The 2010 A3 TDI was named Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, which might have people wondering if used Audis in New Jersey and elsewhere are as eco-friendly.

Green Car Journal really liked the “rakish styling” of the A3 TDI, according to the New York Times. The alphanumeric in its name refers to this compact’s size – it’s smaller than the A4 because it isn’t a sedan. TDI, which stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, is a description of the clean diesel engine found under this Audi‘s hood. The motor will go for more than 40 highway miles on a single gallon of diesel, which likely pleased the competition’s judges, who included TV host and car nut Jay Leno, as well as auto guru Carroll Shelby.

The only problem with the new A3 TDI is that it starts at $29,950, which is a bit expensive for a compact with a 2-liter engine that produces a meager 140 horsepower. After all, the $29,675 2004 Volkswagen R32, which shares its platform with the A3, had a 3.2-liter that was good for more than 240 HP, according to Motor Trend.

Given the 2010 A3’s price tag, some auto buyers might not be able to afford a brand new TDI, even though it’s economical. So, for eco-friendly individuals, perhaps an older A3 is more realistic. Unsurprisingly, Audis get better and better every year, and shoppers shouldn’t expect older models to be as fuel-efficient as their younger counterparts, especially since the TDI engine only became available in American A3s a few years ago.

In spite of its gasoline motor, the Audi A3 still got 29 highway miles per gallon in 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This intriguing statistic could generate interest in used Audi models in New Jersey and elsewhere.