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Car Summary: The 2009 Audi A3T is the ideal vehicle for anyone seeking an attractive, Euro-sedan that’s capable of spirited driving but with utilitarian, hatchback functionality. Even our tester with the smaller 2.0T, 200 horsepower engine delivered sufficiently entertaining power, and throwing the car through twisting, two-lane desert roads at high velocities made for some of the best driving we’ve enjoyed in as long as we can remember. Shifting feels so effortless that having a manual in the middle of gridlock didn’t seem all that bad. We took the car from the heart of LA’s traffic, through the desert and back home through a torrential downpour; the A3 felt superb in all situations.
The cabin is thoughtfully designed and built from quality materials. The leather-wrapped steering wheel in your left hand creates a reassuring, confident bond between you and the vehicle, and the oversized, rubbery shift knob in your right hand reinforces this. Audio and HVAC controls are intuitive and easily accessed, and their surfaces, adorned with ridged aluminum gives them a sophisticated look and feel. Seats are comfortable with ample support, and can articulate to accommodate any normal-sized human. Head and legroom front and back should be more than enough for most people, and it’s easy to get and stay comfortable for several hours of driving on end.
The entry-level A3 starts at $26,920 and can be optioned up to an additional $20k. That said, its fundamentals are so solid that numerous options aren’t required to make it a more than decent daily driver. With its mix of sporting performance and utilitarian functionality, it’s a very attractive step up from other, more modestly priced hatchbacks.
Design
Appearance
- Updated front fascia looks great, on par with the rest of the Audi family updates
- Standard Xenon headlamps give it a distinguished look
- Rear gate is more sloped than previous years, giving it a more aggressive stance
- Standard 17-inch alloy wheels nicely fill out wheel wells, giving the car a solid look
Functional
- Easy to use, intuitive dashboard and interface
- Comfortable, accommodating interior
- Ample cargo area, easily accessed
- Odd overlap between parking break and center armrest
Driving Impressions
Handling
- Feels solid at all speeds and on wet or dry roads
- Slight torque steer felt on freeway entrance ramps
- Adjustable suspension lets you tailor handling to situations
- Entertaining where sensible, confident when necessary
Drivetrain
- Gearbox is smooth and linear, no odd locking or trouble getting into certain gears
- Enough power on-demand to make downshifting and passing speeds easily attainable
- Manual is great, but DSG’s twin-clutch design would offer better, quicker shifting
Sense Points
- Interior surfaces adorned with quality materials - leathers are soft to the touch, plastics and metals feel solid
- Very good visibility in most directions, though backing up is somewhat cautious with the rear hatch
- Cabin noise is minimal, even when traveling at higher speeds
- Seats are comfortable, front and back
Situational
- Handles well on dirt roads, and very well on wet pavement
- Adjustable suspension lets you set for your comfort/enjoyment level
- Easy to use 6-speed is so effortless that sitting in gridlock in a manual wasn’t the burden that it might be in other cars
- Base level engine is entertaining and has no problem delivering capable highway performance
Comfort
- Seats can adjust to fit most passengers, and are soft yet supportive
- Interior feels comfortable, even for long stretches of driving
- Ride is stable and comfortable in all tested situations (city, severe rain, highway, and dirt roads)
Basic Specifications
Engine
- 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection
- 3.2-liter V-6 engine
Length
Height
Width
- 78.5" (incl. mirrors)
- 69.5" (without mirrors)
Wheelbase
Ground Clearance
Capabilities and Capacities
Output
- 200 hp / 207 lb-ft (2.0 TFSI)
- 250 hp / 236 lb-ft (3.2)
Cargo Volume
Fuel capacity
Fuel Economy and Green Footprint
- 22/28 mpg (2.0 TFSI, FWD automatic)
- 21/30 mpg (2.0 TFSI, FWD manual)
- 21/28 mpg (2.0 TFS, quattro)
- 18/25 mpg (3.2)
Safety
- Front airbags with Sideguard
- Impact protection
- Rear side airbags (optional)
- Tire pressure montiring system
- ABS
- Electronic Brake-pressure Distributor
- Electronic Differential Lock
- Hydraulic Brake Assist
Pricing
- $26,920 MSRP (2.0 TFSI)
- $36,974 MSRP (3.2)
Options
18" Sport Package
- Sport seats
- Sport suspension
- 18" five tri-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 summer-performance tires
18" Sport Package with Audi magnetic ride
- Sport seats
- Sport suspension
- 18" five tri-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 summer-performance tires
- Audi magnetic ride suspension
Cold Weather Package
- Heated front seats
- Heated windshield washer nozzles
- Heated exterior mirrors
Convenience Package (standard on 3.2)
- Auto-dimming interior mirror with compass
- Rain/light sensor
- Bi-xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights
- Bose premium sound system
Premium Package (standard on 3.2)
- Three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel (with shift paddles on S tronic)
- Power front driver seat (includes four-way power lumbar)
- Bluetooth hands-free phone interface
- Illumination package
- Storage package
- Aluminum belt line trim
- Front fog lights
- 17" ten-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 all-season tires
S Line Package (standard on 3.2)
- Three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel (with shift paddles on S tronic)
- Power front driver seat (includes four-way power lumbar)
- Bluetooth hands-free phone interface
- Illumination package
- Storage package
- Aluminum belt line trim
- Front fog lights
- 17" ten-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 all-season tires
- Brushed aluminum trim from quattro GmbH
- S line front and rear bumper
- Roof spoiler
- S line door sill inlays
Titanium Package
- 18" seven double-spoke titanium color-cast alloy wheels with 225/45 summer performance tire
- Black grille and exterior trim
- Black headliner
- Piano Black decorative inlays
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