I Drove My Audi A3 E-Tron 20,000 Miles In 6 Months, Here's How It Went
When I accidentally purchased a 65,000 mile plug-in hybrid German hatchback with no warranty back in August of last year, I was optimistic—though not entirely convinced—that my ownership experience would be largely positive. After running back and forth across this great nation five times in the last six months, my 2016 Audi A3 E-Tron has proven that it might just be the greatest road tripper/daily driver I've ever owned. Despite the few struggles I had with wrenching on this machine, all due to my own dumb*ss mistakes, it has served dutifully in fuel-sipping fealty. My goal with this car was always to rack up the miles, but I didn't quite expect to add this many of them quite so quickly. I don't think I have ever added 20,000 miles to a car so quickly, but pushing the odometer on this little plug-in hybrid from 65,000 to over 85,000 now has to come with some side effects, right? Everyone always says German cars without warranties are bad ideas, so how has it been?
With Volkswagen's venerable 1.4T engine and a small electric motor under the hood, this little machine makes a combined 201 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for me to consider this a warm hatchback. This is the same platform and drivetrain found in the Europe-only Volkswagen GTE, after all. It'll run from 0-60 in 7.6 seconds, which is certainly quick enough for modern traffic. Aside from a few cosmetic modifications and regular oil changes, this car hasn't asked me for anything. So long as I keep it fed with electrons and driven responsibly, it returns either 20-25 miles of full-electric city driving, 50-60 miles per gallon in hybrid mode, or high-30s to low 40s with a totally flat battery. Because I've spent at least two thirds of my drive time on long interstate hauls, it's unfortunately been a lot of the latter. The more city driving I do, the higher the average MPG score it returns, obviously.
Read more: Hertz Is Selling Its Fleet Of Rental Tesla Model 3s For Cheap
In the time I've owned this car I have purchased two different sets of wheels and tires—one for summer, one for winter—installed lowering springs, swapped the grilles to give the car an S3-style look, popped on a pair of Audi Ur-Quattro door decals, and added a pair of Hella fog lights. I really like how the car looks now, but if I had to do it over, I probably wouldn't have done the Hella fog lights because this move meant I had to cut out too much of the grille to make everything fit and that resulted in a grille that is a little too loose and floppy for my taste. This summer I might take the bumper off again and try again with a new grille. We'll see how I feel about it once the weather warms up. The ECS Tuning lowering springs I installed are just a smidge on the too-stiff side, but the car just looks so much better with an inch and a half taken out of its ride height that I can't complain about it. It's only really bad when I spend three days in a row ripping across the country on I-80 feeling every single one of its expansion joints in my spine. Sometimes beauty comes with a little pain.
The only flaw I have been able to find in this car across six months of nearly constantly being behind the wheel is the clear coat on the hood (above). I had plans to get it to my paint guy last fall, but ended up needing to run it way more miles than I had planned after our Cayenne pooped out its high pressure fuel pump in October. The three small holes in the car's clear coat have turned into two small holes and one really big one. I'll get this rectified soon, but for now it hasn't been causing any deeper issues, so I let it go for a few months.
As many of you pointed out in the comments of the brake caliper post, the rotors are looking a little worse for wear, so perhaps I'll get them resurfaced in the coming months, but right now it's hardly a drivability issue as they don't squeak or grind and a good bit of the braking is done by energy recovery anyway. Equally, I probably should have installed new shocks and struts when I had the suspension apart, because the rears in particular are getting a bit bouncy. That's to be expected with 85,000 miles on the odometer, I suppose. The only minor annoyance I've found, and this is really picking nits, is that every once in a while if I shift out of park too quickly after hitting the start button, the car kind of has a minor freak out and won't go anywhere, so I have to turn it off and turn it back on. This isn't so much an issue with the car but an issue with my patience. I have learned to wait an additional half second for the computers to boot up before slapping the shifter into reverse, and it hasn't happened since. Unfortunately, that's kind of the whole list. Like I said back in late August when I picked it up, I think I got lucky.
The interior still looks the same, packed with chocolatey goodness, though it's a little on the dirty side right now. The fuel mileage has been pretty great. The car looks good, drives good, and feels good. It's a good car, and well worth every penny of the $11,575 I paid for it.
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox...
