Audi A3 Review, First Drive

The face-lifted Audi A3 finally makes it to our shores – literally, as we drive it on the winding coastal roads of Visakhapatnam. But is it merely a nip-and-tuck job or is there more to it than meets the eye?

The entry-level luxury segment has been quite a tricky category in India ever since its inception a few years ago – all the big names have tried their hand in it, but have only managed to burn their fingers thus far. Audi is the only manufacturer that has stayed clear of the luxury hatchback trap and introduced a compact sedan instead – the A3, in 2014. And, truth be told, we’ve always liked this sedan since it doesn’t compromise in German engineering and quality. Now, before the A3 can complete three years on the market, the face-lifted version hits our shores. The changes are few – but, then, if it ain’t broke why fix it? Better yet, why not improve the luxury quotient.

Masculine Tailoring

The wise men at Ingolstadt retained the typical clean Audi design. Personally, I feel like its time for Audi’s designs to become a little more bold and individualistic – but that’s a topic for another day. Audi has, nevertheless, tweaked the design by introducing a bigger and bolder single-frame front grille to make the A3 more imposing. A sharp shoulder line cuts across the A3’s profile, starting from the redesigned headlamps and ending at the revised taillights – adding a bit of muscle. The headlamps are more imposing too, and come with new LED DRLs, while the tail lamps get Audi’s dynamic indicators – which make quite a sweeping statement (pun intended).

Inner Sanctum

Step inside and there’s a sense of familiarity. Not much has been changed here, but there are a couple of important additions. First, the panoramic sunroof is now a standard feature and the seats now come in plush Milano leather. Also, the A3 is now equipped with a wireless charging box for mobile phones, which is tucked away in the centre console. Audi has retained the minimalistic, user-friendly design of the dashboard. Audi’s idea is very simple – keep the infotainment minimalistic and hassle-free for users. The 7-inch retractable MMI screen sits in the middle of the dashboard and just below it are our favourite air conditioning vents ever – with a design inspired from a jet engine. The fit-and-finish of the cabin is top notch of course, as expected from Audi. And seat comfort wise too, the A3 is right up there and we have no complaints. The rear seats, though, offer hardly any thigh support and provide just enough shoulder room for two adults. Moreover, as the A3’s C-pillar sweeps down, it affects the headroom space for rear passengers. As a result, anyone over 6-feet tall will have a tough time sitting in the back. Due to its svelte design, getting in and out of the car is also quite a challenge for rear passengers. That said, the A3 does manage to offer pretty decent knee room in the rear.

Behind the Wheel

The A3 comes with two engine options. The petrol is powered by the 148bhp, 1.4-litre TSI, which is also available in the A4, and, of course, the 141bhp, 2.0-litre diesel motor. Unfortunately, we could only get our hands on the latter. Fire up the engine, and the noise is quite audible in the cabin. Cross the 2,000-2,500rpm mark, and the powertrain starts to get louder still. But all this can be forgiven, as it’s responsive and quick off the mark. With a massive 320Nm of torque, the motor refuses to run out of juice. The 1,968cc is mated with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which ensures that it shifts smoothly and quickly. In terms of driving dynamics, even though the A3 is a front-wheel drive sedan, it’s spot-on in the handling department. It has immense grip and high-speed stability and it never gives you any reason to doubt its dynamic capability. The steering could be more feelsome though, but that’s an old gripe that we have with most Audis. That said, it’s both practical and fun to drive. And the suspension setup is perfect for Indian roads, as it’s totally unfazed by whatever the road surface throws at it – it just soaks it all up with no complain whatsoever.

Summing it up

The Audi A3 is the most complete sedan in the entry-level luxury segment. It’s very difficult to pinpoint a flaw when it comes to comfort features, quality or the driving experience. The exteriors have been tweaked a bit, and Audi has managed to improve the A3’s road presence, while the cabin remains more or less untouched. This is not a bad thing, as everything here is top notch – especially the build quality and fit-and-finish. The 2-litre diesel engine offers a lot of punch, even though it is quite audible. As a total package, then, the A3 has just gotten even more impressive.