2007 Audi A3 test drive -- and your thoughts on smaller luxury cars
Where is it written that luxury cars have to be big? The days when Cadillac, Lincoln and Imperial were the longest and widest aren't as far gone as they seem. Go to Europe and you'll find luxury cars in all sizes. In Germany, you can even get a Golf with leather seats and a genuine-wood-finished steering wheel. Not here, though -- even Lexus, Audi, Mercedes and BMW, all of whom sell mid-size or smaller luxury cars, save their high-end features for the biggest cars in their lineup.
Here in the States, the Audi A3 is the closest we get to a subcompact luxury car. It's got image, presence, lots of toys, and is an absolute delight to drive. It's also priced accordingly -- $26k for starters, nearly $35k for my test car and over $41k fully loaded. Even for someone like me -- a small car fanatic who wishes we had more cars like this -- the idea of a $41,000 compact hatch is a bit tough to swallow.
Check out my 2007 Audi A3 S-line review and share your thoughts on the subject: What do you think of small luxury cars? Is the A3 worth the money? Would you pay as much for a small luxury car with all the latest toys as you would for a large one? Click the "comments" link and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
I’m not familiar with the Audi. I own a 2006 Lexus IS350 and I’m extremely happy with the car. The IS350 with all the options cost me over $45K and it was money well spent. I have never been an advocate of a huge car. However our 2nd car is a Lexus LS430. That’s as large I want to go. We have made 2 long trips wit the IS350. One to Long Island, NY and one to Houston, TX. Both trips were a pleasure. So as far as I’m concerned I’m very happy with the smaller luxury car and the MPG is great, over 28 MPG. Just because the car is smaller does not mean you have to give up on the comforts. I hear Audi is a great car but I have been a Lexus driver for many, many problem free years. Kal R. from Florida
For that kind of money, give me a 3-series BMW!!
For many years I drove Lincoln Towne Cars and Mercury Gran Marquis sedans w/all the goodies! Then do to my Wife’s health I went to look at MIN-VANS. I was disapointed but kept looking! I used the internet and found that European drivers were having success with a mini-van mfged in KOREA and when the KIA SEDONA became available I purchased the 2002 top of the line! I put over 89,000 miles and was impressed enough to purchase a LARGER 2006 KIA SEDONA. Why? Because the seating is better than the Ford products! The space, inside, holds the wheelchair and walker better than the trunk. You sit up higher plus the grandchildren are NOT breathing down our necks in long drives! This from a luxury car driver for over 35 yrs! Therefore when thinking luxury just don’t look and compare sedans! Think mini-vans also!
Considering that if you live in Paris you would rarely if ever drive to Madrid or Berlin (you will take the train or fly due to the high gasoline cost plus tolls…) and therefore use your “luxury” car to move around town, you will definitely look for a small but comfortable and luxurious car.
Over here the issues are completely different, and unless you live in LA or NYC or similar “congested” areas, there is no real advantage in having your luxury car being small…
One of the main reasons for having a small luxury car is parking spots. As most cars are small all the parking spots (parallel parking is the rule in Europe) are also small, so if you are driving a medium/big size luxury car and you do not have a chauffeur, you will never find a parking spot big enough for your car, so you need to drive the same size car than the “populace” although you can have it loaded….
That is not an issue in the States… another reason why a small luxury car is not something we are looking for and that is why the Audi A3 is not selling…
I believe I have seen just one in one year…
I just bought a 2006 Jeep Commander, 7-seater with many options and a gas guzzling V-8, I love the power and will put up with it for now.
Cost, mileage and reliability will play a major factor in my next purchase as I am now on a low fixed income. (not rich)
You really have to pile in every option on a V6 quattro to get around 40k.
If “Bob” can get a 335 BMW for that money….let me know.
Also, the sunroof has UV glass, so no worries about sunburn.
The A3 isn’t the high-priced hatch everyone makes it out to be.
