2011 Audi A3

The 2011 Audi A3 is a stylish and upscale hatchback. The A3 has compelling options like an efficient diesel engine and optional all-wheel drive, and its agile handling and quick-shifting transmission draw praise from reviewers. A steep base price prevents it from being a top choice when compared to other economy hatchbacks, including its corporate stablemate, the highly rated 2011 Volkswagen Golf (Base MSRP: $17,995 to $19,755). Other cars that are nearly half the price, such as the 2011 Mazda3 (Base MSRP: $15,800 to $23,010), are also fun to drive and offer hatchback utility.

The 2011 A3 remains essentially unchanged from last year aside from a few minor trim enhancements and new wheel options. For more details, see our page on the 2010 Audi A3 (Base MSRP: $27,270 to $30,850).

Different versions of the A3 have varying degrees of fuel efficiency based on specific combinations of transmissions, engines and all-wheel drive. The base, turbocharged, 2-liter four-cylinder gets 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined with the six-speed manual, while the six-speed automatic is rated slightly lower at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined. Quattro all-wheel drive is available only with the automatic transmission and 2-liter four-cylinder, and returns the same fuel economy as the non-all-wheel drive version except for a city rating that is one mile per gallon lower. The 2-liter, diesel four-cylinder is available only with the six-speed automatic and delivers an impressive 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway/34 mpg combined.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2011 A3 as a Top Safety Pick in the midsize car category. This means that it receives the highest rating of Good in tests of front-, side- and rear-impact protection, as well as roof strength. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not tested the 2011 Audi A3.

Base MSRP for the 2011 A3 is $27,270 for the 2.0T Premium trim and $30,850 for the 2.0T Premium Quattro, the all-wheel-drive model.