2006 Audi A3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review
The Audi A3 combines European driving refinement with a host of standard features and a practical hatchback layout.
The luxury market is getting smaller. No, the actual sales volume is not decreasing; rather, entry-level vehicles in the segment are becoming physically smaller in size. This allows luxury automakers to target new shoppers who would previously have waited until they entered the next tax bracket to walk into a showroom.
A prime example of this new subcompact luxury segment is the 2006 Audi A3. Previously exclusive to Europe, the A3 joins Audi’s North American lineup, providing a high-quality interior and refined, athletic driving characteristics but with the practicality of a compact hatchback layout. The A3 shares a platform with the Volkswagen Golf hatchback and seats five passengers.
Despite its Volkswagen connection, the A3 boasts an appearance that's all Audi. The front end is defined by chiseled headlights and a large, squared-off grille that extends all the way down to the lower front spoiler. Unlike the Golf, the A3 has a more complete greenhouse, with rear-quarter windows behind the rear side doors. Out back, the A3 finishes with a raked rear window and below that, the body bulges out slightly, finished with taillights similar to that of the A4 sedan.
The A3 features a modern, focused cabin that bridges style and functionality. The climate control vents protrude slightly from the dash, providing a sporty look. The ring of brightwork around each vent is echoed in the climate control dials within the centre stack, bringing balance to the dash. Despite its visual appeal, the cabin of the A3 uses a lot of hard plastics and falls short of delivering the refinement one would expect from an Audi.
The A3 has a long list of standard features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, remote keyless entry, and one-touch power windows all around. Leather seats, fog lights, and driver’s-seat lumbar support are all available. Perhaps the best options in the A3 are the Open Sky dual sunroofs. The front panel opens, and both panels have integrated sunshades.
There are two tiers of the A3: the 2.0T and the 3.2 S Line. As the name suggests, the former is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower. This engine routes power to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG) twin-clutch automatic with a tap-shift manual mode and steering-wheel-mounted paddles. While the manual is the de facto choice for driving enthusiasts, the tap-shift DSG is every bit as rewarding.
Once again, the name gives away what the 3.2 powertrain is all about. Namely, a V6 engine with a displacement of 3.2 litres. This engine makes power specs of 250 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque, sent through the six-speed automatic transmission to Audi's quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). Quattro provides added traction in rough road conditions and added grip in cornering.
Whether equipped with quattro or with the front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain, the A3’s time in Europe is evident by its nimble, refined driving dynamics. Steering response is tight, and it is a fun car on winding roads.
The A3 has a very practical cabin layout, with easy-to-use dials and controls. The centre stack flows into the shifter area, providing helpful barriers for the centre stack tray, which could prevent a cell phone or keys from flying in a hard turn.
The A3 has 371 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. That’s barely as much as some compact sedans have for trunk space, but the A3 has the benefit of its five-door hatchback layout, and dropping the 60/40 split-fold rear seat brings cargo space up to 1,543 litres, which is impressive. The rear seat also has a centre pass-through that allows you to store longer items like skis while still making the back seat available for use.
The A3 comes standard with an AM/FM radio with 10 speakers and a CD player. An optional sound system adds a Bose stereo and a six-disc in-dash CD changer. Buyers can further upgrade the A3 with an optional navigation system or Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.
There is also an optional Sport Package for the A3 in Canada, as well as a Premium Package with rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, an advanced trip computer, and HomeLink integrated garage door opener. Xenon headlamps are also available.
Fuel economy with the 2.0T and six-speed DSG is 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.9 on the highway. Opting for the six-speed manual raises those numbers to 10.0 L/100 km city, 6.9 highway. The V6 Quattro model returns 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.4 highway.
Base MSRP for the 2006 Audi A3 as a new car in Canada is $32,950 for the 2.0T with manual transmission. Adding the DSG brings the price of the 2.0T to $34,600. The 3.2 A3 S-Line starts at $44,990. This is more than your typical hatchback, but the A3 is anything but. As of 2006, competitors such as BMW and Volvo don’t offer subcompact cars in Canada. In fact, the closest comparable vehicle to the A3 is the Mini Cooper, which costs between $23,400 and $30,500 and does not have the cabin space of the A3.
Note: Images show a US model.
