Audi’s smallest automotive is likely to be simple to miss in a world of outsized SUVs and high-performance EVs however there’s nonetheless lots to love concerning the A3, particularly for these searching for one thing compact, environment friendly, and genuinely premium-feeling.
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The A3 was first launched in 1996, and in 2020, it entered its fourth era with a extra fashionable and mature look. It has not been promoting in the identical numbers because the third-gen mannequin, however it nonetheless serves an necessary position because the entry-level mannequin in Audi’s vary.
Final 12 months it underwent a facelift, bringing with it a barely extra hanging look and up to date lights. Sadly, this replace introduced with it a major worth hike, which means in Australia the bottom Sportback mannequin now begins at AU$54,800 (~$35,400), up AU$4,200 ($2,700) from final 12 months, which itself was already fairly a hefty chunk of change for a hatch of this measurement.
Up till just lately, I’d by no means had an opportunity to drive the fourth-gen A3, however I just lately spent every week residing with the bottom A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic, which proved to be a wonderful each day. Nonetheless, the value could also be laborious to justify for some.
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What’s New For 2025?
In updating the A3 for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, Audi has launched a wider Singleframe black grille and redesigned the decrease lip spoiler. There are additionally newly-shaped air intakes, however on the mannequin we examined, they’re utterly non-functional and lined in low-cost black plastic.
A brand new set of LED headlights and taillights has additionally been launched for 2025. Whereas the 35 TFSI S tronic we examined sits on the base of the native vary, it seems certifiably sporty. Nonetheless, there’s nothing notably sporty concerning the powertrain.
Driving the automotive is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 148 hp (110 kW) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. This engine is mated as much as a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, sending energy solely by way of the entrance wheels. Aussie buyers can order the 35 TFSI in each Sportback and Sedan guises, each packing the identical powertrain.
Curiously, there’s additionally a mild-hybrid system that’s been integrated, which provides 12 hp (9 kW) and 37 lb-ft (50 Nm). Given the A3’s modest efficiency figures, it comes as no shock that it’s not notably spritely, requiring 8.1 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph).
Only a single trim stage of the A3 Sportback and Sedan is offered within the native market, though each fashions will be configured with the Consolation package deal and the Model package deal. The primary of those provides an electrical tailgate whereas the Model pack contains 18-inch Audi Sport wheels, black exterior styling, privateness glass, black wing mirrors, and configurable ambient lighting. Our tester featured each, bringing its complete worth as much as $58,810 (~$38,000) earlier than relevant on-road prices and expenses.
Pictures Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A Sporty And Spacious Inside
The cabin is a superb place to spend time. I’m a giant fan of the format of this era of Audi, preferring it over the marginally odd cabin designs of brand-new Audi fashions, just like the A6 e-tron.
The steering wheel is completely sized and surprisingly sporty. Sitting behind it’s Audi’s very good 12.3-inch digital cockpit plus. Whereas this primary system is comparatively outdated, and the software program is considerably primary, it stays one of many higher digital gauge clusters in the marketplace.
Positioned within the heart of the sprint is a ten.1-inch infotainment show utilizing Audi’s acquainted software program. Angular air vents have then been integrated into the sprint, which itself is sort of angular, properly complementing the outside design.
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Then again, some parts of the cabin aren’t fairly so good. For starters, there’s far an excessive amount of high-gloss piano black plastic across the digital shifter and the Begin/Cease button. Moreover, there’s a notable lack of soft-touch surfaces on the sprint and door panels, and an abundance of bland black plastic as an alternative.
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Happily, the seats are nice. Our tester’s seats had been clad in a luxurious fabric and leatherette upholstery and had been exceptionally comfy, even over lengthy journeys. In addition they provide good bolstering ought to homeowners wish to have interaction in some sporty driving, fairly than merely utilizing the A3 as a automotive to get from level A to level B.
The four-way electrical lumbar assist can also be helpful. Nonetheless, an absence of electrical adjustment for the entrance passenger seat, although not a giant deal, is an odd cost-saving measure, notably since each entrance seats are heated.
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Each wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, as are DAB+ digital radio and a small wi-fi cellphone charger. The A3 35 TFSI additionally comes commonplace with a stable 10-speaker audio system.
In the case of ferrying round passengers, the A3 does the job properly sufficient. Rear house is stable and a few adults can match comforably. There are not any controls to regulate the fan pace within the rear, however there’s a scroll wheel to tweak the temperature, which is good.
Cargo house is sweet. With the rear seats in place, the A3 Sportback affords up 380 liters (13.4 cubic toes) of carrying capability and 1,200 liters (42.3 cubic toes) with the seats folded down. A cargo web on the ground is a welcome inclusion.
What’s It Like To Drive?
Quickly after sliding into the A3’s seat and setting off, it turned instantly clear that it feels sportier than the equal VW Golf with which it shares its MQB structure.
Thoughts you, it’s not quick. As talked about, it takes over 8 seconds to hit 62 mph. Nonetheless, the direct and well-weighted steering provides the 35TFSI a sporty edge. Admittedly, homeowners will drive their automobiles in city settings more often than not, however for these eager to enterprise out to a mountain street, there’s loads of enjoyable available.
The automotive we examined was fitted with Nexen tires, and whereas they aren’t essentially the most premium providing, they supplied an excellent mixture of grip and luxury with out an intrusive quantity of noise.
Audi’s engineers must be recommended for doing a advantageous job with the suspension setup of the 35 TFSI, too. It stays poised and unsettled over bumps, guaranteeing the Sportback is well-suited to on a regular basis driving duties.
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A pair of paddle shifters behind the wheel lets you shift by way of the gears, however the seven-speed ‘field isn’t the quickest in the marketplace. It’s usually finest when left to its personal gadgets, easily altering by way of the gears as you construct pace. As you’d think about, the turbo three-pot isn’t characterful, nor does it sound notably good at greater revs. Furthermore, in moist situations, there’s an disagreeable quantity of wheel hop by way of the entrance tires when you’re a bit too grasping with the throttle.
Effectivity is the powertrain’s robust swimsuit. Audi says the 1.5-liter turbo sips 5.3 l/100 km (44.3 US mpg) over the mixed cycle. I managed to return 5.8 l/100 km (40.5 US mpg) throughout my time with the automotive, which included a mixture of freeway and suburban driving. Aiding within the effectivity is the truth that the engine will deactivate two cylinders in leisurely driving. There’s additionally regenerative braking, permitting the automotive to recuperate as a lot as 12 kW.
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Verdict
The newest A3 is a stable all-rounder. In base type, it might not be notably inspiring, however it ticks the entire necessary bins for these out there for a premium hatchback with the Ingolsdadt-based model’s cache.
Audi’s crew has finished a advantageous job of completely strolling the road between heat hatch and cozy cruiser, constructing a automotive that’s environment friendly when it must be, however will be surprisingly pleasing to drive alongside a twisty street. As an entire, it serves as a fantastic entry into the model’s expansive household of fashions. Nonetheless, price-conscious hatchback and sedan consumers would possibly wish to look elsewhere – as they in all probability ought to, as a result of the likes of Audi don’t spotlight worth for cash being one among their strongest promoting factors anyway.