Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
2022 Audi A3 perfect antidote to world filled with crossover SUVs
DENVER — 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 2022 Audi A3. It’s a marvelous new sports sedan, far more fun to drive than any dull old crossover.
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 technology now available on the larger A4 and A6 sedans, and now shares its sibling’s style as well. 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 murderedout 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. Sold here exclusively as a sedan, it’s offered as a hatchback in other markets.
On a drive through the Colorado mountains, the A3 offered strong acceleration. 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.
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.
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. A power panoramic sunroof, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, LED vanity mirrors, split-folding 40/20/40 rear seat backs, and a rearview camera are standard.
The 2022 Audi A3 is a good deal in an increasingly pricey car market. Landing a luxury compact sedan for less than $35k is a relative bargain when you consider that a fully loaded mainstream sedan can cost as much and not deliver the Audi’s fun factor.
That’s why you’ll find the 2022 Audi A3 to be A-OK.