You will have seen there’s a facelifted model of the Audi A3 coming to Australia by the tip of this yr.

However what in case you want a automotive sooner, and also you’ve noticed an A3 Sedan that you simply just like the look of? Must you go for the present mannequin, or look ahead to the brand new one?

On this evaluation I’ll cowl off the present Audi A3, particularly this base 35 TFSI sedan, and also you’ll see why it nonetheless stacks up nicely – and why you would possibly not likely must pay extra for a better grade.

How does the Audi A3 examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Audi A3 towards equally sized autos.

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A3

How a lot does the Audi A3 value?

Rising prices are a relentless in as we speak’s market, and the Audi A3 vary isn’t immune from will increase to record pricing.

2024 Audi A3 pricing:

• 2024 Audi A3 35 TFSI Sportback: $50,600
• 2024 Audi A3 35 TFSI Sedan: $53,100
• 2024 Audi A3 40 TFSI S line quattro Sportback: $57,700
• 2024 Audi A3 40 TFSI S line quattro Sedan: $60,200

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the A3 compares with its rivals, use our comparability software.

What’s the Audi A3 like on the within?

I’m an enormous fan of the design of the cabin within the current-generation A3 lineup, because it blends the Teutonic expectation of subtlety in model with glorious performance.

From the polished silver-look finishes throughout the dashboard to the angular design components, and the colorful and easy-to-use screens on this automotive, it exudes an easy classiness but in addition understated opulence.

You may learn between the strains there, nevertheless it’s actually not as flashy as a few of its opponents on this section, and to me, that’s to its profit.

The ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is simple to get your head round with intuitive menus. It has wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and I had no points with connecting and reconnecting my telephone throughout my time within the automotive. 

Maybe the one draw back about that display screen is there aren’t any bodily buttons down the aspect, nor are there dials for quantity management or tuning. However there’s a small rotary wheel-style dial down close to the gear selector, which takes a little bit little bit of studying and isn’t for individuals who would possibly want to make use of a dialling wand (shoutout to all of the OG Simpsons followers).

There’s a transparent and easy array of local weather management buttons for easy changes. If it’s essential shortly flip up the fan velocity or down the temperature, there are buttons for that. There are additionally heated seat controls as buttons too, however these are optioned right here – you don’t get them commonplace.

The ten.5-inch driver’s information display screen is intuitive and crisp. There’s no head-up show, however you’ll be able to configure the principle show to indicate your velocity clearly.

Storage within the cabin is superb, with respectable bottle holders within the doorways (sadly not lined, although), cupholders between the entrance seats, a wi-fi telephone charging dock, and also you’ll additionally discover two USB ports in that very same space. There’s a small centre console bin beneath the armrest.

One factor that’s peculiar is the motive force’s footwell has one thing in the best way. There’s a black field intruding from beneath the seat, and in case you’re somebody who likes to stretch their legs or transfer their ft round on longer journeys, you would possibly discover that it’s a little bit squishy within the driver’s foot zone. I’ve requested Audi what it’s – will replace if I hear again!

This automotive additionally has an elective opening glass sunroof and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror – consider it or not, that’s not commonplace.

There’s leather-based seat trim and the seats are snug, however they’re not as supportive as in case you have been to step as much as the following mannequin up, which will get sports activities entrance seats.

With the motive force’s seat set for my place (at 182cm/6’0”) my knees have been touching the onerous plastic-backed seat forward of me, however I had an honest quantity of toe room, and my head was simply brushing the liner as nicely.

So in case you have a household of six-footers, this received’t be the perfect car in your wants – any tall or occupants would possibly want to observe their head getting out and in of the backseat. For those who simply have some children nevertheless, or in case you don’t have youngsters, it could possibly be completely positive in your wants.

There’s no storage on the seatbacks, and there’s additionally no charging choices for second-row riders both. However you do get bottle holders within the doorways and a flip down armrest with cupholders. You can too fold the centre a part of the seat right down to act as a ski-port.

There are ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three high tethers as nicely, in addition to directional air vents – a win for all back-seat bandits.

The boot area is beneficiant for the dimensions of automotive, with 425 litres of capability for this spec (the higher-grade A3 Sedan 40 TFSI quattro has much less area). It’s a deep cargo space, however whereas there are some eyelets, there aren’t any nets or pockets on both aspect.

Surprisingly, there’s additionally no space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot ground, even if there may be area for one. You simply get a tyre restore package.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

I’m focusing primarily on the Audi A3 35 TFSI right here, and it comes powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system producing whole outputs of 110kW of energy (5000-6000rpm) and 250Nm of torque (1500-3500rpm).

It has a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automated transmission, and is front-wheel drive. Audi claims the A3 35 TFSI can do the 0-100km/h dash in 8.4 seconds.

For those who want extra grunt and all-wheel drive, there are three selections at increased costs that may get you that within the A3/S3/RS3 lineup. However except you’re an fanatic, you won’t really must spend up.

The official mixed cycle gasoline consumption determine for the A3 35 TFSI sedan is simply 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. I didn’t fairly obtain that in my testing, however a displayed return of 5.9L/100km nonetheless impressed me throughout a mixture of totally different driving conditions.

There’s a 50-litre gasoline tank, and it wants 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

How does the Audi A3 drive?