This car had every option (except S tronic). There is nothing wrong with just a 2.0T S line. That car runs around $28K, the same as a loaded GTI or GLI. At $28K, I’ll take the A3. Its quieter with better styling (IMO) than the other cars. I love the A3, great driving car.
That’s part of the problem. Everyone on the net loves to bash the car, yet maybe .5% of thos efolks have actually driven one. Its a great driving car with lots of utility. It also has a bigger back seat than the A4 line.
Why would I spend 41k when for 30k a hybrid Camry is wonderful. Leather, sun roof, gps,heated seats. All it lacks is wood trim and with that I keep 11k.
After having driven luxury cars for years,I finally realized you can get the same conveniences in a so called,non-luxury,car.
I now drive a DODGE MAGNUM with all the goodies,including the HEMI.
After a long trip of eight hours or more, we arrive refreshed and not as limp as a used washcloth!Great car.
The difference between the A3 and the Camry is HUGE. The difference is not the superficial features, rather the difference is in the driving dynamics. Camrys are unsophisticated, no contest for the fun, sporty drive of an Audi. If you’re looking for a car that gets from A to B with some electronic bells and whistles, the Camry is fine. But if you are looking for a truly well-designed and built vehicle, it is hard to beat an Audi.
I live in Japan and the advertising on TV for the Nissan TIIDA, describes it as Luxury meets Compact. I’m not positive but I think the TIIDA and VERSA sold in Canada sure look the same. Now I wouldn’t call them luxury cars but at that price I would have to say it’s as close as you can get.
If my 2003 Ford Focus ZTS had a quieter motor and more luxurious seating I would consider it more of a keeper. I’ve got over 80k miles and it’s still a hoot to drive.
HEY AARON, LOOKS LIKE YOU IMPRESSED ME ENOUGH TO CONTACT MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER TO DO A TEST DRIVE AFTER THE NEW YEAR! ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU’RE NOT A CLOSET AUDI SALESMAN? DON
Considering that you can get a brand new Infiniti G35 for 31,450 (the base version) I would always orefer a powerful rear wheel drive to the A3, and it is more luxurious too…
Considering that you can get a brand new Infiniti G35 for $31,450 (the base version) I would always prefer a powerful RWD to the A3, and it is more luxurious too…
Was very serious about the A3 and then I drove a VW GTI that was loaded. Looked at the sticker price and said are you crazy!
All the quality is there in the VW and if you have to have 4 doors it is now available though not the case when I purchased the GTI. Now after the APR chip it is as good as the S Line.
Still I think it is a great car…just have to question the value. And maybe just maybe I like the styling and the lighter interiors a touch more.
The mindset of having big has always baffled me. I own a 2006 Grand Caravan for highway travel. It is far more comfortable than the 300C Hemi’s that are in our fleet at work. My wife has a 2002 Sebring LXI with most of the luxury apointments. It is a fine car with plenty of room. It has always mysterfyed me why Chrysler would not extend all of the amenities that it offers on the 300C’s such as automatic temperature control. The Sebring is a much more nimble handling car. Yes, the ride is not quite as cushiony as a 300C, but I’ll take the nimble handling anytime. I like the 32 mpg highway I get with the Sebring. I can keep up with the 80 mph Interstate traffic easily and safely. Back in the 50’s and 60’s your only choice was big. the compact and midsize were purposely made to be inferior than big cars. What short sightedness by the auto companies. This attitude by the Big Three is a large part of the reason they are in trouble today.
I just bought this car because if it’s combination of performance, utility and luxury – all three being important to me. It truly is a fun little car to drive – fast and tight. The DSG tranny is without a doubt the best on the market. It is versatile – I can fit my family or when by myself, my bike (with the seats folded down.) If you want only performance there are clearly better choices; likewise with utility and luxury. I am not sure you can find a better choice that meets all three criteria for this kind of money.
If you don’t care about image, get the 4 door GTI. It offers all of the same performance and utility but with less prestige than the A3 for $4k less money.
If you demand a performance car but need more cargo space than a sedan will provide and you also care about the badge on the grill, you should definitely buy this car.