Audi A3 Sportback (2004 – 2012) Review
Audi A3 Sportback (2004 – 2012) At A Glance
Quality feel from behind the wheel. More practical and spacious than standard A3. Impressive choice of engines including excellent TFSI turbocharged petrols.
Standard equipment on entry-level models not generous. Most engines belt cam. Oil pump problems with 2.0 diesel.
The Audi A3 Sportback of 2004 is a 5-door version of the A3 hatchback that ran from 2008 to 2012.
The obvious benefit is the extra practicality of two more doors that enables elderly people to enter and leave the rear of the car and, of course, turns settling an infant in a child seat from a back-straining exersise to a simple, easy, straigntforward and safe job.
Reviews for Audi A3 Sportback (2004 – 2012)'s top 3 rivals
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Audi A3 Sportback (2004 – 2012) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4292 mm |
| Width | 1765 mm |
| Height | 1423 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2578 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1225–1465 kg |
| Boot Space | 302–1100 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | - |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £17,185–£27,280 |
| Insurance Groups | 14–29 |
| Road Tax Bands | B–I |
| Official MPG | 37.2–68.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | 3 |
| Pedestrian | 1 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until November 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 TFSI 5dr | £17,295 | 51.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| 1.2 TFSI S line 5dr | £20,770 | 51.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| 1.2 TFSI S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,250 | 53.3 mpg | 10.8 s |
| 1.2 TFSI S tronic 5dr Auto | £18,775 | 53.3 mpg | 10.8 s |
| 1.2 TFSI SE 5dr | £17,960 | 51.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| 1.2 TFSI SE S tronic 5dr Auto | £19,440 | 53.3 mpg | 10.8 s |
| 1.2 TFSI Sport 5dr | £19,185 | 51.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| 1.2 TFSI Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £20,665 | 53.3 mpg | 10.8 s |
| 1.4 TFSI 5dr | £18,850 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| 1.4 TFSI S line 5dr | £21,100 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| 1.4 TFSI S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,580 | 51.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| 1.4 TFSI S tronic 5dr Auto | £20,330 | 51.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| 1.4 TFSI SE 5dr | £19,515 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| 1.4 TFSI SE S tronic 5dr Auto | £20,995 | 51.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| 1.4 TFSI Sport 5dr | £19,515 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £20,995 | 51.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| 1.6 5dr | £17,185 | 40.4 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.6 TDI 5dr | £19,450 | 68.9 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 TDI S line 5dr | £21,700 | 68.9 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 TDI S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £23,180 | 65.7 mpg | 11.8 s |
| 1.6 TDI S tronic 5dr Auto | £20,930 | 65.7 mpg | 11.8 s |
| 1.6 TDI SE 5dr | £20,115 | 68.9 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 TDI SE S tronic 5dr Auto | £21,595 | 65.7 mpg | 11.8 s |
| 1.6 TDI Sport 5dr | £20,115 | 68.9 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 TDI Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £21,595 | 65.7 mpg | 11.8 s |
| 1.6 Technik 5dr | £17,485 | 40.4 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.8 TFSI 5dr | £20,630 | 42.8 mpg | 7.8 s |
| 1.8 TFSI S line 5dr | £22,880 | 42.8 mpg | 7.8 s |
| 1.8 TFSI S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £24,360 | 43.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 1.8 TFSI S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,110 | 43.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 1.8 TFSI SE 5dr | £21,295 | 42.8 mpg | 7.8 s |
| 1.8 TFSI SE S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,775 | 43.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 1.8 TFSI Sport 5dr | £21,295 | 42.8 mpg | 7.8 s |
