After years without a dedicated daily driver, I decided it was time to find a car that could handle the everyday grind. My criteria were simple: it needed to be a plug-in hybrid, offer a premium feel, and avoid being utterly boring. The search led me to the Audi A3 E-tron, and after some patient searching, I finally found one that ticked all the boxes – and then some. This week, I flew down to sunny Southern California to pick up my new-to-me 2018 Audi A3 e-tron, and I’m confident I made a solid choice. While it’s not without a few minor cosmetic blemishes, overall, this red beauty with a chocolate brown interior seems ready to tackle the 2,300-mile journey back home and become my reliable, fun commuter. Let’s dive into the details, examining both the quirks and the qualities of my latest automotive acquisition.
For months, the Audi A3 e-tron lingered in the back of my mind as the ideal candidate. I was drawn to the plug-in capability combined with the upscale Audi interior. However, the search proved somewhat frustrating. Every e-tron I encountered seemed to be painted in shades of grey or white, paired with a predictably drab black interior. I simply couldn’t bring myself to commit to such a monochrome existence. Then, this particular A3 e-tron surfaced – resplendent in red with a rich chocolate brown interior. It was exactly the splash of color I was looking for, and I knew I had to act fast. So far, my impulsive decision feels completely justified.
Image depicting the interior of the used Audi A3 e-tron, highlighting the patina on the driver’s seat.
Stepping inside the A3 e-tron, the interior bears the subtle hallmarks of a car that has covered 65,000 miles. The driver’s seat exhibits some wrinkles and creases, a natural consequence of use, but thankfully, there are no rips or tears in the leather. I believe a good leather conditioner will work wonders here, rejuvenating the material and minimizing the visible wear. Interestingly, these imperfections appear more pronounced in photographs than they do to the naked eye. Similarly, the lower door panels show scuff marks, likely from shoes brushing against them during entry and exit. Again, these are minor cosmetic details that are less noticeable in person than they appear under the scrutiny of a camera lens. I’m optimistic that a thorough cleaning will significantly improve these areas.
Close-up shot of the scuff marks on the lower door panel of the Audi A3 e-tron, showcasing typical wear and tear.
Moving to the exterior, the impact of six years under the intense Southern California sun is evident. The most significant issue is a small patch of clear coat failure, approximately three to four inches in diameter. Judging by its irregular shape, I suspect this damage was caused by a concentrated deposit of acidic bird droppings that unfortunately remained uncleaned and baked onto the paintwork.
Adding to the exterior quirks are four CalDOT High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane access stickers, which will undoubtedly need to be removed. The sticker on the front bumper is particularly weathered and unsightly. However, I’m hesitant to simply rip it off, fearing potential further damage to the paint underneath. With a bit of heat from a hairdryer and some Goo Gone adhesive remover, I anticipate these stickers can be carefully peeled away without causing additional harm. I have prior experience removing similar stickers from my old Nissan Leaf project car, and I know it can be a tedious process.
And what about the wheels? Predictably, the stock wheels have accumulated their fair share of curb rash. It’s almost a rite of passage for used cars in urban environments.
The presence of a front license plate bracket is another visual element that I find jarring and plan to address. The fact that many drivers tolerate this aesthetic intrusion on their car’s design is, to my eye, quite unfortunate.
Front view of the Audi A3 e-tron, emphasizing the less desirable front license plate bracket that the owner intends to remove.
Knowing myself and my penchant for personalization, I’ve already begun formulating a list of modifications for this perfectly serviceable daily driver. Even before picking up the car, I secured a set of used Fifteen52 Tarmac wheels from Facebook Marketplace for a bargain price of just $400. While I initially considered more unconventional wheel designs, the irresistible price of these Fifteen52s made them too good to pass up. They will definitely be a welcome upgrade.
According to the Audi’s onboard computer, the car has achieved an average fuel economy of 36.4 miles per gallon over its lifetime. This figure suggests that the previous owner may not have consistently utilized the plug-in hybrid system to its full potential. I fully anticipate this number to improve significantly under my ownership, as I intend to maximize electric driving whenever possible. The car even came equipped with a Level 2 charger in the trunk, which I plan to install in my driveway, enabling convenient daily charging and emissions-free commuting.
Curious to test the public charging infrastructure, I plugged the A3 e-tron into a Level 2 charger while grabbing lunch at a Panera Bread. The onboard charger has a limited capacity of 3.2 kW, meaning it’s not designed for rapid charging. This brief charging session added a few miles to the electric range, but it’s hardly an efficient use of time. Unless I encounter a suitable overnight charging option at a hotel during my cross-country drive, I don’t expect to rely heavily on public charging stations between California and Ohio. Being a plug-in hybrid with a relatively small battery, this model lacks DC fast charging capability, making quick top-ups impractical during short stops.
Image of the Audi A3 e-tron plugged into a Level 2 public charging station, demonstrating the car’s charging capability.
One design detail I particularly appreciate is the clever integration of the charging port, hidden discreetly behind the iconic four rings of the Audi grille. It’s a subtle yet sophisticated element of the plug-in hybrid system that I find quite appealing.
Close-up view of the Audi A3 e-tron’s front grille, highlighting the hidden charging port behind the Audi logo.
Overall, my initial impressions of this little Audi A3 e-tron are overwhelmingly positive. It promises to be an excellent car for navigating city streets and handling daily errands. I envision giving it a subtle “tarmac rally” aesthetic, which will necessitate some robust tires and upgraded suspension to effectively manage the less-than-perfect road surfaces of Cleveland, Ohio. A modest set of lowering sport springs (approximately one inch), upgraded sway bars, new wheels and tires, and a few carefully chosen cosmetic enhancements should achieve the desired effect. I believe this will be a fantastic addition to my garage, and I might have just gotten incredibly lucky with this purchase.
