Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: £15,265 to £26,525
Beautifully made, compact, exceptionally quick, superb all-weather abilities, useful six-speed gearbox, retains its value well.
A little cramped, slightly notchy gearshift, engine note, handling and ride below par, expensive, a likely target for professional thieves.
A very desirable, high quality car that combines near-supercar performance with hatchback versatility. Not an emotionally-engaging driving machine, though.
Limited right-hand drive supply and an impeccable image count strongly in its favour. The S3 is very highly rated by enthusiasts, and its limited numbers should ensure it remains desirable as a used buy. One for sports-car specialists and Audi dealers to resell.
The 1.8T Quattro is arguably a better buy for those who want a performance A3 that's fun to drive and loses less value. Despite its quality build and good residual values, the S3 is quite expensive. The Subaru Impreza Turbo is cheaper, as is the Honda Accord Type-R. Ultimately the closest competition comes from its sister car, the VW Golf 4Motion which offers the same pace, more space and for less money. The Golf's V6 engine is also a more characterful and pleasant powerplant.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Audi A3
wrote on 18 05 2007
wrote on 07 10 2006
wrote on 09 06 2006