MotorMouths

We came into this review hoping to be blown away by the Audi A3 TDI, but that just didn’t happen. Although it offers good utility and is fun to drive, we were expecting a lot more luxury. And it’s not like Audi discounts the A3 TDI to make up for its shortfalls.

One of the great features of the U.S. car market is that it that there is room for idiosyncratic cars like the Audi A3 TDI. Too bad that its appeal will be limited to those willing to pay a high premium for the ability to limit their fill-ups.

There’s no doubt that the A3 TDI stacks up as a premium compact wagon. But there’s a big question, in our minds at least, as to whether this or any other premium compact stacks up high enough to justify the price.

With diesel now roughly back at parity in price with gasoline, the Audi A3 TDI will soon offer a premium compact with good handling and excellent fuel economy.

If you can find an A3 with no noises, don’t need the latest-greatest interior and perhaps actually like the MMI control system, you are dead meat. You will find it pretty close to impossible to leave the Audi store without buying one.

The Audi A3 TDI is low on firepower compared to the 2.0-litre turbo gas version. From here on, the rest of the car is pure A3. That means a dynamic drive, with a nicely-balanced chassis, very precise speed-sensitive steering and a high fun-to-drive quotient.

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI is incredibly cute, fun to drive and gets great mileage, but it’s a squeeze for my family of four in a way that makes road trips seem forbidding.

The A3 TDI is a compromise, then, but a good one. The price remains within reach of those early in their careers and the car offers stellar fuel economy for commuting, but at the same time you get a sexy-looking, reasonably sporty hatch instead of a penalty box.

Fuel-thrifty, smaller cars aren’t always plain, utilitarian and boring. Audi’s entry-level car, the A3, proves it. I couldn’t believe the fuel mileage display as I tested the A3. I was not driving at all for fuel economy. Yet, the car registered just over 36 mpg.

The Audi A3 TDI is sporty, attractive and comfortable. Throw in decidedly decent road manners and you have a very compelling set of wheels. Nothing, however, proved to be quite as appealing as the diesel engine. It delivers power without penalty.

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI diesel uses today’s technology to create an exciting driver’s car. The bad news is that the luxury hatchback’s power and efficiency come at a stiff price.

Honestly, this Audi A3 TDI is fun to drive. Something interesting to note is that none of my friends have any idea that it is a diesel. No one on the street can smell or hear anything different. But is the difference in price worth it?