Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
2015 Audi A3 has a grip on the compeition
When the folks at Audi set out to redesign the A3 for 2015, they apparently decided to think outside the box _ make that outside the hatch. They turned the dang thing i nto a sedan.
Smart move, though, i n the ever- competitive entry l uxury- sedan segment. And, i f you’re already whining, relax: A sportback and cabrio are coming your way i n this production year. So are a diesel and hybrid version.
The new A3 i s small _ think of i t as the l i ttle brother of the A4, shorter and l ess expensive. Beware, some may even call i t cute. Backseat riders may not find i t so cute once they squeeze back there, though.
I like i ts l ooks and i ts future, but there is a slew of entries ready to take i t on: think BMW’s 2- Series and 320i, Acura ILX, Volvo S60, even the Buick Regal T and Verano. But, perhaps, Audi most clearly has i ts sights on Mercedes’ new 2014 CLA.
There is l ots of chatter on the forums between the Z3 and CLA folks. One guy called the A3 an ugly troll. Another conceded the A3 i s “nice,” but said the CLA i s “way sexier.”
Here’s what i t comes down to: The A3 may not be the sexiest kid on the block, but it is one of my top choices among this bunch when i t comes to pure performance _ and i t’s the only way to go if you want the grip that the Quattro all- wheel drive affords.
Punch i t and feel the A3’s turbocharged quickness right from the get- go. Especially from the bigger 2.0- l i ter engine, which zips to 60 mph i n 5.8 seconds. Getting i t there is a herd of 220 ponies and 258 pound- feet of torque.
Standard on the front- wheel- drive A3 is a 1.8- liter engine that gets 170 hp and 200 pound- feet of torque, and gets to 60 i n 7.2 seconds.
Here’s what you gotta l ove: Both get around the same fuel economy _ 27 mpg combined. Even crazier, EPA’s city rating for the 2.0 is actually one mpg higher at 24. Not sure how they did that but i t’s one more argument to step up to the 2.0.
The A3 is a compact and feels like i t on the road _ but in a good way, l i ke agility, cornering and parking.
The ride i s firm enough for good road feel, but comfortable for commutes and even not bad on l onger trips.
Changing gears i s done smoothly and without indecision; a 6- speed dual- clutch transmission i s standard on all models.
Inside the A3 has a surprisingly simple l ook, as Audi l eft out the flashy wood or aluminum trim here. But it i s clean and sophisticated and materials are top notch from top to bottom.
Audi’s popular MMI display rises and sets i nto the top of the dash and i t’s standard with every one. If you opt for navigation, you get a bigger screen and a touchpad that l ets you write with your finger to enter a destination. Very cool.
Seats are on the firm side but not uncomfortably so. As aforementioned, the back row is a squeeze to get i nto and get comfortable. You won’t bang your head, but better take your time.
Under the short trunk lid, trunk space i s tight at 12.3 cubic feet _ and only 10 i f you get the AWD Quattro.
Disappointing up front is that there i s no push-button start option. Also, my wife and I found the center- console cupholder in an awkward spot _ right i n front of the shifter. Forget larger cups there, too.
A 10- speaker audio system i s standard, but available i s the magnificent 14- speaker, 705- watt Bang & Olufsen unit. Worth the extra money.
A3 comes with all the usual safety goodies, l i ke ABS stability and traction control and a full complement of air bags ( rear air bags are optional). A Driver Assistance package adds front and rear sensors, blind- spot warning, rear- view camera and even an automated parki ng system.
And, an Advance Technology package gets you l ane- departure and frontal- collision warning plus front- collision mitigation _ the car will apply the brakes i tself.
The five- seat A3 comes in j ust one trim _ called the Premium _ but you can option up with the Premium Plus and Prestige packages, which i nclude many of the features mentioned here.
All versions get a panoramic sunroof. And a separate Sport package gets sport seats up front, shift paddles on the steering wheel and variable drive settings.
This l i ttle sedan has i ts work cut out for i t: The competition is brutal i n this segment, starting with that handsome CLA from Mercedes. But the A3 has the spunk and performance to duke i t out with any i n the bunch.
“The A3 may not be the sexiest kid on the block, but it is one of my top choices among this bunch when it
comes to pure performance...”