Model Year | 2006 | 2006 | 2011 | 2011 |
Model | A3 | A3 | SLK | SLK |
Trim | 2.0T | 3.2 S line | SLK300 | SLK350 |
Engines | ||||
Transmissions | ||||
Drivetrains | ||||
Tires | ||||
Audio Systems | ||||
Accessories | ||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||
Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||
Homelink. | ||||
Removable or foldable barrier extends upward behind the front seatbacks, preventing cold air from entering the front seat area. | ||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||
Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||
Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||
Cargo Management | ||||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||
Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | ||||
Climate Control | ||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||
Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | ||||
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||
Engine / Motor | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Exterior | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||
Front glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof. | ||||
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||
Infotainment | ||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||
Includes CD player. | ||||
CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player. | ||||
Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data. | ||||
High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | ||||
Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||
SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | ||||
In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||
Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||
Includes frequencies for weather channels. Only listed when pricing a single model because incomplete data for all model. | ||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||
Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | ||||
Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | ||||
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||
One or both exterior mirrors tilt down when the transmission is in reverse, to provide view of the curb. | ||||
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||
Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||
Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | ||||
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||
Leather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||
Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
Neck-level heat vents. | ||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||
Real wood comprises part of the steering wheel rim. | ||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Transmission | ||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006 Audi A3
6-speed manual FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD