Star-Crossed Competitors - Volvo V50 T5 AWD vs. Audi A3 2.0T DSG

[George@Swedespeed]

Inquire with the manufacturer of each of the 5-door European imports you see here and you likely won’t find the other on either company’s list of intended competitors. The Swedes at Volvo will tell you the V50 competes one class up with the Audi A4 Avant, while the Germans over at Audi will tell you the A3 squares off against the MINI Cooper. Nevertheless, like star-crossed mates of Romeo and Juliet caliber, these two cars are drawn together no matter what the Montagues or Capulets… er… Audi or Volvo might suggest.

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[christophe]

Great write up and interestingly one I actually did before deciding on the V50 for myself.

AWD was a must in my situation and the only way to get that in the Audi was the A3 3.2 or the A4 (2.0T). Fully loaded, as I did with my V50, and with dealerships unwilling to sell at less then MSRP on the A3, help seal it's fate as it was near $43,000. This was a savings of close to $6000 by going with the fully loaded V50. The A4 was a little too porky for what I wanted however sat roughly within $1500-$2000 over the V50. My conclusion was add an ECU software upgrade and power would equal the 3.2. If the A3 would have offered AWD in the 2.0T (also add software upgrade), I would be hard pressed to have bought the Volvo for many of the reasons you listed. The A3 holds a huge edge in technology. However, the V50 holds a huge edge in cargo capacity, also something I liked as I do a lot of outdoor activities.

Good write up


Modified by christophe at 10:46 AM 11-16-2005

[Mitlov]

I give SwedeSpeed a LOT of credit for being objective on this test, despite the fact that it's a Volvo website. The A3 is a very good car with slightly different strengths than the V50, and I think it's really cool (and unusual) that the reviewers acknowledged that.

[christophe]

Quote, originally posted by Mitlov »

I give SwedeSpeed a LOT of credit for being objective on this test, despite the fact that it's a Volvo website. The A3 is a very good car with slightly different strengths than the V50, and I think it's really cool (and unusual) that the reviewers acknowledged that.

Yeah because if you own an A3, comparing it to anything but an Enzo, there is no car in the world that can touch it

[oldschoolvolvo]

i agree...nice objective article

[Oldman]

I was blown away by the A3 DSG, but then the oldlady would take my A3 all the time leaving me with the Hurst... I mean the black V70 with tint... Don't ever buy black on a V70.....

[Mitlov]

Quote, originally posted by christophe »

Yeah because if you own an A3, comparing it to anything but an Enzo, there is no car in the world that can touch it

I haven't driven an A3 myself. But I think it's kind of silly how some people are treating it like the new holy grail of automotive excellence. Sure, DSG is cool if you're into automatics. And I hear handling is fantastic, as is interior quality. But the car is not right for everyone.

* Comparing manual transmission to manual transmission, the Volvo V50 T5 is faster 0-60. 6.6 seconds to 6.9, if I recall correctly.

* The A3 is teeny for a five-door. The V50 doesn't have a big wagon area, but it dwarfs the A3's. And cars like the Legacy GT or the 9-3 SportCombi have far, far, far more cargo room than an A3.

* Audi reliability isn't exactly stellar. It ranked 31 out of 37 for "dependability" according to JD Power for 2005.

* You can't get a power passenger seat or a memory driver's seat in an A3.

[ACD]

Volvo = Wagon
Audi = Hatch

Just too different in my book. I also never bought the idea that the Subaru Forester is an SUV...sorry it's a station wagon. The Audi shouldn't be competing with the Volvo.

Mini vs. nobody
A3 vs. nobody
Volvo V50 vs. Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Audi A4 vs. BMW 3 vs. Merc. 320

[JUJ13]

Actually test drove and considered the A3 before getting the S40. The V50 was not a consideration actually. Sorta had to do with what ACD pointed out, that the A3 is a hatchback, not a true wagon like the V50. At least to me, since I was already used to the 2-door version from several trips to Holland, and that one is a true hatchback.

Anyhow, the Audi's definitively a decent car (no Holy Grail though). Interior was nicely done, acceleration felt good (this was on the 2.0 engine never-the-less), couldn't really test the handling on the test drive too much, but it felt like it could handle pretty good. However, Audi's reliability reputation killed the deal for us. As an auditor, my gf needs a reliable car (yeah, yeah we all do). If she drove a set route daily, I wouldn't mind picking her up if/when it broke down (aside from it being a hassle though ). But in her case, one week she can be down in Miami, and the next in Vero Beach. ...plus we already had sortof/kindof settled on the Volvo anyhow by then

Anyway, two things I didn't like about the A3 (and an '06 A4 I recently sat in). First, is that the space between driver/passenger is tight. To the point that shifting was slightly awkward. And second, that the arm rest blocks the e-brake handle (and tends to be popped upwards when setting it.) Oh well, I'm still considering an A4 for myself eventually (but my drive to work is short and many co-workers can pick me up ) so those negatives were not all that bad.

[George@Swedespeed]

Thanks guys, for the input (maybe more critical) and the compliments. This article was published on our Audi website (Fourtitude.com) and our general automotive website (TheCarLounge.net). I wrote it, and am fond of both brands, so it was relatively easy to see the good and the bad of both cars, though very hard to choose one over the other.

Writing for multiple sites, it pushes us to be less 'fanboy' and more moderate. I hope we succeeded.

[ACD]

No one takes anything from a pat on the back George. I've appreciated and participated in the Vortex community almost from its initiation. Swedespeed became invaluable to me when I owned Volvos and I still check back because you guys do a great job.

I think you had a hard time coming to a winner, because the winner is which ever car is best for each person's lifestyle...meaning they aren't really competitors in the sense that an Accord competes with a Camry.

I think the A3 is not a good value...proof ? It makes the over-priced 325i look like a steal, meaning that the Volvo would be a smarter buy.

[dushan]

the article was spot on and very timely. it is THE comparison (i'm sorry, but who cares about the subaru?)

for my needs now, the v50 is a clear winner, for the following reasons:

3.2 l A3 is not yet available in the u.s., 2.0 l is too small, and i wanted a new car before this winter (baby due in january).

3.2 l A3 AWD will not be available in a straight manual transmission in the u.s. (just because i'm becomming a parent doesn't mean i'm going to stoop to an automatic).

i need the extra room of the V50 wagon (lots of outdoor sports, and the baby...)

i loved the volvo OSD experience.

all that being said, i would love a 3.2 l A3 as a second car....