The fun to drive 2022 Audi A3.

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Overview

It's a great car, the Audi A3. It boasts three turbocharged engines, two of which are in high-performance variants, and has nimble handling and a comfortable ride. 

The interior of the A3 is gorgeous and has many high-end materials. Additionally, it offers user-friendly technological elements and two rows of roomy seats. The A3's trunk size, which is among the smallest in the luxury small vehicle class, is the only serious negative.

The Audi A3 sedan, which skipped the 2021 model year, is back for 2022 with updated styling, new technology, an even more economical engine, and a mild hybrid system. Audi has condensed the design elements of the recently redesigned A6 and A8 into a more compact form. The A3 is one of the smallest sedans on the market. The rear seat is somewhat confined as a result, the A3 benefits from being nimble and easy to park.

Since the A3's release, competitors like the New Mercedes-Benz A-Class and CLA sedans and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe have made it feel a little dated. The Lexus IS and Used Volvo S60 are two further competitive alternatives. 

Pros.
Cons.
What’s New.

  • Sporty handling and a nimble yet effective engine.

  • Small rear passenger space.

  • Brand-new exterior and interior architecture.

  • Nice seats with polished ride comfort.

  • Smaller trunk than the opposition.

  • Improved driver assistance and in-car technology.

  • Excellent in-car technology and music system.

  • Unsatisfactory downshifts and cargo space.

  • A mild hybrid powertrain that is effective.

  • Numerous standard and optional features.

  • Unexpectedly cheap-looking interior.

  • The third-generation A3 debuts.

Performance

It feels light and nimble thanks to its compact footprint, whether you're driving down a mountain road or navigating a parking lot. The steering of the A3 is light and precise, but it doesn't give you much sense of the road. The brakes are also quite good.


The A3 feels speedy on the road thanks to plenty of low- and mid-range power, as evidenced by a respectable 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.4 seconds. With quick, smooth shifts and superior city driving capabilities compared to other small premium cars, the transmission is helpful. The base A3 is still fun to drive, even though Audi left more on the table for the sportier S3 and RS 3.

Fuel Economy

The EPA estimates the Audi A3's combined fuel economy to be 32 mpg or 31 mpg when it has all-wheel drive. In either case, that is superior to what you would receive from the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe competitors.

Value

For this class of vehicles, Audi provides a standard drivetrain warranty that lasts for four years and 50,000 miles. Four years of roadside support are also included for the A3. While it is a good benefit, several competitors also offer a few years of routine maintenance.

Although the A3 is among the most reasonably priced premium sedans, it doesn't feel or look that way. On the contrary, the A3 feels and looks almost as opulent as its larger Audi brothers. Inside and out, the A3 has a luxurious appearance and feel thanks to features like leather upholstery, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, and more.

Comfort

Although it tends to be on the firmer side, the A3 boasts a smooth and comfortable ride. Although there are faults and road bumps, the ride is never rough. The back bench is a little flat, the standard heated leather seats are supportive and comfy in both rows.

The three-zone standard climate control system does a great job of cooling the car swiftly and evenly. In cooler climates, heated seats are effective. On the dash, the climate control controls are arranged in a row, making it simple to use them while keeping your eyes on the road. We also like how rotary buttons are used by Audi.

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Interior

The buttons and stalks on the A3 are simple to see and use.There are fewer buttons and has transferred some controls to the touchscreen, similar to several of its competitors. Although the menu structure is effective, some settings are more deeply hidden than we'd like.


Even in the world of compact cars, the A3 is a rather small vehicle. However, there is more room than it might seem. 

Finding space up front shouldn't be a problem for even taller travelers. It doesn't take long to find a comfortable driving position thanks to the seats' extensive adjustability. Although there is enough room for adults to be comfortable on shorter excursions, rear passengers will be more cramped.

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Storage

In terms of both passenger volume and vehicle size, the A3 is among the smallest in its class. Although the Mercedes-Benz A-10.9 Class's cubic foot trunk is bigger, the A3 has fewer features than other premium compacts. A similar tale is offered by the front storage. Since the center console is compact, we value the sizeable door pockets and attractive phone holders in front of the cupholders. 

The area is high and broad, and the back seats can be folded flat to expand the interior even further. Focus more on the actual usable space than the figure itself. Although the little back seat may feel constricting, larger car seats ought to fit reasonably well. On the back and bottom of the seat, the anchors are simple to reach.

Dimensions

  • Length: 14.8 feet long.
  • Curb Weight: 3,329 to 3,538 pounds.

Technology

Audi's newest in-car technology, most of which we've seen on other models that have undergone redesigns, is featured in the A3. The navigation system is effective, and the instrument cluster may display a crisp map. It makes following step-by-step directions simple. Here, too, the optional head-up display is helpful because it projects navigational information onto the windshield. The optional Bang & Olufsen audio system in the A3 has a resonant sound that left us impressed. Each A3 is equipped with wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a wireless charging pad.


The majority of the driver assistance and safety systems that are offered for the A3 must be purchased as options. Unfortunately, you will receive more standard equipment like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring in a vehicle such as the Lexus IS 300. The good news is that in the A3 the driver aids operate smoothly and unobtrusively and are simple to activate.

  • Standard infotainment features: a 10.1-inch touch screen, satellite radio, USB ports, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Available infotainment features: navigation, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and wireless device charging
  • Additional standard features: a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster

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2021 vs. 2022 Audi A3 - The Difference

The revamped 2022 Audi A3 features a new powertrain range with more powerful A3, S3, and RS 3 versions, as well as enhanced styling on the interior and outside. The 2018 A3 sedan has additional standard features and slightly better gas consumption. These include wireless Apple CarPlay, a 10.1-inch touch screen, an upgraded digital gauge cluster, and lane departure warning.

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The most recent external styling of the A3 isn't all that different from the previous one, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's subtle but elegant. On the other hand, the inside is different from the one in the previous A3, but it's no less appealing and gives the car a noticeably more contemporary feel.

Due to a refined turbocharged engine and quick handling, the A3 is also a relatively enjoyable vehicle to drive. Although it's not the sportiest sedan on the road, you won't be bored with it. Although the base model is well-equipped, for the best value, we advise upgrading to the midlevel Premium Plus trim. It has all of the functionality of the base model plus many more customization choices.

Interested in checking out the vehicle? Check out our website carweek.com to see or search for the latest new cars near you. Explore New cars now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Audi A3 worth buying?

Ans: Yes, the Audi A3 is a quality vehicle. It boasts three turbocharged engines, two of which are in high-performance variants, and has nimble handling and a comfortable ride. The interior of the A3 is gorgeous and has many high-end materials. Additionally, it offers user-friendly technological elements and two rows of roomy seats.

Q. Is the Audi A3 Sportback available in the US?

Ans: Due to a generational transition, Audi USA will not release the A3 in the United States in 2021. But supporters of the A3 can relax knowing that the sedan will return to the lineup in 2022.

Q. How much will the 2022 Audi A3 cost?

Ans: The 2022 Audi A3 starts at $33,900. All-wheel drive adds $2,000. The sporty Audi S3 in Prestige trim begins at $51,500.

Q. Is owning an Audi expensive?

Ans: Yes, cars from Audi are expensive to maintain.