The Audi A3 hasn't been a smash hit in the U.S. through the 2013 model year. mainly because until now it's only been available in hatchback form. Now we have a new family of A3s geared more toward American tastes. Does the new A3 lineup have the right stuff, and can it fend off the sexy Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
This time around the A3 is going to be available in a few different body styles: sedan, hatchback, and convertible. The sedan should be the most popular model. The shape is quintessentially Audi with a large grille up front, rounded front end, gentle roll of a roofline, and a stubby trunk.
Inside the A3 ventures into new design territory for Audi. There are actually some VW roots showing here with the horizontal dashboard. We like the round vents and trio of small climate control knobs. There’s an LCD display that rises from the dash which is a uniquely German solution for infotainment.
Let’s be clear, this is a small car, but this interior is larger than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Up front comfort is adequate in the seats, but they aren’t as supportive as Audi’s larger models. The lower seat cushion is surprisingly short, even with the optional sport seats. It's not what we expected in a European car.
Overall fit and finish is acceptable but the refinement is meeting the minimum one might expect in a premium-brand small car.
Back in the rear seat you’ll find decent space if you don’t have a very tall driver up front. Headroom is on the tight side for anyone 5’10” and above.
The A3 arrives in the U.S. in two forms: front-wheel-drive 1.8T models with 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, or our test car which was a 2.0T quattro—meaning all-wheel-drive—model with 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are turbocharged, direct-injected in-line fours connected to Audi’s dual-clutch transmission.
Need more power? There’s the S3 with that 2.0-liter turbo engine rated at 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.
In case you missed it, no manual transmission is available in any A3 model at the moment. Sorry America.
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