2007 Audi A3 - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	2.0T w/S line Pkg., man. Rating (See All Ratings)	Premium Compact Car Average Rating

Acceleration	7	6.6

Fuel Economy	6	5.4

Ride Quality	4	5.9

Steering/Handling/Braking	7	7.3

Quietness	6	6.2

Controls	8	7.2

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)	7	6.9

Room/Comfort (rear)	4	3.7

Cargo Room	6	4.2

Value within Class	7	6.3

Total Score:	62	59.7

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

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2007 Audi A3 Review

This 4-dr hatchback shares some underskin design with the Jetta and Rabbit from Audi-parent Volkswagen. The A3 is smaller and less costly than Audi's A4 compacts. The A3 2.0T has front-wheel drive and a 200-hp turbocharged 4-cyl engine. The A3 3.2 quattro S line has a 250-hp V6 and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. The 2.0T comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. Optional for the 2.0T and standard on the 3.2 is Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox, which is a sequential manual transmission (SMT). ABS, traction/antiskid control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags are standard. Rear side airbags are optional. Leather upholstery, sport front seats, alloy cabin accents, and sport-tuned suspension are standard on 3.2, optional for 2.0T. A navigation system is optional. New for 2007 are an available wireless cell phone link, and a 2.0T S line Package with 3.2 styling cues.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. Our Recommended picks are the Acura TSX and Audi A3.

New or significantly redesigned is the BMW 3-Series.

News

A 4-passenger A3 convertible is said to be due sometime in 2008, perhaps as an early-'09 model. It should share most features with A3 hatchbacks, powerteams included, and will probably have a power-operated cloth roof rather than a hideaway hard top. All A3s are expected to get a freshening at decade's end; look for them in the U.S. as 2010 or 2011 models.

Earlier reports had Audi working on a smaller "A1" hatchback to compete with the BMW Mini and other upscale subcompacts. We've heard nothing lately, suggesting the car is still some ways off. Indeed, sources don't expect to see it until early next decade, assuming Audi gives it the go-ahead.

2007 Audi A3 Road Test >

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