V40 vs A180 vs A3

[Matthijs]

I need some help from (hopefully) long time users of the following cars:

- Volvo V40 D4 (190bhp)
- Audi A3 Saloon 1.4 tfsi
- Mercedes Benz A180 (yes the renault engine one)
They all have their ups-and-downs, some examples:
Volvo:
+ great engine
+ styling

- view to rear
- the way the satnav operates

Merc:
+ styling
+ best equipped

- slow
- small satnav screen

Audi:
- Very nice ride
- great interior, higher quality than the others.

- Most expensive
- least equipped

I've already driven them all and they are all nice to drive, I've read a lot of reviews online and viewed almost every video on Youtube, but I just don't know what to do. I'll drive this car for the next 4 years, so I need some help making my choice.

[Unlight]

I'd go for the V40.

It's got the best engine, and you also like the styling, best of both worlds.

[Maldini35]

Providing you like the way they drive, go for the best interior.

[FredClogs]

I've driven over 250,000 miles in old Volvo V40s, I know the knew one is not the same car but my father in law has one and is very happy with his, Volvo are good cars.

[anonymous-user]

Out of those cars the new A3 is probably the better car, although I do like the Volvo. A lot will come down to cost/finance and residulals so buy the one that balances best with which you like the best.

Unless your deadset on one of those three, have you considered a Mazda 3 as a wildcard?

[anonymous-user]

The way you operate the Volvo Sat-Nav actually makes a lot more sense once you get used to it. You can easily use it with no more than an occasional flick of the eyes away from the roads, it's far safer than a touch screen. It's slightly less intuitive than the "monkey see, monkey prod" approach generally used, but for good reason.

[ChasW]

I am having similar thoughts between V40 and A3 only. No interest in the Merc at all. Every time I see the Volvo it grows on me a bit. I'm looking at nearly new. Some are very well equipped.

[anonymous-user]

Also worth mentioning that I wouldn't be so sure the Audi interior is better quality than the Volvo. Make up your own mind from sitting in them and poking them about rather than trusting any of the regurgitated predictable dogst you read in motoring magazines. Having spend many miserable hours in all sorts of pool cars I've found that most of what "the press" say is miles off the mark.