Audi A3 2.0T
Mileage: 25 mpg combined city/highway
Starting price: $27,410
According to Vincentric, the 2008 A3 gets 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving, less than might be expected of such a small car. While turbocharging robs gas mileage, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the A3 generates 200 hp, almost as much as the bigger, naturally aspirated four-cylinder in the Acura TSX. The A3's EPA highway driving estimate is a very respectable 29 mpg, but the combined estimate is biased 55%-45% toward city driving, at an estimated 22 mpg, Vincentric said. Like the Acura TSX, there is a slight (1 mpg) advantage in mileage for the A3 with an automatic transmission, but it will take a lot of gas savings to pay for the $1,480 option. A more powerful, six-cylinder variant also adds Audi Quattro all-wheel drive, and gets a not-bad 21 mpg combined, by comparison.
