The first A-3 TDI reach the roads for 2010 as Audi's 2nd diesel-run offer for the U.S. marketplace, this year's Q7 SUV being the first. Those versions paved a broad road for ensuing diesel Audis: The four-band brand now offers Americans six diesel versions, more than every other carmaker. Carrying out a diesel blitz for the 2014 model-year, Audi added its A-6, A7, and A8 sedans along with its Q5 cross over to the diesel line.

All the marque's A-badged versions now has a diesel take speed of about one-tenth, as well as the compression-ignition cross-overs promote in increased percents. The A-3 was lately re designed, nevertheless, also it is now Audi's freshest diesel version.

Family Issues

We were impressed with all the gas-run, all-wheel-push A-3 in a 2014 comparison evaluation, where it overcome a BMW 228i and a Mercedes Benz CLA250. That A-3 was cozy, stunning, and fast. The front wheel drive diesel A-3 examined here was cozy, stunning, and . . . fuel-effective.

"Fast" definitely will not belong one of the most important descriptors of the A-3 TDI--at least in accordance with its stable mates. Needing 7.9 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour and 16.2 to finish the quartermile at 86 miles per hour, the diesel trails the comparing-evaluation-winning gas A3 2.0T by 2.5 seconds to 60 miles per hour and by 2.2 ticks and 14 miles per hour in the quartermile. (The 292-hp, 4.4-second S3 that shares the exact same stage and fundamental body is on a whole other level.) Despite a fast-changing transmission, the TDI's power-train runs from real push as you scale above 3500 rpm or so (redline is 5000), but the vehicle feels spritely off the line, which can be practical around town.

The A-3 TDI's functionality stats are obliterated perhaps not only by those of the gas version, but in addition by BMW's entry level diesel, the 328d, which will be the most similar diesel in our marketplace, even though it has a base cost $6455 more exorbitant than that of the $33,495 a 3 TDI. In our screening, the 328d--additionally two-wheel-drive (the bottoms versus this Audi's front drive set up), as well as propelled with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four--turned in exceptional times of 6.8 seconds to 60 and 15.3 in the quartermile.

At least the 211-pound-light A3 TDI nips the BMW in our braking and cornering evaluations, showing a fade-free stopping length of 160 toes from 70 miles per hour and drawing 0.92 g on the skidpad, despite reasonable lead. You are not likely to to put up a Quick & Furious-style stunt present in this vehicle, but three-phase stability handle (on, athletics, away) is a welcome attribute. Plus, the A3 TDI is fairly great to drive, with closely managed body movements and extremely great steering precision and feel.

Keep on Drivin'

But folks usually purchase diesel autos not for efforts quantified on the test monitor but for calculations made subsequent visits to the filling station. In that regard, the a 3 TDI do exceptionally well, averaging 38-mpg more than 965 965 miles in our treatment (excluding, as-is our plan, the partial tank used up during functionality testing). That is 2 mpg better than the US Environmental Protection Agency's combined standing but 1 mpg self-conscious of our observed mileage in these 328d. However, 500 miles between fill ups should be no difficulty whatsoever. (For our first drive of the 2015 A3 TDI, Audi authorities challenged us to push 845 miles from Albuquerque to San-Diego on just one tank. We did not really make it, but we got near.)

At speeds beyond what any hypermiler would do, the A-3 allows a disappointing number of noise to the cottage. We quantified 72 decibels at 70 miles per hour, two louder than the 328d and five noisier compared to A3 2.0T. At idle, the diesel A3 was four decibels louder compared to A3 2.0T and only a bit more silent than the 328d. Even the $25K Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI is more silent than the a 3 TDI, which is not some thing would-be Audi clients will be satisfied to discover. All that mentioned, diesels are somewhat quieter than they were a decade or two past.

Luckily for Audi, there is no Volkswagen or sub-$50K BMW that will hold a candle to the A3's wonderful inside and its own sharp-looking fit of sheet-metal. As we mentioned in bestowing the most cost-effective Audi its crown in that 2014 comparison test: “The A3 says: You’re maybe not in the low-priced Audi, merely the little Audi." An enormous sunroof brightens the cottage, whose back quarters are fairly confined in headroom but are still much better than typical in this section. The navigation program, component of a $2600 alternative bundle, is user friendly and is shown by means of a big display that appears trick as it ascends from a a skinny slot in the dash. (Even though we question exactly what the display motor's running position will likely be, say, 10 years later on.) Premium Plus, the single other alternative bundle on our auto, brought things like 10-spoke wheels, heated front seats, and inactive entrance for $2550. Tack on $550 for the strong Mythos Black paint, and our A-3 arrived in at $39,195.

That is maybe not the most economical method to get 38-mpg, but nevertheless, it could function as the classiest. As lengthy as you are really not in a huge rush.