Audi A3

Rank: 8
Turning Radius: 17.6 feet
Length: 168.7 inches
Width: 77.1 inches
City Slickness: Good handling; all-weather stability; great seats

A good compromise for those who commute long distances into the city, the sporty A3 hatchback combines good ride quality, high-speed stability and some of the luxuries of a larger car while offering the tight handling and easy maneuverability of a small car on city streets. Nicely proportioned seats and an excellent sound system will keep you comfortable and entertained inside, while folding seats offer more cargo-carrying options than a sedan.

2006 Audi A3 + click to enlarge | view slideshow >

The standard A3’s 200-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with front-wheel drive delivers excellent performance, but there’s also an available 250-hp 3.2-liter V6 with the quattro all-wheel-drive system that's good for slick winter roadways. The short and easy-to-maneuver A3 will fit into just about any parking spot, though there’s one reservation: It’s one of the widest small cars, so if you’re in an area of especially narrow roads or narrow parking spots, you might want to look at one of the other top picks.

Published 05/24/2006