A sports car for the family, if ever there was
Audi's hot little TT too small for the family? Don't blow a gasket. The A3 embodies much of the TT's soul in its low-slung 5-door hatchback architecture.
This is no wagon
Audi wants us to interpret the five-passenger A3 as a hatchback coupe, not a wagon. Despite such sleight of hand, I mostly see wagon; but what a beauty it is, wagon or not. Almost arrogantly, the A3 wears Audi's new grille and nose design, mimicking the more expensive models in this automaker's prestigious lineup. I like the attitude exhibited by the A3's clean, aggressive lines and flared wheel wells.
The A3 clearly distinguishes itself from typical wagon styling with a very low roofline, which in keeping with Audi's assertion is coupe-like. My tester was equipped with Audi's optional, Open Sky Panoramic Roof, which places a sliding sunroof over the front occupants and a fixed glass roof over the rear seat passengers. Notwithstanding the vehicle's low profile and its Panoramic roof, I found plenty of headroom in the A3.
Spoiling the family
Along with the extra room of its hatchback design, the A3's cabin is an impeccably assembled work of art. I found seats that provided the ultimate in comfort and support. Everywhere a hand drops or eyes settle is finished in rich material, be it cloth, leather or polymer of one form or another.
Controls are clear, precise and easy to use in the A3's highly attractive business office, save and except for the dual temperature controls. They're dead simple in function but I found them annoying to operate. Although they resemble rotary knobs, they only click to the right or left to increase or decrease heat by half a degree per click. Aesthetically, they look good but they are inefficient for those, like me, who regularly crank the heat up and down.
Apart from temperature control trivialities, the A3's cabin is a study in design efficiency and appeal. My Bluetooth-enabled S line tester was outfitted with luxury and convenience accoutrements that included a premium Bose audio system and heated front seats among a long list of standard features such as power everything and cruise control.
Audi's hot little TT too small for the family? Don't blow a gasket. The A3 embodies much of the TT's soul in its low-slung 5-door hatchback architecture.
 |
| The A3 wears the recognizable Audi front fascia. |
This is no wagon
Audi wants us to interpret the five-passenger A3 as a hatchback coupe, not a wagon. Despite such sleight of hand, I mostly see wagon; but what a beauty it is, wagon or not. Almost arrogantly, the A3 wears Audi's new grille and nose design, mimicking the more expensive models in this automaker's prestigious lineup. I like the attitude exhibited by the A3's clean, aggressive lines and flared wheel wells.
The A3 clearly distinguishes itself from typical wagon styling with a very low roofline, which in keeping with Audi's assertion is coupe-like. My tester was equipped with Audi's optional, Open Sky Panoramic Roof, which places a sliding sunroof over the front occupants and a fixed glass roof over the rear seat passengers. Notwithstanding the vehicle's low profile and its Panoramic roof, I found plenty of headroom in the A3.
Spoiling the family
Along with the extra room of its hatchback design, the A3's cabin is an impeccably assembled work of art. I found seats that provided the ultimate in comfort and support. Everywhere a hand drops or eyes settle is finished in rich material, be it cloth, leather or polymer of one form or another.
Controls are clear, precise and easy to use in the A3's highly attractive business office, save and except for the dual temperature controls. They're dead simple in function but I found them annoying to operate. Although they resemble rotary knobs, they only click to the right or left to increase or decrease heat by half a degree per click. Aesthetically, they look good but they are inefficient for those, like me, who regularly crank the heat up and down.
Apart from temperature control trivialities, the A3's cabin is a study in design efficiency and appeal. My Bluetooth-enabled S line tester was outfitted with luxury and convenience accoutrements that included a premium Bose audio system and heated front seats among a long list of standard features such as power everything and cruise control.
 |
| Inside and out, the fit and finish is remarkable. |