed when pushed to its limits on the track and in our emergency-avoidance maneuver.
Emergency handling 4
Avoidance maneuver, max speed
The avoidance-maneuver speed indicates the maximum speed at which a vehicle successfully negotiated the course.
Avoidance maneuver, max speed 54.0
Braking
The braking judgement is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances, resistance to fade, as well as pedal feel and directional stability. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Braking 4
Braking from 60 mph dry, ft. 134
Braking from 60 mph wet, ft. 149
Headlights 3
Right arrowComfort/convenience
Ride
The ride comfort judgment is determined by how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces including highway and rough roads.
Ride 4
Noise
Noise judgement is a composite of several instrumented measurements as well as subjective evaluation in normal driving.
Noise 4
Driving position
Driving positon indictates how well drivers of various heights are situated in relation to the controls and their visibility.
Driving position 4
Front seat comfort
Front seat comfort is determined by a jury evaluation of various sized testers.
Front seat comfort 4
Front shoulder room, in
Front shoulder room is measured from door panel to door panel across the front passengers seating position.
Front shoulder room, in 54.0
Front leg room, in
Front leg room is the maximum distance from the heel of the tester's accelerator foot to the seatback.
Front leg room, in 42.0
Front head room, in
Head room is the clearance above a 5-foot 9-inch tester's head.
Front head room, in 4.5
Rear seat comfort
Rear seat comfort is determined by a jury evaluation of various sized testers. It is done with both two and three passengers across.
Rear seat comfort 3
Rear shoulder room, in
Rear shoulder room is measured from door panel to door panel across the rear passengers seating position.
Rear shoulder room, in 52.5
Rear fore-aft room, in
Rear fore-and-aft room is the horizontal distance between the rear and front seatback, with front leg room set at 40 inches.
Rear fore-aft room, in 25.5
Rear head room, in
Head room is the clearance above a 5-foot 9-inch tester's head.
Rear head room, in 2.0
Third seat comfort
Third seat comfort is determined by a jury evaluation of various sized testers.
Third seat comfort NA
Third seat shoulder room, in
Third seat shoulder room is measured wall to wall across the third seat passengers seating position.
Third seat shoulder room, in NA
Third seat fore-aft room, in
Third fore-and-aft room is the horizontal distance between the third and rear seatbacks.
Third seat fore-aft room, in NA
Third seat head room, in
Head room is the clearance above a 5-foot 9-inch tester's head.
Third seat head room, in NA
Front access
Access indicates the how easy it is to enter and exit the cabin.
Front access 4
Rear access
Access indicates the how easy it is to enter and exit the cabin.
Rear access 3
Third access
Access indicates the how easy it is to enter and exit the cabin.
Third access NA
Controls and display
Controls and displays are judged by their clarity and intuitiveness.
Controls and display 4
Interior fit and finish
Fit and Finish is an evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Interior fit and finish 4
Trunk/Cargo Area
Trunks are judged by the amount of luggage they can accommodate. Cargo room for wagons, minivans, and SUVs is determined by the volume of the largest expandable pipe-frame box that can be enclosed.
Trunk/Cargo Area 1
Luggage/cargo capacity, cu. ft.
Cargo volume (for minivans, wagons, and SUVs) is the volume of a pipeframe "box" that is expanded until it just fits the cargo area through the rear opening. No volume is given for pickups because there is no height limit. Luggage capacity (for sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, and convertibles) indicates the number of large suitcases and smaller duffel bags that can fit in a car's trunk.
Luggage/cargo capacity, cu. ft. 19.5
Climate system 4
Right arrowFuel Economy
CR's overall mileage, mpg
CR's overall milage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city simulation, highway cruising, and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving.
CR's overall mileage, mpg 25
CR's city/highway, mpg
Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city simulation and highway cruising.
CR's city/highway, mpg 18 / 33
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg
Measured fuel usage on CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving.
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg 30
Annual fuel
Annual fuel is the cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage, figuring fuel cost at $2.50 per gallon for regular, $2.70 for premium, and $2.60 for diesel. Both annual cost and amount of fuel are rounded to the nearest 5.
Annual fuel 480 gal. / $1,300
Cruising range, mi.
Cruising range is the distance that can be covered on a full tank of fuel, using the fuel mileage recorded on our 150-mile trip of mixed driving.
Cruising range, mi. 405
Fuel capacity, gal.
The number of gallons hold in a full tank of gas.
Fuel capacity, gal. 14.5
Fuel type
Fuel type notes the grade the manufacturer recommends for this tested model's engine or a typical engine.
Fuel type Premium
EPA city, mpg
The EPA city mileage is an estimate from the Government's Environmental Protection Agency for the tested model or a typical model in city driving.
EPA city, mpg 25
EPA highway, mpg
The EPA highway mileage is an estimate from the Government's Environmental Protection Agency for the tested model or a typical model in highway driving.
EPA highway, mpg 31
Right arrowSpecifications
Length, in.
Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer.
Length, in. 169
Width, in.
Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer.
Width, in. 77
Height, in.
Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer.
Height, in. 56
Wheelbase, in.
Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer.
Wheelbase, in. 102
Turning circle, ft.
Turning circle is the bumper clearance needed to make a U-turn; a 35- to 40-foot diameter lets you turn around in a two-lane road.
Turning circle, ft. 35
Road clearance, in.
Ground clearance, measured to the nearest half-inch, is based on a fully loaded car.
Road clearance, in. 4.0
Curb weight, lb.
Curb weight is our measurement without people or cargo.
Curb weight, lb. 3,305
Percent weight, front/rear
Percent front/rear shows the vehicle's weight distribution.
Percent weight, front/rear 60 / 40
Max. load, lb.
Maximum load includes occupants and luggage, and is as specified by the manufacturer or calculated from the difference between the manufacturer's specified gross vehicle weight and our test vehicle weight.
Max. load, lb. 990
Typical Towing capacity, lb.
Typical towing ability is for a commonly equipped vehicle. Some models offer a towing package that increases this ability, while some cars aren't recommended for towing. ("NR" means towing is not recommended.)
Typical Towing capacity, lb. NR
Right arrowWarranty
Basic 4/50
Powertrain 4/50
Rust through 12/unlimited
Roadside aid 4/unlimited
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