2022 AUDI A3 TEST DRIVE

2022 AUDI A3 TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES

2022 Audi A3 40 TFSI quattro

Last year Audi sold nearly 3 times as many SUVs as it did cars despite a lineup of coupes, sedans and sport models that come in every size and flavor.  So it’s fair to question the relevance of this redesigned gas-fueled subcompact sedan in a market dominated by SUVs and burgeoning EVs.  But if you still appreciate a sporty, German-engineered, turbocharged ride this new A3 has got your back.       

 

 

So you want an Audi but your bank account is borderline.  Well, meet the A3.  With starting MSRP of $35,895 it’s one of only 2 Audis priced at under $40,000.  The other is this car’s SUV counterpart, the Q3 which outsells the sedan nearly 5 to 1.  So why choose this? 

 

 

Well, it’s a little cheaper than the Q3, its new mild-hybrid powertrain is significantly more fuel efficient and it’s quicker making for a sportier drive.  But with a trunk instead of a hatch it has less than half of the standard cargo volume even though the A3’s backside gets a little bigger this year. 

 

 

The A3 is now a tad longer, wider and taller than before, 66 pounds heavier and slower to 60mph by a half a second, clocking in now at 6.3 seconds.  But before you roll your eyes you should know that this 48-volt electrical system provides eboost upon takeoff and fills the 2.0-liter turbo with additional low-end torque so the immediacy to go is still there; impressively so for an engine alone that now makes only 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. 

 

The big benefit of this electrical assistance though is of course gas mileage which rises from 25mpg to 31mpg in combined driving and all the way to 36mpg on the highway.  Regular gas?  No problem.  This also increases the driving range from 330 miles to 450 miles. 

 

 

And this car is so comfortable up front  and quiet that long highway cruising is most certainly in play.  I say front because the A3’s rear seats aren’t nearly as accommodating, this is a subcompact after all. 

 

 

 

You can fit 2 back here and it’ll be OK but 3 across is definitely a no.  If it’s all out performance you crave remember the S3 and RS3 are here to fill those needs.  But this A3 – with quattro all-wheel drive, the 4-cylinder turbo, 7-speed dual clutch transmission and Drive Select is the perfect blend of silky smooth sedan and frugal fun.  

 

 

No one tunes a suspension quite like the Volkswagen Group.  It’s a hallmark characteristic of their mainstream cars so easily identifiable that I swear if you dropped me into this seat blindfolded I’d know it was one of theirs. 

 

 

 

The sumptuousness combined with the road feel hits that proverbial sweet spot every time for an even better than European-tuned ride.  And then with the added shot of adrenaline from the new electrical system it’s hard to believe the humble specs of this engine but man, step on it and it goes almost like an EV…it’s that quick.  It’s also a very gracious highway cruiser that’s quiet well beyond its price point and as fuel efficient as an economy car.      

 

My only disappointment with the drive is the in the braking – whether it’s the regenerative nature of it as it harvests energy for the small hybrid battery or something else – the pedal feel is poor, sometimes causing panic braking to get the A3 to stop in time. 

 

 

Front-wheel drive is available across the 3 trim lines but this car is the middle Premium Plus trim with quattro but optioned so heavily that it might as well be a Prestige. 

 

 

 

These upsized 18” wheels, Interior style package and Technology package have all been added leading to an MSRP of $45,390. 

 

 

 

Do you like this Santos Brown/Steel Gray interior?  I’m not sure that I do but it’s new this year.  And of course the A3 receives Audi’s latest tech and with this optional package you get the bigger more robust Virtual Cockpit Plus – just look at the Google Earth mapping and highly configurable nature of this screen.  All very cool. 

 

 

The steering wheel controls make getting around here quite easy.  And in the middle is the touchscreen with handwriting recognition – packed with features like wireless phone connections, easy to use and angled towards the driver.  The only missing perks are a head-up display and 360 degree camera…both reserved for the Prestige.  The 15 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is a sweet upgrade but you may not like this new rotary touch controller for volume, search, mute and power…take some getting used to for sure.  I do have a bone to pick with one of the driver assistance features: Adaptive Cruise Assist which maintains speed, distance and keeps the car centered can only be set in 2 ½ MPH increments.  I don’t’ recall ever seeing this before and it’s ridiculous.

  Otherwise this A3 is giving up all of the goodies for an entry-level model: Parallel and perpendicular park assist, vibrant ambient lighting choices, a wireless charge pad, garage door opener and power folding mirrors.

 

 

 

Now I wouldn’t call this a Panoramic Sunroof – though Audi does – but still it lets some welcome light in to this otherwise dark, monotone interior.  You sit low in this car but the driver’s seat and position is typical VW Group excellence and there’s a height-adjustable passenger seat as well.         

 

 

The cabriolet, diesel and Sportback are no longer but the A3, in this handsome Manhattan Gray paint and bi-color wheels, looks sharp and drives great.  Go for one optioned like this and it’ll also give you a foray into the big Audi sedan life.  But are people still paying attention?  Only time and sales will tell.   

 

 

 

2022 AUDI A3 TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES  |  TESTDRIVENOW 2022(c)