New sports sedan fun to drive
2022 Audi A3 is perfect antidote to a world filled with crossover SUVS
IF you’re shopping for a new vehicle, odds are it’s an SUV or pickup, not a sedan nor a sports car. Those last two categories are seeing their sales shrivel faster than American civility.
And yet these are the vehicles that provide the most pleasure, especially one with talents that cut across both the sedan and sports car categories, like the 2022 Audi A3. It’s a marvelous new sports sedan, far more fun to drive than any dull old crossover.
Of course, there are any number of sports sedans to choose from, including the BMW 2 Series, Lexus IS, Genesis G70, Cadillac CT4, Mercedes-benz A-class and Cla-class, Acura ILX and forthcoming Integra, among others. There are a number of compelling competitors in this group of entry-luxury compact sedans.
Does the Audi A3 hold its own? You bet.
The A3 is Audi’s smallest sedan in the U.S. market, but for 2022, it now offers much of the technology now available on the larger A4 and A6 sedans, and now shares its sibling’s style as well. For 2022, the A3 has also grown 1.4 inches longer, 0.8 inches wider and 0.5 inches taller. It
now wears a taut, sporty look, with aggressive hood sculpting, sharper side shapes, a large assertive grille and available matrix-design LED headlights.
An optional Black Optics Package adds the requisite murdered out styling touches, should you require them. Certainly, the test vehicle has the look of a great sports sedan.
The front-wheel-drive 2022 A3 is in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim. Quattro all-wheel drive
is a $2,000 option. It’s offered as a hatchback in some markets.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged aluminum-alloy double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and rated at 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Audi offers a more powerful version of the same driveline in the A3’s sportier variant, the S3, rated at 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Most drivers will find the A3 a satisfying option, particularly since the S3 will cost at least an extra 10 grand. Besides, fuel economy is quite good, with the EPA estimating 29 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined. Yet it doesn’t come at the expense of performance. This is still a speedy sled; reaching 60 mph from a stop takes 6.6 seconds with front-wheel drive, 6.3 seconds with Quattro.
On a drive through the Colorado mountains, the A3 offered strong acceleration, stronger than its number suggest. The dual-clutch transmission is controlled by a toggle switch in the center console, along with paddle shifters on the steering wheel that provide manual shifting. Should you indulge, you’ll find its performance to be lightning-quick, although transmission performance is excellent even when left to its own devices.
The car is well balanced and responsively sharp with well-controlled body motions and strong brakes. Its performance lends drivers a feeling of confidence. But the A3 is still a sports sedan, something you’ll be reminded of when traversing rough pavement. That said, the ride is never harsh.
If you’re looking for a lot of standard driver-assistance safety systems on your A3, few items come
standard. All models have Audi Pre Sense, high beam assist, lane departure warning and a rearview camera. But other features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning, lane guidance and parking assist are optional.
The A3’s cabin is a paragon of modern refinement, with an angular design to the instrument panel that’s interesting and contemporary. A 10.1-inch infotainment touch screen and a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard. The latter can be configured to display a large map or various bits of information.
Buyers can also opt for a larger 12.3-inch center screen. A power panoramic sunroof, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats,
LED vanity mirrors, split-folding 40/20/40 rear seatbacks, and a rearview camera are standard.
As you’d expect, front-seat legroom is good, but rear-seat legroom is dependent on the kindness of front-seat occupants. While comfort and support are exemplary, the driver’s right leg rests against the hard center console, which would benefit from padding.
Nonetheless, the 2022 Audi A3 is a good deal in an increasingly pricey car market. Landing a luxury compact sedan for less than $35,000 is a relative bargain when you consider that a fully loaded mainstream sedan
such as a Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima or Honda Accord can cost as much and not deliver Audi’s fun
factor.
That’s why you’ll find the 2022 Audi A3 to be A-OK.