2024 Audi A3 sedan new car review

This premium German maker’s latest car undercuts its rivals by about $10,000, delivering plenty of kit for those looking for something special.

2023 Audi A3 35 TSFI Sedan

The most affordable ticket to Audi sedan ownership isn’t exactly cheap, but it is a charming car.

VALUE

In case you haven’t noticed, cars are getting expensive. The cheapest Audi A3 sedan cost $39,800 plus on-roads in 2014, a price that has climbed by more than $13,000 today. Yours for $53,100 plus on-road costs (about $59,000 drive-away), the Audi looks like great value alongside rivals that straddle the $70,000 mark.

The Audi A3 is about $10,000 cheaper than rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Standard kit includes a “virtual cockpit” digital dashboard, a central infotainment screen with a reversing camera and smartphone mirroring, plus leather seats and LED headlights that weren’t included a decade ago.

Our test car’s optional extras include metallic paint ($1250), stylish 18-inch wheels ($1500), a sunroof ($2000), and comfort package with heated, electrically adjustable front seats ($2000).

It’s good looking and has plenty of luxe kit.

COMFORT

Compact cars don’t get much more comfortable than this. The A3 has excellent seats and the wide range of adjustment often found in German cars – tall drivers will find they can drop the seat low and enjoy plenty of headroom.

Audi’s dual zone climate control tamed 40 degree days for passengers in the front and rear, helped by brilliant white paint that reflected the sun’s heat. Rear passengers get vents but no air con controls, and a pair of USB outlets keep passenger phones topped up.

The cabin is comfortable and functional.

In the front, wireless charging and smartphone mirroring is handy to have, and the punchy six-speaker stereo had no problem shouting down road noise that bordered on excessive.

SAFETY

The current shape A3 launched on the back end of the Covid crisis, when computer chips were in short supply. As such, early examples missed out on blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alerts, but that was fixed in time for 2024.

Other rolling changes include the addition of active cruise control with active lane keeping assistance, and predictive safety features that tighten seatbelts in critical situations.

Seven airbags help keep you safe in an emergency. Audi tragics will be disappointed by the lack of “quattro” all-wheel-drive for slippery weather, though you can pay to upgrade to all-paw traction.

Audi has added plenty of safety gear for this year.

DRIVING

The standard A3 has a 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor that sends 110kW and 250Nm to the front Pirellis. Its claimed 0-100km/h time (8.4 seconds) is less impressive than the A3’s fuel economy (4.9L/100km) which is made possible by mild hybrid assistance.

Customers who want more punch can pay $7000 more for a 2.0-litre turbo Quattro model with 140kW/320Nm, or go ham with the supercar chasing 294kW/500Nm RS3 for $111,000 drive-away.

2It’s a sweet driving car but lacks the punch of some rivals.

Back in the real world, the A3 is a pleasure to drive. A reassuringly hefty brake pedal brings powerful stopping, the engine is sweet and the steering suitably crisp.

You get the occasional pause from its dual-clutch auto in low-speed running, but it is super smooth once underway.

This model doesn’t try to be particularly sporty, so the suspension is tuned for plushness over poise. It’s an easygoing, if somewhat forgettable car to drive.

ALTERNATIVES

Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, from about $68,000 drive-away

Flash wheels but quite expensive. The larger C-Class was cheaper not long ago.

BMW 220i Gran Coupe, from about $71,000 drive-away

The cheapest four-door BMW is dearer still, but more powerful than the Benz and Audi.

Volkswagen Golf GTI, from about $62,000 drive-away

A no-brainer until VW raised the price by $7000, the GTI is comfortable and quick.

Originally published as 2024 Audi A3 sedan new car review