I don’t actually assume that most individuals will want extra grunt than what’s on supply within the 35 TFSI mannequin.

There’s ample energy and torque from this 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, and the torque is the true candy level with it. There’s a very good quantity of urge from a standstill that pushes you away from a line with assertiveness, moderately than screaming at you to try to get the job finished.

Nonetheless, the entrance tyres will be overwhelmed by the torque at instances, and tyre squeal is one thing you’ll expertise in several situations – and never simply within the moist.

If you take off from a standstill and turning a nook it’s one thing you would possibly encounter. That wouldn’t essentially be sufficient of a priority for me to say ‘it’s essential purchase the quattro model as an alternative!’… except you’re a leadfoot, then it may be the smarter alternative.

What can be spectacular is the best way the 48-volt mild-hybrid know-how has been built-in into this automotive, the place it primarily works to help in visitors conditions – the place the engine start-stop know-how does its factor.

In these conditions, it helps smoothen issues out once you’re getting away from the standstill – far smoother than in years passed by the place a dual-clutch automated and downsized turbo engine would have felt a little bit bit sluggish or laggy. 

It does get away fairly shortly – as fast as a traditional auto transmission would – and the gearshifts are snappy as you progress up the rev vary as nicely.

I’ve observed, although, that this automotive does generally tend to engine brake excessively, and in these conditions, the revs can rise to less-than-luxurious ranges for an extended durations of time – it sounds such as you’re revving the center out of the automotive when it’s simply attempting to gradual you down through the use of the engine exhaust braking.

It’s an effectivity factor, and the automotive additionally has cylinder-on-demand tech, which might run it on two cylinders as an alternative of 4 in light-throttle or coasting conditions. It’ll additionally coast, the place the revs will drop to idle velocity once you elevate off. 

The journey consolation is exceptionally good. You by no means really feel such as you’re getting bumped round or jostled in your seat on this automotive, even over wretched surfaces on again suburban streets and lumpy bumpy high-speed roads.

Even over sharp edges, the automotive maintains a stage of poise, and actually, it feels very properly tied down and handles corners superbly. All with out all-wheel drive.

The steering has a pleasant heft to it on centre and whereas it isn’t the final phrase in driver involvement, it’s completely suited to this form of utility when it comes to the responsiveness, and likewise the enjoyable think about corners. Sure it’s enjoyable sufficient, I’d say, nevertheless it additionally nails the transient for parking duties as a result of it’s not too heavy and really straightforward to govern.

Maybe the most important query mark over this automotive is the refinement ranges – the noise intrusion actually could possibly be lessened. 

There may be notable engine noise emanating into the cabin in combined situations, and whereas the noise isn’t annoying it simply isn’t fairly as hushed as you would possibly anticipate for a luxurious automotive. Likewise there may be loud tyre roar on rougher surfaces like coarse-chip roads, which makes up the vast majority of Australian open highway driving conditions. 

So my recommendation is to be sure to check it within the situations through which you’ll be driving it earlier than you signal a sale contract.

What do you get?

I at all times like to contemplate what you get in a base mannequin like this, and what you’d get in case you might justify including a bit to your repayments… like, is it price sacrificing a take-away espresso or two a day to rise up to the following stage.

A3 35 TFSI highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Rain-sensing window wipers
• Arms-free energy boot lid (Sedan)
• 10.5-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired, wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• 6-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Rear USB-C ports
• Keyless entry and begin
• Paddle shifters
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-based upholstery

A3 40 TFSI quattro provides:

• All-wheel drive
• S line exterior bundle
• Heated, power-folding aspect mirrors
• Selectable drive modes
• Inside ambient lighting
• Frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Entrance sport seats

Is the Audi A3 protected?

Solely the front-wheel drive variations of the Audi A3 have a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on Euro NCAP testing performed in 2020.

In that testing it obtained an grownup occupant safety rating of 89 per cent, baby occupant safety rating of 81 per cent, susceptible highway person safety rating of 68 per cent, and a security help rating of 73 per cent.

Normal security tools consists of:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Audi pre-sense fundamental
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Protected exit warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Energetic lane help
• Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
• Semi-autonomous parking help
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance, rear parking sensors

A surround-view digicam is out there, however not commonplace, throughout the lineup. You do get it commonplace on the flagship RS3, although. Seven airbags are fitted – twin entrance, entrance aspect, entrance centre, and full-length curtains.

How a lot does the Audi A3 value to run?

The Audi A3 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever happens first.

Audi provides a five-year service pay as you go plan, and for this grade it prices $2520, or a median of $404 per yr for upkeep. That’s not dangerous, contemplating a 2.0L petrol Kia Cerato is costlier over a five-year interval ($406 per yr!).

For those who service with Audi, you additionally get your roadside help topped up every time.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi A3

The Audi A3 has a decrease buy-in value, however wants some choices to make it really feel a bit extra particular.

Even so, I feel for lower than $60,000 earlier than on-road prices, an optioned-up A3 35 TFSI Sedan like this one makes a robust argument for individuals who wish to get into one thing trendy and sensible wanting.

Whether or not it’s price leaping now or ready for the refreshed mannequin? Effectively personally, I feel I just like the look of the present yet one more… however you inform me your ideas within the feedback part.

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