This is the 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. Yeah, it's an A3, so it's among the smallest cars Audi sells in America outside the two-seat TT sports car. But this is the only A3 that arrives in the United States as a hatchback.
All A3s are built atop the Volkswagen Group's MQB architecture and all have a sporting character no matter what their drivetrain. And in the e-tron, that's a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor feeding a six-speed automatic transmission. In all, there's 204 horsepower available to drive the front wheels. Audi's all-wheel-drive Quattro system isn't available.
The e-tron's battery pack is, however, not that large. So in electric-only mode it will only travel about 16 miles before calling on the internal combustion engine to pull the load. And that modest range affects the e-tron's fuel economy numbers, too. The EPA rates the 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron at 35 mpg combined (33 city/37 highway). If ultimate fuel economy is the goal, there are more miserly choices available from other manufacturers.
But there is a compensating virtue for the so-so economy numbers. And that's that the A3 Sportback e-tron is pretty quick. Audi estimates it slugging to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. It may even be quicker than that.
Audi offers the e-tron in three different trim levels. The least expensive is the "Premium." One step up from that is the "Premium Plus" which includes everything in the Premium along with a handful of additional features. Then at the top is the "Prestige," which not only packs on the luxury, but is so prestigious it might get you a better parking spot at a nice restaurant.
Audi's outstanding Multimedia Interface (MMI) is available on the e-tron with brilliant navigation graphics and an integrated WiFi hotspot. New for 2017 is the availability of Audi's "Virtual Cockpit" all-digital instrumentation and a newly revised nose with new headlights and a modified grille. Plus there are new taillights for all those taillight enthusiasts out there.
Like every other market segment, the plug-in hybrid crowd is getting thicker by the year. It can be confusing making sense of all the manufacturers' performance claims and technical distinctions. That's why you should make use of every tool here on Edmunds to find the right plug-in and get it at a keen price.
2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron Overview
The 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is offered in the following submodels: Hatchback. Available styles include 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6AM), 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6AM), and 1.4 TFSI PHEV Prestige 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6AM). A3 Sportback e-tron models are available with a 0-liter hybrid engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed automated manual. The 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 4 yr./ unlimited mi. roadside warranty, and a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. powertrain warranty.
Is the 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
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What do people think of the 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron a 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron.
Review This car is awesome in ev mode. Very quiet with excellent acceleration. It's even better in sport mode using the gas and electric engines. In hybrid mode, anytime you lift off the gas the engine shuts down, the car coasts effortlessly . There is a little engine noise on the highway but not too bad. Engine restart is quiet and vibration free. Sport seats are very comfortable with four way lumbar adjustments. Once you figure out the menus, bt connection with streaming works flawlessly. I only wish that there was more than about 23 miles in ev mode.
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