If you don’t mind the stiff suspension, though, go for the S Line package because it also adds sportier front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler, which make the A3 look a little meaner. By the way, you can’t get the quattro all-wheel drive system with the TDI model.
Inside, you’re greeted by a quality-crafted cockpit, with chrome trimmings scattered about and solid-feeling switchgear. The seats are sculpted to hold you in place, and that leather has a distinct smell that makes it feel even more upscale.
The optional Symphony sound system with 6-CD changer and SIRIUS satellite radio works well, offering a quality sound output, but doesn’t come cheap. Oh, and those spring-loaded rotary dials to adjust the climate control temperature are irritating; why can’t they just turn 360 degrees like the way it’s supposed to be?
The cabin’s tight, though, and that’s a bit of a mystery for us. The A3 is virtually the same size inside as a Golf 5-door, but it feels cramped; there seems to be a lot less rear-seat legroom than in the Golf that shares the same platform. Good thing the Open Sky sunroof lightens up the cabin, as it helps tone down the impression of smallness.
Cargo space, on the other hand, isn’t bad for a car this size. The A3 can hold 552 litres of stuff with the rear bench seat in place, and 1,104 litres with the seatback folded. Still, a Golf 5-door, a Mercedes-Benz B-Class as well as the upcoming Acura TSX Sport Wagon all boast slightly higher maximum cargo space numbers, and a Volvo V50 is way more spacious in back.
Base price for the A3 TDI is $35,300, while the Premium trim goes for $38,000 and adds comfort and convenience items such as the aforementioned sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, a power driver’s seat and ambiance lighting.
 |
| The optional Symphony sound system with 6-CD changer and SIRIUS satellite radio works well, offering a quality sound output. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Inside, you’re greeted by a quality-crafted cockpit, with chrome trimmings scattered about and solid-feeling switchgear. The seats are sculpted to hold you in place, and that leather has a distinct smell that makes it feel even more upscale.
The optional Symphony sound system with 6-CD changer and SIRIUS satellite radio works well, offering a quality sound output, but doesn’t come cheap. Oh, and those spring-loaded rotary dials to adjust the climate control temperature are irritating; why can’t they just turn 360 degrees like the way it’s supposed to be?
The cabin’s tight, though, and that’s a bit of a mystery for us. The A3 is virtually the same size inside as a Golf 5-door, but it feels cramped; there seems to be a lot less rear-seat legroom than in the Golf that shares the same platform. Good thing the Open Sky sunroof lightens up the cabin, as it helps tone down the impression of smallness.
Cargo space, on the other hand, isn’t bad for a car this size. The A3 can hold 552 litres of stuff with the rear bench seat in place, and 1,104 litres with the seatback folded. Still, a Golf 5-door, a Mercedes-Benz B-Class as well as the upcoming Acura TSX Sport Wagon all boast slightly higher maximum cargo space numbers, and a Volvo V50 is way more spacious in back.
Base price for the A3 TDI is $35,300, while the Premium trim goes for $38,000 and adds comfort and convenience items such as the aforementioned sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, a power driver’s seat and ambiance lighting.
 |
| The A3 can hold 552 litres of stuff with the rear bench seat in place. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |