Audi A3 vs Saab 9-3 12/23/2010
Wagons have largely been discontinued in favor of luxury crossovers, but there are still a number of drivers clamoring for the design. Many modern wagons can be found on the luxury market, and two great examples are the Audi A3 Diesel and Saab 9-3.
The cars are very close in price if buyers choose the diesel fuel option on the Audi (regular fuel is slightly cheaper). In fact, the 9-3 is just $80 more than the A3 wagon with diesel fuel.
The clean diesel gives the A3 a substantial fuel economy advantage over the 9-3, achieving 30 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway compared to Saab's 21/31. However, the A3 loses some of its appeal with comparatively weak horsepower at just 140 hp compared to the Saab's 207. It makes up for that somewhat in slightly superior torque, producing 236 lb-ft. The Saab checks in with 221 lb-ft.
Both vehicles are a bit lacking in the interior features department. The 9-3 comes with standard power seats, but the A3 is more flexibile in terms of features. Drivers can equip an iPod hookup on the A3, which isn't available on the Saab. Drivers also have the option of independently adding navigation or parking assist on the A3, while these features come in a package deal for the Saab.
Both cars are great buys, but in the end we give the nod to the 9-3. The power seats and extra horsepower push it over the top, but if a driver simply doesn't care about performance, than the clean diesel of the A3 is hard to ignore.