| 1.8 TFSI Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,775 | 43.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 2.0 TDI (140ps) 5dr | £20,800 | 64.2 mpg | 9.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI (140ps) S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,280 | 57.6 mpg | 8.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI 5dr | £21,750 | 60.1 mpg | 8.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI quattro 5dr | £23,300 | 54.3 mpg | 7.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI quattro S line 5dr | £25,550 | 54.3 mpg | 7.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI quattro SE 5dr | £23,965 | 54.3 mpg | 7.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI quattro Sport 5dr | £23,965 | 54.3 mpg | 7.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI S line (140ps) 5dr | £23,050 | 64.2 mpg | 9.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI S line (140ps) S tronic 5dr Auto | £24,530 | 57.6 mpg | 8.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI S line 5dr | £24,000 | 60.1 mpg | 8.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £25,480 | 56.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 2.0 TDI S tronic 5dr Auto | £23,230 | 56.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 2.0 TDI SE (140ps) 5dr | £21,465 | 64.2 mpg | 9.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI SE (140ps) S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,945 | 57.6 mpg | 8.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI SE 5dr | £22,415 | 60.1 mpg | 8.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI SE S tronic 5dr Auto | £23,895 | 56.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 2.0 TDI Sport (140ps) 5dr | £21,465 | 64.2 mpg | 9.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI Sport (140ps) S tronic 5dr Auto | £22,945 | 57.6 mpg | 8.9 s |
| 2.0 TDI Sport 5dr | £22,415 | 60.1 mpg | 8.1 s |
| 2.0 TDI Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £23,895 | 56.5 mpg | 7.7 s |
| 2.0 TFSI 5dr | £22,070 | 39.2 mpg | 7.1 s |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £27,280 | 37.2 mpg | 6.7 s |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £25,695 | 37.2 mpg | 6.7 s |
| 2.0 TFSI S line 5dr | £24,320 | 39.2 mpg | 7.1 s |
| 2.0 TFSI S line S tronic 5dr Auto | £25,800 | 39.2 mpg | 6.9 s |
| 2.0 TFSI SE 5dr | £22,735 | 39.2 mpg | 7.1 s |
| 2.0 TFSI Sport 5dr | £22,735 | 39.2 mpg | 7.1 s |
| 2.0 TFSI Sport S tronic 5dr Auto | £24,215 | 39.2 mpg | 6.9 s |
On sale until January 2011
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 S tronic 5dr Auto | £18,460 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.6 Technik S tronic 5dr Auto | £18,760 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
On sale until June 2010
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 S line 5dr | £20,035 | 40.9 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.6 S line 5dr Auto | £20,035 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.6 SE 5dr | £17,285 | 40.9 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.6 SE 5dr Auto | £17,285 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.6 Sport 5dr | £18,485 | 40.9 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.6 Sport 5dr Auto | £18,485 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.6 Technik SE 5dr | £17,285 | 40.9 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.6 Technik SE 5dr Auto | £17,285 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
Model History
September 2004
Very attractive five door version of A3 with same engine and transmission line-up. 4,203mm long x 1,765mm wide. In UK from September 2004. New engines include a 200PS turbocharged 2.0FSI DSG that does 0-60 in 6.8 seconds and 146mph. 5 and 6 speed manual transmissions. 6-speed DSG or Tiptronic autoboxes. 3 Euro trim levels: Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente. Luggage compartment 20 litres bigger than 3-dr, giving 1,120 litres with back seat folded. Has an underfloor spare wheel, not Tyrefit. £500 more than A3 3-doors.
May 2006
New 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI engine with piezo injection technology and Diesel Particulate Filter offered in addition to existing 140PS. Available with quattro and front-drive and with either standard six-speed manual transmission or optional S-tronic twin clutch automatic (formerly called DSG).
2.0 TDI PD 170PS @ 4,200rpm, 320Nm from 1,750rpm to 2,500rpm
A3 2.0 TDI: 0-62mph in 8.2 secs (2.0 TDI quattro 7.8 secs), top speed 138mph (2.0 TDI quattro 136mph), combined mpg 48.7 (2.0 TDI quattro 44.1), C02 output 157g/km (2.0 TDI quattro 173g/km)
August 2006
New 1.4 TFSI replaces 1.6FSI on standard, SE and S line trim priced from £16,865 OTR. First deliveries in October. 125PS @ 5,000rpm (v/s 1.6 FSI 115PS @ 5,800rpm), 200Nm @ 1,500rpm (v/x 1.6 FSI 155Nm @ 4,000rpm). 0-60mph in 9.3 secs, top speed 126mph, combined mpg 43.5, CO2 154g/km (v/s A3 1.6 FSI 10.9 secs, 122mph, 42.8mpg, 158g/km)
December 2006
New four-cylinder 1.8-litre Turbo FSI petrol engine with 160PS @ 5,000 - 6,200rpm and 250Nm @ 1,500 - 4,200rpm for A3 models. Available with manual and S tronic transmissions. A3 1.8 TFSI priced from £18,100 OTR, 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds, top speed 136mph, combined MPG 38.6, C02 174g/km.
