Audi A3 Sedan

The refreshingly modern vibe of the car’s exterior is seamlessly carried over to the cabin, which uses high-quality materials including soft-touch plastics, faux leather, and aluminum. You will first catch glimpse of it on the dashboard with its sleek lines, angular edges, and upgraded tech.

Behind the leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel is a digital instrument cluster which Audi refers to as a Virtual Cockpit. You can upgrade the 12.3-inch screen to display navigation, or you can opt for an optional head-up display that shows additional car information.

At the center, the dashboard is Audi’s MMI infotainment. It’s a wide 7-inch screen that supports USB, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. The system comes with 10 speakers, but can be upgraded to a 14-speaker setup from Bang & Olufsen.

Its five seats are nicely cushioned and covered in leather. Unfortunately, their actual comfort levels depend on where you’re seated. Rear passengers may have difficulty getting in and struggle with limited legroom and headroom.

Storage is equally problematic on this small sedan. You get no more than a glove box, center console bin, and small door pockets for keeping small items. The trunk only has room for 425 liters of cargo or about two small luggage bags.

Measuring 4,500 mm long, 1,430 mm tall, and 1,820 mm wide, the new Audi A3 Sedan is longer, taller, and wider than the outgoing model. Much like the Audi A3 Sportsback, it rides on the latest MQB Platform from Volkswagen.

Both feature the same bulging wheel arches and prominent character lines on the hood and along the sides of the vehicle. The two also share a massive, hexagonal honeycomb grille framed by Matrix LED headlights and matching hexagon-shaped vents. Its curved roofline and six-window setup are inspired by the Audi A6. The jagged taillights are from the facelifted Audi A4.

Thanks to its large dimensions, sharp angles, and bulky exterior, the sedan’s latest generation has an intimidating look. In spite of its newfound bravado, it continues to exude class and elegance.

The Audi A3 Sedan starts out smoothly and builds speed at a fast but steady pace. Suspensions are on the soft side, effectively absorbing shock from potholes and bumps.

Steering is light at low speeds and becomes weightier as you go faster. This allows you to park in tight spaces and tackle high-speed corners with ease. Vibration and noise are kept to a minimum, and will only start to show once you get to higher speeds.

Audi is offering their entry-level sedan as a front-wheel-drive with two engine options. The first is a 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine with 147 hp and 250 Nm torque. It sends power via a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; with the latter being a mild hybrid. 

Alternatively, you can opt for the 2.0L turbocharged engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It produces as much power as the gas engine, but with a torquier 350 Nm.

Both engines are economic and have a combined fuel efficiency ranging from 14 to 28 kmpl.

The subcompact sedan is equipped with a variety of driver-assist features for added safety. Some of which include autonomous emergency brakes, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and a panoramic 360-degree camera.

The built-in Car-to-X system allows it to communicate with vehicles that have the same system and are within its range. It’s supposed to help the driver be aware of road conditions ahead.

Audi A3 Sedan may seem like an odd addition to the brand’s lineup. But it will make sense if you’re looking into a smaller sedan, a lower-priced alternative to the Audi A4, or perhaps a more practical daily driver than a tiny hatchback.