A3 Sportsback or A3 Saloon ?!

A3 Sportsback or A3 Saloon ??

  • Total voters
    38
S

ST09

Registered User
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
341
Reaction score
21
Points
18
Location
U.K
Hi,

I hope you all are well. I am thinking of trading my Mercedes Benz C Class for An Audi A3 as we are expecting our first baby end of this year. But I cant decide between Sportsback and Saloon as they both look extremely nice. A moderate 150bhp Sportsback or Saloon will be perfect for us as a family car.Always loved my A3s in the past but shame had to move away from Audis due to the experience I had with my previous dealership.
Ive seen few pics posted on here of both Sportsback and Saloon version and would like to ask for your opinion to help me make the decision.

Thanks
Sal
 
Check out the boot of a saloon and see if you can easily fit a buggy in there i guess! Actually, as they fold up it's probably more practical to get the saloon if you've a new family, with the longer flatter loadspace.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
I faced the same, tricky, decision. The entrance to the saloon is very narrow - I think around 40cm at the narrowest, which was a bit of a concern. If you can clear that however, the boot is large.

The other limitation for me was headroom in the back, but that was a specific concern as I frequently give lifts to adults, and the saloon was just too cramped, but for children it'd be fine.

Driving wise they feel quite different too - the sportback is more wafty, while the saloon is a bit more solid.

I preferred the drive and looks of the saloon, but ended up with the sportback for practicality.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
If you are coming from the previous shape C-Class, I think you would probably feel both the A3 Sportback and Saloon are a little tighter on space inside, (but both great cars in many other respects).

As an alternative, have you looked at the new C -Class?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Sportback for me. I got a Sportback as I will be starting a family during the course of ownership. It just makes things easier getting things in and out.

If I was simply going on looks it'd be a Saloon but I still love the way by Sportback looks
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
To correct your initial post. SB is just nice, it's the saloon that is EXTREMELY nice!!
We visit an elderly aunt and I can get her wheeled zimmer thingy in the boot OK. But of course it's not a case of just throw it in like it would be for the SB.
The other posters are correct, the boot is large, but the opening is of necessity a bit tight.
We were going for the SB initially, as we have almost always had hatches or estates. But when we saw the saloon we just had to have it. But it's true, it is a slight compromise.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
sunscreemer said:
Check out the boot of a saloon and see if you can easily fit a buggy in there i guess! Actually, as they fold up it's probably more practical to get the saloon if you've a new family, with the longer flatter loadspace.
Click to expand...

Hi Sunscreemer

Thanks for your reply. Got test drive booked for Saloon on bank holiday weekend. Will give it a thorough test whilst there :)

Sal

kalniel said:
I faced the same, tricky, decision. The entrance to the saloon is very narrow - I think around 40cm at the narrowest, which was a bit of a concern. If you can clear that however, the boot is large.

The other limitation for me was headroom in the back, but that was a specific concern as I frequently give lifts to adults, and the saloon was just too cramped, but for children it'd be fine.

Driving wise they feel quite different too - the sportback is more wafty, while the saloon is a bit more solid.

I preferred the drive and looks of the saloon, but ended up with the sportback for practicality.
Click to expand...

Hi Kalniel,

Thanks for your reply. My other half will be using the car most of the time and if the entrance to the boot is narrow as pointed out i fear she will end up scuffing the bumper and the trims. I dare say that to her but will indirectly mention that to her on our way to the dealership.

Sal

M_D_O_London said:
If you are coming from the previous shape C-Class, I think you would probably feel both the A3 Sportback and Saloon are a little tighter on space inside, (but both great cars in many other respects).

As an alternative, have you looked at the new C -Class?
Click to expand...

Hi MDO,

Thanks for your reply. Yes we did explore the option of getting the new C - Class but in my opinion they are over priced. You can spec an A3 with loads of extras for the amount of money Mercedes is asking for an entry level model. Idea is to put that extra money into our savings account as one of us will be out of work for over a year.

Sal
 
Saloon, you can get a protective film for the bumper, not sure what it looks like thou.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Saloon, never had a problem with adults over 6' in the rear, I've never found the boot too narrow and I cannot see how the bumper will get scraped, unless the opening is missed completely. As the saloon is better looking than the c-class anyway its a no brainer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09 and Madmo
audi upgrades
Sportback with roof rails!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Sportback , more practical and imo looks nicer ,
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Saloon. Best looking car in the market place today IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09, Psyman79 and Madmo
For looks, I'd be happy with either - although maybe the saloon just edges it. However, for practical reasons I have to have the sportback and I really love mine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Saloon. No contest. Sports back is hideous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Defo saloon for me. Can't quite understand the practicality argument but then my washing machine stays at home when i'm out :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Only reason I chose the Sportback over the Saloon is I can't get my music gear in the Saloon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Morning All,

Thank you all for your replies. My other half is swaying towards A3 Saloon as she never liked Sportsback in the past but im still unsure. I like the look of Sportback with roof rails but every time i see a Saloon on the road i end up changing my mind. If it was purely about practicality, in my opinion Q3 is the best mid range family car out there. I think once we have test driven the cars it will help make decision a lot easier. Ive also emailed dealer to request if we can use one of their child seat on the day.

Sal
 
I had the Q3, pre-facelift, as a loaner before my saloon and certainly never reached your opinion and my Mk3 Focus could have run circles around it as far as handling and performance was concerned and I didn't think the rear loading space, with the seats and the parcel shelf in place, was very good at all.. If it is crossovers you really want then there are much better ones, and far cheaper, out there than the ugly Q3.