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Motor Trend
21 minutes ago
- Motor Trend
2026 Audi Q3 Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez Redesigned for 2026, the Audi Q3 arrives with a new look, an upgraded powertrain delivering improved performance, and a suite of cutting-edge technology features. From its refined cabin to its enhanced driver-assistance systems, the latest Q3 aims to set a new benchmark for luxury in the compact SUV segment. Entry-level luxury subcompact SUV competitors include the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and Acura ADX. What's New Audi debuts an updated Q3 this year. The redesigned crossover features fresh styling, an updated engine, modernized tech including Audi's Digital Matrix style exterior lighting, and more space. This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available. What We Think Audi's entry-level SUV delivers on style and brand identity, but the previous Q3 generation fell short in areas that matter to discerning luxury buyers. Could the updated 2026 Q3 change that? The baby ute's sleek exterior and modern cabin—complete with sharp digital displays and surprising rear-seat space—give it a strong showroom appeal. However, the pre-2026 Q3's driving experience tells a different story. Although the luxury SUV's small size allows for nimble handling, a bouncy ride and underwhelming engine performance limit its luxury feel. Inside, the upscale design on pre-2026 models is undercut by low-rent materials. For buyers seeking the most affordable way into an Audi SUV, the Q3 still fits the bill. We look forward to seeing if the new version moves the luxury performance needle relative to the outgoing model. Top-Ranked Competitors: Performance The 2026 Audi Q3 may launch with two versions of an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine. On the lower-trim models, output may come to 201 hp 236 lb-ft of torque, just like the A3 small sedan. Higher-trim 2026 Q3 S-Line models may be more powerful, at least matching the outgoing SUV's 228 hp and 251 lb-ft. Quattro AWD will be standard. We estimate sprints to 60 mph will take roughly 8 seconds with this setup. MPGs and Range Despite the increase in output, fuel economy is expected to improve on last year's 20–22/28–29 mpg city/highway through enhanced engine efficiency. Look for Q3 fuel economy to be on par with the 2025 XC40, which returns 23/30 mpg. Safety Features This year's Q3 will build on a set of driver assists that last year included: Adaptive cruise control Lane keeping Automatic emergency braking Blind-spot monitoring Automatic high beams How Big Is the 2026 Q3? Audi's smallest SUV continues to come with two rows and room for five passengers. Given the changes that came to the related Volkswagen Tiguan for 2025—namely a longer wheelbase and redesigned center console without a gear selector (it moves to the steering column)—space looks on track to improve. Technology Infotainment The lineup's standard 10.3-inch driver display should carry over, but Audi will be moving on from the last model's 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Look for a 12.9-inch replacement interface (like the Tiguan's). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as several USB ports, will be standard. Available Upgrades The new Audi Q3 features advanced Digital Matrix style lighting—LED headlights and taillights that can change dynamically to avoid blinding oncoming traffic or project one of many available light signatures. Will some of this tech arrive on the U.S.-spec Q3? We'll see. Value The Q3 continues to be the most affordable Audi SUV, itself an enticement for brand intenders. A new model this year sweetens the deal, but refinement issues have held back past versions of the SUV from appealing to a wider audience. The 2026 Audi Q3 is the only SUV model from the brand with a starting price under $50,000 including destination.
Motor Trend
21 minutes ago
- Motor Trend
2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed First Look: Fewer Cylinders, But WAY More Power(!)
