New Audi A3 vs BMW 1 Series vs Volvo V40

Audi appears to launch a new model every week, but this is the car that really matters to the company: the A3.

Over the past 16 years, sales of this model have made up a fifth of Audi’s total revenue – laying the financial foundation for adventurous low-volume cars as diverse as the R8 and A7.

So what does the third-generation A3 have in store? It’s the first car to use the VW Group’s all-new modular MQB chassis, which will underpin everything from the next TT to the MkVII Golf. It also gets a modern interior, with the latest tech.

For now, the A3 is available only as a three-door, so to bridge the price gap to its five-door rivals, we test it here with the 2.0-litre TDI engine in entry-level SE spec.



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94geo - 10/4/2012 9:03:15 AM

+2 Boost

1. BMW 1
2. Audi A3
3. Volvo V40

GermanNut - 10/4/2012 10:27:52 AM

-4 Boost

The 1-series is not the clear winner over the Audi A3 as this article would have people believe.

There have been other comparison tests between the A3 and the 1-series where the A3 is the winner. I'll post those in a bit.

M5twinturbo - 10/4/2012 10:53:11 AM

+3 Boost

Lol, why didnt you post this article Gnut? Oh, so this is not a valid win, but the ones you post are? You really are a nut.

"Yet despite a new chassis, the handling hasn’t moved on from the old car – the firm ride and numb steering make it capable rather than fun."

The A3 was numb, and stiff. The 1 series was more fun, effiecient.

M5twinturbo - 10/4/2012 3:48:37 PM

+1 Boost

Cheap is refering to running costs..and why would practical be a bad thing?

85bmw745i - 10/4/2012 1:13:14 PM

+1 Boost

The BMW would be my choice simply because it RWD. Only problem is it is so ugly in the front. It will certainly go down as one of the ugliest cars ever. I mean that front end rivals the Pontiac Aztek. Good Grief BMW how did that design ever get approved. If they plan on selling this in the states they better fix that front end, because it will NOT sell.

JRobUSC - 10/5/2012 11:27:05 AM

+1 Boost

Simple fix, get the M Sport package. Totally changes the looks.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/1-series/60610/bmw-m135i