Good Grades: Nice power from the 2.0 Liter, four-cylinder TDI engine--it has good acceleration from the Turbo Diesel power plant--it's the first diesel-powered car I've had the opportunity to drive, and it was a pleasurable experience. The Audi A3 TDI's six-speed Automanual transmission shifts with precision. The interior materials are great, the seats are comfortable, and interior room is also useful and respectable. The ride is firm but nice, and the A3 TDI's overall driving experience does not disappoint. It feels very sporty and the braking is also good. This feels like a well-made automobile. It comes fully-loaded with useful safety features (a full complement of air bags all around, anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control), also.
By the way, it should be noted here that the photos for this review are of the 2012 S Line Wagon; photo opportunities of the TDI I tested were limited to a parking structure--not exactly ideal for good photos--so I had to resort to going to an Audi Dealer to get the shots I needed. However, the dealer was out of TDI's, and a salesman told me as they are such hot sellers, most are already spoken for by the time they arrive at the dealership. In fact, the A3 Wagon shown in this review was the only A3 Wagon they had in stock. The S Line model in the photos does not have the navigation system that I mention below.
Bad Grades: The instrument panel is nice, but I must say I don't care for small, distracting buttons on the radio and navigation system. I'm old school that way, and prefer the least amount of distraction from the road as possible. Plus, the price of admission isn't cheap: prices start at $30, 250 and it can go up from there with options.
Final Grade: There is a lot to like about the 2011 Audi A3 TDI Wagon--this isn't your dad's old-tech, diesel-powered car that was slow, made an annoying "knocking" sound and had smelly exhaust fumes. Diesel Technology has improved over the years, and the Audi A3 TDI Wagon proves it. Decrease the price on it by at least three to five grand, and you'd have a straight "A" grade for this car.
Consumer and Car Exam Final Grade: B+/A-
MSRP: $30, 250
By P. Scott
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Good Grades: Just about everything--this is one of the best bargain family sedans I've ever driven. The 2.4 liter, 204 hp four cylinder/hybrid combination works very well. It's the most powerful four cylinder car I've driven to date, and the engine is smooth and strong. I've read complaints that the drive train doesn't feel smooth, but during my brief test drive of the Sonata Hybrid, I found nothing bothersome about it. It feels like a V6, but it isn't. The six-speed automatic shifts smoothly, as well. The interior is excellent, with good ergonomics and controls. The ride also felt just fine to me. The interior materials are good quality as well, further demonstrating that Hyundai has come a very long way in quality and design the last several years.
Fuel economy is also excellent, boasting an impressive 35 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway--that's hard to beat in a family sedan. The styling is great and simply elegant, though I would argue it even looks better on the smaller 2012 Elantra (I've taken photos of both side by side for comparison). Visibility is also good from all angles. The 2011 Sonata Hybrid has a full array of safety features, from anti-lock brakes to a full complement of front and side curtain airbags. It also has a great warranty (a basic 5-year, 60,000 mile warranty and a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty on the drive train).
Bad Grades: Prices on the Sonata Hybrid can get very pricey for budget-minded people if they're not careful. The GLS would be a great alternative to the Hybrid, but your fuel economy would be 11 mpg less in the city, but still would be very good on the highway. However, its $25,795 base price (and even higher with options) may chase away budget-conscious buyers.
Final Grade: The Car Exam doesn't give a lot of "A" grades, but the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is more than worthy of it. Its styling makes the competition look dated, and other Sonata models have proven to be a reliable--something people couldn't say with a straight face about Hyundai in the past, especially about models from the 1980's and 1990's. Dealers are clearing out the 2011 models to make room for the 2012 Sonatas, so if you can find a 2011 Hybrid model at a deep discount, it may be worth a look.
The Car Exam Final Grade: A-/B+
MSRP: $25,795
By P. Scott
