Audi A3

In the US the A3 sells almost entirely as a sedan and almost entirely on petrol — diesel is a handful of cars. That is the reverse of the European small-diesel hatch, and it is why the model gets imported: a stylish compact with equipment that is expensive here.

The A3 is the one model in the range where the drivetrain is a genuine coin-toss, not a formality. The base 1.8 TFSI and the later 2.0 TFSI Ultra leave the factory front-wheel drive with a 7-speed dry-clutch S-Tronic, which is fussier in stop-and-go traffic. True all-wheel drive comes only on the 2.0 TFSI quattro (220 hp) — with the dependable 5th-gen Haldex and the sturdier 6-speed wet-clutch box. Both front- drive and quattro come in quantity, so don't guess from the name — look for the Quattro badge in the VIN.

The post-2015 engines are the third-generation EA888 (Gen 3) and are free of the old severe oil-burning. The weak point is the water-pump/thermostat module, which often leaks, and carbon build-up on the valves from direct injection, which needs periodic cleaning.

The sedan's body panels are fully interchangeable with the European A3, so used parts are around.