Audi A3 e-tron (2014) Review
Audi A3 e-tron (2014) At A Glance
The Audi A3 e-tron of 2014 is Audi's first plug-in hybrid released to the UK market.
The Audi A3 sits at the top of the premium hatchback tree, owing largely to its very effective blend of perceived build quality, low running costs, useful practicality and gimmick-free styling.
The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron builds on this base to produce a car with all that, plus the sort of claimed fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures that were the stuff of Anita Roddick’s fantasies not too long ago. That concoction, thinks Audi, makes the e-tron a very edible cake in a very niche market: there were only around 5000 cars of this type sold in 2013.
‘Cars of this type’ are plug-in petrol-electric hybrids not self-charging hybrids like the Lexus CT200h. Their post plug-in electric range is usually between 20 and 30 miles, whereas the electric range of a self charging hybrid is usually less than a mile and only in very specific low speed circumstances. In theory, as long as he also kept the 12v battery charges as well as the hybrid battery, a low mileage used would, in theory, never tap into its fuel tank.
It’s the same setup found in the Volkswagen Golf GTE, though in that application it’s very much an aid to eco-conscious performance, whereas Audi sees the A3 e-tron as a refined and futuristic diesel-killer.
A look at the figures makes it clear why Audi feels that way - 37g/km CO2 and 176.6mpg claimed average fuel consumption. And it has 204PS channelled through a six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, so it can hit 62mph from nought in 7.6 seconds. That’s what Audi calls progress.
And because it’s an electric car, it qualifies for the government’s £5000 electric mobility grant – which is a good job, because the list price for this fancy hatchback is just shy of £35,000. You won’t pay annual VED for your digital tax disc, at least, so there’s a few bob saved.
Unlike the rest of the Audi A3 range, the e-tron is only available as a Sportback and with one trim level. As befits the price, however, it dishes up a lot of equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels, MMI HDD-based navigation with seven-inch touch screen, 10GB flash music storage, DAB radio, two-zone climate control, front sports seats, LED headlights, rear LED lights and plenty more.
Real MPG average for a Audi A3 e-tron (2014)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
73%
Real MPG
85–131 mpg
MPGs submitted
18
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
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