The highly regarded last generation Audi A3 car has been replaced with a new 2023 model that has been updated everywhere but keeps the fun-to-drive character that drew us to the previous model.
The new Audi A3 demonstrates that the Audi does not take challenges to its small-car dominance lying down.
The new model is more competent, efficient, technologically innovative, and safer than ever before, and thanks to additional passenger capacity, it is also larger than the previous generation A4. That is undoubtedly a good thing for drivers upgrading to the latest A3.
What’s New About The Audi A3
Audi’s smallest car undergoes a complete makeover for 2023, aligning the A3’s appearance with the brand’s current style. The new A3 is somewhat larger, broader, and higher than the previous model, providing more passenger room.
The interior has been redesigned and seriously upgraded with new technologies. The 2023 A3 will be relatively fast, thanks to its hybrid turbocharged I-4 engine. If that isn’t enough, the S3 returns with increased power and the RS5, this time, is powered by a fierce turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
Engine And Performance
As with the ordinary A3, the sporty S3 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine. However, it performs better, producing 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet torque. Again, the transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, but Quattro AWD is standard.
Audi claims that this configuration enables the S3 to accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. Among the S3’s other sporting features are larger brakes and a low-riding sports suspension.
Audi also claims that the A3’s 48-volt hybrid technology improves performance and economy. As the A3 accelerates away from a stop, the system may give additional low-end torque for improved off-the-line performance. Additionally, it enables the A3 to run with the engine turned off in certain circumstances, like coasting to a halt.
Fuel Economy
The Audi A3’s revised body reduces the drag coefficient by 0.33 per cent to 0.26 per cent. The improved mild-hybrid system is mainly responsible for the dramatic increase in fuel efficiency. The A3 is up a significant six points across the board for the all-wheel-drive vehicle. The EPA estimates 28 miles per gallon on city roads, 36 miles per gallon on the highway, and 30 miles per gallon combined while using 87-octane gas, which is quite fantastic.
Interior
From inside the A3, two big air vents surround the gauge display, and the top of the dashboard is lined with a stitched panel. Sports seats with faux-suede upholstery and quilted seating surfaces are offered.
Audi addressed the issue regarding the cramped rear seats with the redesign only a few inches wider and taller. While storage capacity in small cars is seldom vast, we anticipate the A3’s trunk to hold enough groceries or a weekend’s worth of bags for road travelling.
Infotainment And Tech
The A3 comes standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, although an optional 12.3-inch one is available. Fortunately, the A3 eschews the brand’s new dual-screen layout, which converts temperature settings and vehicle driving modes to digital controls.
Rather than that, those supplementary controls are handled here through regular ol’ buttons. Audi’s standard gauge display, the digital Virtual Cockpit, will also come standard. This programmable screen is a common feature across the rest of the Audi range, and it can show a big map in the instrument cluster’s centre, in addition to traditional speed and rpm readings.
Safety Features
All 2023 Audi A3 cars come standard with ten airbags. It also comes equipped with the following standard driver assistance and active safety features:
- Front automated emergency braking
- lane departure warning
- automatic high beams
Optional features include:
- adaptive cruise control
- lane keep assist
- blind-spot monitoring
- rear cross-traffic warning
Optional and Standard Features
While the A3 is Audi’s entry-level model, it is loaded with luxury-car-like standard equipment. Among them are leather-wrapped seats with heated and power-adjustable front seats. Comfort is ensured by three-zone automatic temperature control, while a considerable sunroof allows fresh air. The large gauge cluster and infotainment screens contribute to the high-tech feel.
Naturally, Audi will provide many choices to enhance the high-end experience further. In addition to the standard USB connections, there includes a wireless device charger. The A3 now has a head-up display for the first time.
The Verdict
There is very nothing that the A3 does not provide in comparison to Audi’s standard-option vehicles, and if you care about how a car makes you feel when driving it, we believe you should not miss the Audi A3.