WASHINGTON — When I look at the Audi A3, I can’t help but be transported to the late 1990s, when the Audi A4 hit the streets with slick styling in a smaller package and didn’t look like an entry-level model. History seems to be repeating itself in 2016.
The Audi A3 2.0T Quattro I drove this time around wasn’t as fast or high-strung as the Audi S3 I drove last year, but it still has plenty of pep. The 2.0 turbo engine makes 220 hp, and the 6-speed S tronic transmission makes quick shifts and can be driven normally without any complaints.
The drive is very smooth but you can’t escape some bumps thanks to the optional 19-inch wheels. I recommend test-driving a model with smaller wheels to see whether you can feel the difference. I noticed light steering at lower speeds. It takes a few minutes to get used to. Once the speed builds a bit, the steering has a nice feel. With the Quattro system, grip is abundant; it’s a good-handling little car. I had fun driving it on back roads, yet it was quiet enough on the highway and the commute to be a solid all-around car. The mileage was 25.8 mpg on regular gas in my 194 miles, which was a bit less than the stated 27 mpg of mixed driving.
The interior doesn’t seem entry-level either. With the sport package, the front sport seats fit well and are supportive, and the leather is a nice quality. Back seat room is tighter; there isn’t a lot of rear leg room. The trunk isn’t really big either, but it passed the stroller test; just don’t try to put one of those dual-seat behemoth models in.
It’s still cheaper than many, with a starting price of around $34,000, but the price climbs quickly with options. My model ran 46,150. The Prestige model adds $8,850, a big chunk of the money in options.
This helps with the luxury factor though and includes heated and power controls for the sport seats and the MMI NAV with voice controls and MMI Touch. That is the main controller knob that allows you to write an address with your finger on top of the knob or control other functions. It’s a nice system.
You also get the upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system which has a better sound than the base system; I just wish you could have regular USB ports and not the special cable from Audi. You also get some safety features, such as side assist, active lane assist and an adaptive cruise control that will stop and go again when traffic clears.
The A3 looks sharp with the S line exterior package, which adds some sport to the look with aggressive lower side body moldings. Those optional 19-inch wheels look good on this car. The styling of the A3 gives the presence of a more expensive car, and that’s not something I can say about all the entry-level luxury sedans. The rear-end styling isn’t as aggressive as the rest of the car, but it’s still a handsome look, thanks to the interesting taillight design.
The Audi A3 2.0T Quattro is an interesting take on the entry level luxury sedan with a premium look and feel. It’s a strong contender for getting younger buyers into the showroom. If you can go easy on the options list, you can find a nicely priced first luxury car without making too many compromises.
