Competition
This A3 3.2 S-Line Quattro has a base price of $45,690. Options are pricey and included the Misano Red Pearl Effect paint ($1,000), the Open Sky System ($1,500), the navigation system ($4,000!), the 18-inch 20-spoke wheels with 225/40R18 tires ($1,400) and the Technology Package ($1,800), for a grand total of $55,390. That's a lot of dough for a compact car, good or not.
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| The A3 3.2 S-Line Quattro has a base price of $45,690. |
Premium hatchbacks are common in Europe, but not in the North American. The A3 has no direct rivals here, but we can consider smallish wagons like the $45,100 BMW 328xi Touring, the $43,895 Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi, the $41,795 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Wagon and the $41,495 Volvo V50 T5 AWD. The BMW and the Volvo can reach this A3's as-tested price with options; the Saab and Subaru are less expensive, but their equipment list is shorter, and the Saab doesn't offer all-wheel drive.
You might think I'm out of my mind, but the A3 3.2 makes a $30,995 MAZDASPEED3 look like a Cougar Ace clearance special. Ok, it doesn't have all-wheel drive, the powertrain isn't as satisfying, and it lacks the Audi's prestige factor, but it's as fun to drive.
Conclusion
The Audi A3 3.2 S-Line Quattro looks great, feels expensive and is a blast to drive. It's just too darn expensive. A 2.0T with the S-Tronic goes for $35,450, and that makes much better sense to me.
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A thrill to drive
Looks great
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Annoying door hinges
Tight cockpit
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High price
For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.
If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
photo:Philippe Champoux
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