Used 2011 Audi A3 Premium Plus S for sale 

The 2011 Audi A3 is a four-door hatchback offered in two trims: Premium and Premium Plus. Standard equipment on the Premium includes 17-inch wheels, fog lights, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio jack. The Bluetooth Value package adds an eight-way power driver seat (includes four-way lumbar adjustment), a multifunction steering wheel, and Bluetooth.

The Premium Plus comes standard with the Bluetooth Value package and adds different wheels, xenon headlights, LED running lights, steering wheel shift paddles (with automatic transmission), and aluminum interior trim. The Audi Navigation System Plus package adds a navigation system, a dash-mounted Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI), and the choice of either a six-CD changer or an iPod interface. The Convenience package adds automatic headlights, automatic wipers, rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a Bose premium sound system.

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There aren't many luxury cars left that can be had for about $30,000, let alone hatchback models. So the base trim is priced justifiably, taking into account all the features it provides, the Premium trim is a good buy. Since both the trims are powered by the same engine, it would be wise to stick with the base trim.

You have a choice of two different engines in the 2011 Audi A3. They're both 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, and turbocharged, but one burns gasoline and the other diesel. The 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection inline-four remains the base engine, while a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter clean-diesel four-cylinder engine was introduced last year, in the A3 2.0 TDI model. TDI models are offered only with the S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, which shifts very quickly and decisively. Gasoline models get either that or a six-speed manual transmission. 

Performance is remarkably close between the two engines. Between the two, the TDI engine is narrowly the favorite of our editors, because it cranks out heaps of torque, giving it the response of a torquey big-displacement V-6 off the line or in top gear, while in either model, the S tronic gearbox doesn't make the sacrifices that automatics normally do. One thing worth pointing out is that Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which is usually offered in most of Audi's cars, isn't offered with TDI versions or on versions with the manual gearbox. 

The 2011 Audi A3 is a sporty hatchback, but Audi certainly hasn't forgotten how shoppers for this type of vehicle value fuel economy more than just the dent it might put in their budget. With either engine, fuel economy is better than average, but it's downright excellent with the TDI. Standard 2.0T turbocharged gasoline versions of the A3 also get pretty impressive mileage, with figures of 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with the manual and 21/28/24 with S tronic regardless of front- or all-wheel drive. Now looking at the figures in the above table, the most fuel-efficient would be the Volkswagen GTI with a combined mpg of 25, which is just over the figures recorded by Audi. 

As with the other cars in the Audi lineup, the 2011 A3's cabin is understated in design, with high-quality materials and craftsmanship throughout. There are a few more hard plastic pieces than you might expect, but they are well-textured to blend in seamlessly. Metallic vent surrounds and knobs further add to the A3's upscale look and feel, as does most of the switchgear. Also, the driver seat may not have enough travel for shorter folks, while the rear seat is cramped for taller ones.

Luggage space is ample for large suitcases and golf bags, with a rear-seats-up capacity of almost 20 cubic feet. The 60/40-split rear seats fold down (but not flat) and expand the space to 39 cubes for bulkier cargo. There's also a center armrest pass-through that can accommodate longer items while still carrying passengers back there. Some interior features are listed below for your reference:

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated Front Seats
• Adjustable steering wheel column
• Optional Heated steering wheel
• Ambient interior lighting
• Steering Wheel Controls

2011 Audi A3 Wagon Infotainment System

The optional navigation system brings with it Audi's MMI electronics controller, which in the A3 is located on the dash rather than in its traditional easier-to-reach location on the center console. You'll want to just touch the screen to control it, but you'll have to use the knob and its surrounding buttons instead. Several tech features that are increasingly included on much more affordable cars, like a Bluetooth hands-free interface, remain optional on the A3. Bluetooth is offered as part of a $600 Bluetooth Value Package on the base A3, though it's included in Premium Plus models.

Few key features include-

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• MP3 Player
• Satellite Radio
• Premium Sound System
• Wireless Cell Phone Hookup (Optional)

The A3 is sort of a hatchback and sort of a wagon, but its proportions are almost universally appealing, nearly everyone seems to like the look of the A3 design, which is at once inoffensive yet fancier than other hatch designs on the market. Last year, the Audi A3 got a somewhat sportier, more aggressive look. The elements of the former S-line package were made standard; the roof spoiler, reskinned bumpers, and brushed aluminum trim that were part of that upgrade give the A3 a more upscale look, overall.

When it comes to the wheelbase, Audi and Volkswagen share identical figures in a measurement. Being that said, the other features like length and height or width are not so different either. But the GTI is lighter than the Audi A3 and also the BMW 1 Series. This can be an added advantage in drag times and also precision when it comes to the handling for the Volkswagen GTI. Major exterior highlights are-

• Aluminum wheels
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Fog Lamps 
• Auto-Off Headlights
• Reverse camera
• Sunroof/moonroof 

The 2011 Audi A3 comes with all the safety features you'd expect to see in this class, along with a few more: stability control, anti-lock brakes, front-seat side-impact, full-length head-curtain airbags, and rear side-thorax bags, unusual in this class of vehicle - are available. Additionally, it has some safety-ratings bragging rights. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given it top 'good' ratings in all of its categories, including the new roof strength test, and named it a 2011 Top Safety Pick. The A3 hasn't been rated by the federal government, though. Some important safety features are listed below for your reference: 

• Brake Assist
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control
• Rollover Protection System
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Fully equipped airbags

The 2011 Audi A3 has a lot to offer: a TDI diesel trim with impressive fuel economy, outstanding safety ratings, fun driving dynamics, and a well-crafted interior. However, the A3 stumbles with a small back seat. All in all, the wagon from Audi remains a serious contender with impressive interior and driving performance in the segment. If saving money on the fuel is your top priority, go with the TDI variant.