Many competitors have bitten their teeth on the Mercedes-Benz A-class in recent years, including the Audi A3. However, with a completely new generation, the Ingolstadt brand is making another attempt to overthrow the Stuttgart hatchback.
This places a heavy task on the shoulders of the new Audi A3, but as a brand-new model, the compact Audi has at least its age. At first glance, little may seem to have changed, but the car is still brand new. This is most evident around the strikingly wide wheel arches. What remains is the signature Sportback shape. The extra window behind the rear door gives the car a somewhat station wagon-like appearance, but that does not result in an abundance of space. The luggage space is almost the same as that of the A-class and the situation in the back seat certainly does not deserve the designation ‘spacious’. Still, it is not too tall adults to bear, where the A3 scores extra points with its headroom, a nice sitting position and a less confined feeling.
Impeccable
It is also noticeable that the quality experience in the Audi is of the highest level. The brand has a reputation to uphold in that area and does not disappoint with the second smallest model. It is inevitable that there are more hard plastics here and there than in larger and (even) more expensive models, but the build quality is impeccable. Moreover, the whole has a remarkably frivolous design for Audi standards. This is mainly due to the arrangement of the ventilation grilles, which are placed in full view on both sides of the instruments. On the other hand, they are inconspicuously integrated into the dashboard opposite the passenger, so that there is plenty of room for a touchscreen mounted in a pleasant place. That’s one: the two-screen setup is reserved for models from the A6 size. However, that is hardly a loss. In the more expensive Audi’s, the bottom screen mainly serves for the operation of the climate control, but the traditional buttons of the A3 are actually better in that respect. Now that the Volkswagen Group has opted for touch-sensitive sliders for the Golf, among others, that are not to everyone’s taste, the row of buttons in the A3 is an extra pleasant surprise. Fortunately, the screen that is there works very well. An always-visible tile row on the left of the screen ensures that it is never a long search for a main menu, while the quick response to touches will prevent annoyances. The digital instruments are also well organized, as we are used to from Audi. With buttons and a scroll wheel on the steering wheel, it is easy to call up a variety of setups, where an impressive amount of information can be displayed simultaneously. The large screen behind the wheel is also standard in every A3, although it must be said that the number of functions is very limited in the simplest version. The main criticism of the Audi infotainment is that the dashboard lighting is dimmed via the screen and the screens for really dark conditions are just too bright, even in the darkest position. A small thing, but still.
Nice and easy
The A3 is less sporty than its low-positioned sports seat and flattened S-Line steering wheel would suggest. To begin with, we still have to wait for the really thick versions, because the tested 35 TFSI is the most powerful petrol engine available for the time being. ’35 TFSI ‘is the Audi language for the 1.5 that the Volkswagen Group installs in almost all medium-sized products. That engine is also very nice here. The blown four-cylinder is quiet, economical and smooth. The latter is even more noticeable if, as in the testauto, a manual six-speed gearbox is chosen. Due to the less fussy engine, it is not immediately a disaster if you accelerate in a somewhat higher gear. The switching itself is also very pleasant. Incidentally, the manual A3 has to do without mild-hybrid technology, while a 35 TFSI with automatic transmission does have such a helper. The sports suspension of the S Edition version is sturdy, but not too hard. For the label ‘sporty’, the car is adjusted too safely and the steering is just too numb, but for the majority of drivers that does not have to be a disadvantage. What the A3 is, is a nice and very easy-driving car. Due to the silence on board, the balanced suspension and the relatively heavy steering, the A3 feels like just a little more car than many of its competitors.
The Audi A3 35 TFSI as S Edition is certainly not cheap. With options, the total for the test specimen comes to more than half a ton. For that money you do get mood lighting, adaptive cruise control and a good audio system, but it must at the same time lack the panoramic roof and even a rear view camera. It is also noticeable that the remote control has to be operated to unlock the car. Driver aids and assistance systems are available as separate options.