The A3 saloon is also unique in the A3 range as it doesn't share any body panels from the rest of the range and on it's standard sports suspension it also sits lower then the rest. There are less of them on the road as well, but, hey, I'm biased...
 
cuke2u said:
I had the Q3, pre-facelift, as a loaner before my saloon and certainly never reached your opinion and my Mk3 Focus could have run circles around it as far as handling and performance was concerned and I didn't think the rear loading space, with the seats and the parcel shelf in place, was very good at all.. If it is crossovers you really want then there are much better ones, and far cheaper, out there than the ugly Q3...
Click to expand...

Hi Cuke2u,

Thanks for your reply. I totally agree with you that Q3 is a hideous looking car but few of our family members use it for their family trips / school runs and really appreciate it :) but personally not my cup of tea. I was only using it as an example but i guess it back fired. Looks and quality matters to me hence Ive always bought decent German cars in the past and present. Ive not had a first hand experience at being a family man hence i asked for your and other member's opinion that which car will be better suited to our needs. Our mind is set that A3 is what we want as our second car but which model not sure lol.

Sal
 
I've got a double buggy and it won't fit in the sportback but does in the saloon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST09
Andrew_Bu said:
I've got a double buggy and it won't fit in the sportback but does in the saloon.
Click to expand...

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your reply. If you do not mind me asking how economical is 1.4 TFSI ?? Really like your car in misano red.

Thanks
Sal
 
Andrew_Bu said:
I've got a double buggy and it won't fit in the sportback but does in the saloon.
Click to expand...

Unless you need to carry something too high to fit in the boot of sedan, then that would be my choice - they are very nice looking sedan. I actually preferred my SB without the rails, they reminded me too much of all the SUVs around here.
 
Friends of mine had an A3 sportback for all of 3 months. They had 2 kids (2&4 years old) at the time and was too small for them. They ended up getting a Mondeo as it is mahoosive!!

But sticking to German I would personally go for the saloon, much nicer and if you are concerned about scuffs to the boot/bumper area then that's the least of your worries with letting the wife drive it.. ooouch below the belt I am sorry... lol couldn't resist..

But if you find A3 too small in both variants I am sure Bristle Hound will pass on his lorry load of Audi brochures. Sure you will find something there... :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Psyman79
I was debating to - I went for the SB in the end.

Many of my family members and friends are 6ft+ so putting them in the saloon would've been a little cramped. Plus I'm expecting to have my first kid in the next few years so as an all-rounder it made sense.

However I prefer the looks of the Saloon as it looks a bit classier than the SB.
 
ST09 said:
Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your reply. If you do not mind me asking how economical is 1.4 TFSI ?? Really like your car in misano red.

Thanks
Sal
Click to expand...

Sadly not as economical as hoped. Had a COD for 9 months and averaged 37.9mpg. Was hoping for 45 when i bought it.

Stopped worrying about all that now though :)
 
I am averaging 40.4, according to the computer which I find fairly accurate, around town. I've seen more on a run..
 
ST09 said:
Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your reply. If you do not mind me asking how economical is 1.4 TFSI ?? Really like your car in misano red.

Thanks
Sal
Click to expand...

Don't mind at all! I've done about 2,700 miles and the average to date is 40mpg. On a run I achieve around 45. I've got the s-tronic gearbox and drive permanently in efficiency mode.

In terms of size, the boot works for me. The only issue is the fact that I'm over 6ft tall and my two sons are still in safety seats on isofix bases which means that I have to have my seat further forward than I would ideally like. I knew that this was a short-term issue though and had my heart set on the A3 saloon.

The colour is great, really stands out in a sea of greys, blacks and whites.
 
I will probably get hammered for this but, if I was looking to change cars now, I would seriously consider the new Skoda Superb which is going to have the TFSI engine as an option. CO2 is slightly higher but the extra size would work better as a family driver.
 
I have already posted up pictures of the 2015 Superb as the rear end looks distinctly similar to the A3 saloon. Trouble is Skoda's aren't as cheap as they used to be...
 
But probably not as much as the £29.5k list price for mine?!
 
But the Superb is huge in comparison to an A3. The Octavia would seem a better bet to me, same platform and engines, but more interior space and an enormous boot.
 
r6ymy said:
But the Superb is huge in comparison to an A3. The Octavia would seem a better bet to me, same platform and engines, but more interior space and an enormous boot.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen the specs but presumably the Superb comes with much more kit as standard?
 
I need a Sportback as I have to use a mobility scooter a lot of the time and there is no way I could get it into the boot of a Saloon, which is my practical reason. I also do prefer the look of the Sportback. The saloon is just another Saloon. I did follow one yesterday and initially thought it was an A4.

Perhaps when the new A4 comes out I may look at the A4 Avant for practicality although I do prefer something the size of the A3 to the A4. I did look at the Skoda Octavia Estate before I bought my current A3 but the quality of it's interior is not as good as an Audi. I also looked at the Golf Estate but VW did not offer the 150 engine at the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: glospete
Andrew_Bu said:
I haven't seen the specs but presumably the Superb comes with much more kit as standard?
Click to expand...
I just priced up the present model and in se guise with the 1.8 tsi engine with as closer specs I could get to my car, no bodykit, it came to £27,245. Floor mats aren't even standard and quality will not be as good but its alot of car. However if I was looking it would the a ford badge I'd be looking at more equipment but cheaper...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Jim909
A3 sline sportsback
Replies
7
Views
1K
roundcubeten
R
paul8852
Dilemma A3 Sportsback 1.4TFSI or 1.8TFSI Manual
Replies
28
Views
13K
paul8852
paul8852
dolo
A3/S3 Saloon Myth or Not
Replies
6
Views
1K
cuke2u
cuke2u
T
184 tdi or 150 A3 Saloon
Replies
15
Views
5K
jdp1962
jdp1962
D
New A3 Sportsback finally ordered :)
Replies
18
Views
1K
deolanp
D
Top
Back