Audi is a car manufacturer that has made a lot of great models over the years. Whether it is from their standard 'A' range, or sporty 'S' line of cars, there are many examples of memorable models from the German automaker. That is even before we get to the mighty RS models from Audi Sport. All that aside, a car in its current range that has us excited is the A3 Sportback. The small hatchback made its debut in 1996 and has since been quite popular around the world, and is now in its fourth-generation.
The Audi A3 in its standard form or its sportier avatars like the S3 and RS3 models are considered some of the best hatchbacks money can buy in the modern era. The A3 range appeals to many kinds of people, which is why it flies off the showroom floors.
The Audi A3 Sportback in its standard guise is quite a tame-looking hatchback. While there are many premium or luxury hatchbacks on the market, they seem to fall short in front of the Audi A3. Here's why.
Update May 2022: This article was updated with more information about the Audi A3 Sportback.
The Audi A3 Stands Out From The Crowd
The Audi A3 Sportback is one of the most premium hatchbacks on the market. When it comes to value, the latest line of Audi seems to deliver better than rivals. Some Audi's can be affordable, while some are expensive, but the bottom line is the value offering. It is one of the reasons why they are so popular.
The A3 stands out among the rest, thanks to its sporty styling, and dynamic interior. The chiseled look of the car offers an imposing presence on the road, even though it is a small hatchback. The aggressive styling with the signature Audi touches, assures other road users that you are driving something cool and interesting. The LED headlights are bright and look very cool, while the rear styling with the sharp creases makes the A3 look, oh so, good.
The interior is pretty cool and very modern. It features the massive customary touch screen with Audi's MMI interface. The driver gets a digital gauge cluster which Audi calls the "Virtual Cockpit". The dash is lined in soft-touch materials while the seats are draped in sumptuous leather, and smooth metallic touches can be found on certain trim panels. Audi's are often luxury cars, yet the latest A3 takes it a step further with futuristic textures and technology. The interior is spacious and offers an acceptable amount of comfort for a car in its range.
Being German-built, one can guarantee that the engineers meticulously thought of everything when developing the A3. The Audi A3 Sportback offers great refinement and is a joy to drive. It is also quite versatile for a car that is designed to be budget-friendly.
The Audi A3 Has Something For Everyone
The A3 Sportback may only be a hatchback, but Audi also offers this car as a sedan. Additionally, it comes with different powertrain options that not only include petrol and diesel engines, but there are hybrids, mild-hybrids, and even one that runs on compressed natural gas options.
There may be a frugal 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine for the A3. But the more popular motor is the 1.5-liter 35 TFSI petrol engine that makes 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Audi claims that this version will do 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 140mph. The slick-shifting seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox ensures the driver is in the correct gear at the correct time, so you're never anticipating acceleration when you floor the throttle.
The A3 Is Very Practical
Most hatchbacks look to offer a compact package, largely with front occupants in mind, offering an acceptable amount of luggage space in the trunk. Audi has compromised very little with the A3 offering a large 13.4 cubic feet of trunk place, while the rear seats still offer some decent room for passengers, even for long journeys.
All of this has been packaged into a car with dimensions that measure 14.2 feet in length, 6 feet wide, and 4.8 feet tall. That is some serious packaging and engineering.
The A3 Is Inherently A Hot Hatch
Hot hatchbacks are something everyone loves. The idea of turning an everyday runabout into a performance car started a revolution and since then we have countless examples of great hot hatches in the market. In standard guise, the A3 is modestly powerful with 150 hp on tap. However, an S3 adds some mechanical updates to the car, along with a more potent 2.0-liter, turbocharged motor that makes 306hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
If that is not enough, there is an even more aggressive RS3 model. This one comes with a unique 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 400hp! It is stiffer, tauter, and much faster than the standard A3 model. Some even claim that with its all-wheel-drive and impressive driving dynamics, it is a spiritual successor to the iconic Audi Quattro which was a homologation special model built to allow Audi to go rallying and then dominate the Group B category.
While a hot hatch is one of the most accessible performance cars money can buy, people can use them daily on the road. The US market however, is not a huge fan of them for the most part. In North America, the United States, in particular, Audi only offers the A3, S3, and RS3 models in their sedan form. The base version of the A3 sedan starts from $34,800. Spec this one up to the max, and you would be parting with over $44,000. The S3 sedan starts at $45,000 for the basic version and up to $52,400 with all the bells and whistles.
The Aud A3 range as a whole offers a practical vehicle for a small family. But also manages to excite the driver irrespective of which model they drive. An equivalent Mercedes-Benz may offer the best comfort in its class, and a BMW focuses more on the driving experience. However, it's the Audi that manages to offer a balance of both. It is the perfect all-rounder premium hatchback. While the A3 Sportback is forbidden fruit for the US, the sedan does everything just as well.
Source: Audi