The Bentley Bentayga Speed once reigned as the ultimate blend of performance and plushness in the SUV world, thanks to its mighty W-12 engine. With a thunderous 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, this luxurious beast launched from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, and blitzed through the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds at 120.7 mph in our testing. But with Crewe pulling the plug on the W-12, the mightiest Bentayga's heart lost four cylinders—and with them, a bit of the SUV's bite. 0:00 / 0:00 But the Speed name is back—and it's coming in hot. Enter the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed, now packing a revamped 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that cranks out 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That's a serious bump—99 more horses and 96 extra lb-ft over the V-8 S, and, you'll note, beyond the old W-12's output—making this the most powerful Bentayga ever to wear the winged badge. Power isn't the only thing getting a boost. Bentley gave the 2026 Bentayga Speed a round of upgrades, including fresh wheel designs and new interior touches. Drift Your Bentayga... ? With its return, the 2026 Bentayga Speed officially takes the crown as the flagship of the Bentayga lineup. Below it, the rest of the Bentayga range soldiers on with the 542-hp, 568-lb-ft twin-turbo V-8, or the 3.0-liter V-6 plug-in hybrid, which delivers a respectable 456 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Bentley claims the 2026 Bentayga Speed will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds—but we're calling that conservative. After all, they quoted 3.9 seconds for the old W-12, and we clocked it at 3.1 seconds. Based on the numbers, we expect the new Speed to rip from 0 to 60 in the 2.8 to 3.0-second range—a bonkers stat for a luxury SUV tipping the scales at over 5,000 pounds. To help rein in all that fury, the Speed can be equipped with massive carbon-ceramic brakes tucked behind newly designed—and a first for Bentley—23-inch wheels. The Bentayga Speed doesn't just move like a rocket—it sounds the part, too. A standard sport exhaust system gives the V-8 a richer, more aggressive growl, piped through a set of dual tailpipes flanking the rear diffuser. For those craving an even deeper, more visceral soundtrack, Bentley offers an optional titanium Akrapovic exhaust, complete with distinctive quad tailpipes. To make the most of that snarling exhaust, the new Sport mode cranks things up a notch—stiffening the suspension by 15 percent compared to Comfort and Bentley modes. Bentley says it also sharpens steering response and deepens the driver's connection, making the big SUV feel more dialed-in and dynamic than ever. Drifting probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Bentayga—but the Speed might change that. According to Bentley, toggle the ESC to Dynamic and engage Sport mode, and the big brute will let loose with 'exhilarating drift angles' and power-on oversteer. Torque vectoring sharpens turn-in and puts down more grunt on corner exits, dialing up the agility. We'll have to see this in action—for science, of course—when we get behind the wheel soon. Rounding out the mechanical upgrades, the Bentayga Speed now features four-wheel steering—a welcome addition that tightens up low-speed maneuvering and shrinks the turning circle, making this big SUV feel far nimbler in tight spaces. Spot the Differences Cosmetically, the 2026 Bentayga Speed keeps things subtle but classy. Sharp-eyed fans will notice the dark tint inside the headlights and smoked gray taillights, while the Speed chrome badges along the sides proudly announce you're in the lineup's top dog. What stands out is the contrasting pinstripes wrapping the lower body, which can be matched to the color of the carbon-ceramic brakes for a touch of extra flair. Inside, the updates are subtle. Speed emblems grace the backrests, and you can customize the interior trim to match the exterior pinstripes for a splash of coordinated style. Quilted leather wraps the cabin in luxury, with generous coverage on the seats and door panels. We'll have a chance to test the new 2026 Bentley Bentayga soon. Stay tuned for our review.
Car and Driver
34 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
2026 BMW i4 Will Gain Longer Range from a More Efficient Inverter
BMW is updating the 2026 i4 lineup with myriad changes that affect range and output. New semiconductor components for the inverter improve efficiency and increase the i4's range estimate by about 5 percent. Starting in 2026, the range-topping i4 M50 will turn into the i4 M60 and get an additional 56 hp, bringing it up to 592 horsepower. Before the i3 shows up with its updated Neue Klasse design, BMW is updating the i4 electric sedan with improved range and output figures. The updated i4's inverter will utilize new silicon-carbide semiconductor components, which BMW claims will reduce energy consumption by roughly 5 percent. The saved energy comes out to about 14 miles of additional range from a full charge, though your literal mileage may vary based on trim and equipment. BMW As things currently stand, the rear-drive eDrive40 gets an estimated 301 miles of range from a full charge. The AWD xDrive40 gets an estimated 307 miles when equipped with 18-inch wheels, or 307 when wearing 19-inch shoes. The current range-topping M50 earns just 245 miles, according to EPA estimates. Along with improved efficiency, BMW is also boosting the i4's performance—at least at the top end of the range. The M50 model that served as the flagship trim for the previous four model years is gone. It's being replaced by a new M60 trim, which can unlock a maximum of 592 horsepower in Sport mode, bringing the total output up by 56 hp compared with the old M50. BMW A spokesperson for BMW confirmed to Car and Driver that while the brand is instituting the updates this summer in Europe, U.S. production won't start until the fourth quarter. As a result, the updates won't show up until the 2026 model year. Pricing and official range figures will come out closer to the on-sale date. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
