Used Audi A3 (13-present) long term test
The Audi A3 is our Used Family Car Of The Year award winner, but does it still make for a great second-hand purchase with its revised 1.5-litre engine? We have six months to find out...
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The car 2018 Audi A3 Sportback 1.5 150 TFSI Sport
- Run by Max Adams, used cars reporter
- Why it’s here To find out if our 2019 used family car of the year still represents a stonking used purchase
- Needs to Prove that it’s worth the premium over lesser family cars, and whether this latest 1.5 TFSI engine is as good as the old 1.4 engine
Price when new £30,695 (including £5560 worth of options) Value on arrival £19,629 (trade, no options) Value now £18,044 (trade in) Miles on arrival 4037 Mileage now 6989 Official economy 55.4mpg Test economy 48.2mpg
10 April 2019 - Now you see it, now you don't
I have no doubt that many of you would take one look at the fancy folding actions of the central screen in the Audi A3 and think that it’s an unnecessary piece of theatre. However, I believe it to be a very clever bit of engineering.
You see, you’re probably reading this through either your computer screen or mobile phone. Firstly, thanks. Secondly, modern family cars are now full of screens that glare at you, and after a full day of looking at them, you just want them to disappear. Fortunately, in the A3, it can.
I’ve found this to be fantastic on longer trips because it eases the stress on your eyes, and it makes the minimalist dash design even cleaner and, well, more minimal (an oxymoron, but I’m sticking with it).
Yes, I know we have Audi’s Virtual Cockpit in our Audi A3, but it can be set to look like normal dials, so you really don’t feel bombarded by tech. It’s just a shame that I won’t be enjoying such serenity for much longer, because the A3 goes back soon. I suspect there will be some drama as they wrench the keys from me...
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