August 2009
Audi A3 and A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI. Designed from scratch, the new 1.2 4-cylinder TFSI generates 105PS from a displacement of 1,197 cm3. And as is typical of Audi, turbocharging and direct petrol injection once again work in harmony to maximise efficiency. Thanks to an aluminium crankcase, this engine weighs just 89.5 kilograms; this remarkably low weight also boosts its efficiency.
The 1.2 TFSI has been optimized to minimize friction. Single camshaft operating eight valves. A common-rail system injects the fuel. An electric control valve operates the turbocharger's wastegate valve; boost pressure builds up spontaneously and scavenging losses drop. 175 Nm (129.07 lb.-ft.) of torque between just 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. It propels the Sportback 1.2 TFSI from 0 to 62mph in 11.3 seconds, top speed of 118mph and can return up to 51.3mpg (combined cycle), while emitting just 127 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The new engine will initially be paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.
November 2009
A3 2.0 TDI Sportback gains start-stop and recuperating alternator of 1.4 TFSI and 1.6 TDI models. A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI with start-stop - 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds, top speed 130mph, combined mpg 64.2 (previously 55.4mpg), CO2 115g/km (previously 134g/km). 1.6 TDIs have outputs of as little as 109g/km.
May 2012
Audi revised its recommendation for timing belt replacement on the 200PS 2.0 TSI engine to be 75,000 miles or 5 years whichever comes soonest.
What to watch out for
Fresh spate of ignition coil failures on 2005 build 2.0 FSIs.
Radiator leaks a common problem after 18 months. Can lead to head gasket failure and failure of head itself. If buying used, check expansion tank.
Dual mass flywheel and clutch problems possible after around 40k miles. If still under 3 year warranty Audi will replace FOC, as is a known problem.
Report of fault glass on late 2008 production. Front windscreen, front side windows and back window all replaced. When driving into the sun millions of tiny bubbles reflecting (and reducing vision) in the windscreen - seems they were between the laminates. Replaced by the dealer with no quibble.
A problem of 2.0TDI PD 140s and 170s is failure of the oil pump. The oil pump is driven from a balancre shaft via a short hexagonal shaft. The peaks of this hexagonal shaft locate in six corresponding but minute grooves machined within the otherwise circular-bored oil pump drive shaft. Thus, the oil pump drive relies entirely on an interference fit of little more than 0.010" along the peaks of the hexagonal shaft. After about 50,000 miles, the shaft can round off, resulting in a totally destroyed engine and turbo, plus a bill of up to £9,000. If the danger is known and the oil pump is removed by the garage in good time, a new replacement pump will cost over £500, plus the labour etc to remove and refit it. However, it is also possible to save the old pump and modify the drive at a fraction of the cost of a new one. Many local machine shop already have numbers of these pumps in for such rectification, the drive shaft of each having been on the point of rounding off.
22-01-2011:If ESP/ABS amber warning light comes on intermittently and will not re-set, you might not actually have the ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP problem. First check circuits and start at the ABS fuse and holder (no 9 on a Golf, on scuttle edge by driver door). Pull it out, have a look and if okay replace it. The warning light may then go out. Sometimes they slip out a bit and become wobbly, which is enough to set off the warning.
11-08-2012:Report of same problem of DPF becoming clogged after recall replacement of piezeo electric injectors on a 55k mile 2.0 TDi 170 Sportback.
05-10-2016:Clicking noise reported from front suspension of 24k mile 2011 Audi A3 Sportback 1.2TSI, still under warranty. Found to be failed strut top bearing that was replaced under warranty. 10k miles and 18 months later, same strut tyop bearing failed again.
