Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S tronic (Ambiente) Review: Never too late

What we like:

Well-proportioned styling

refinement

ride

superb interior

What we dislike:

Handling lacks involvement and driver satisfaction

styling a tad too predictable

Inside, the A3 sets new standards once again when it comes to perceived quality and luxury levels. The slim dashboard is modeled after an aircraft’s wing and is made to look like it is floating on top of the centre console. The circular air vents, made up of over 30 individual parts, offer a particularly nice detail – the flow of air, diffused or centralised can be chosen via turning its centre knob.

The MMI screen featuring advanced graphics technologies, is an ultra slim affair that pops out of the dashboard gracefully with the press of a button. Controls for the new generation MMI are situated behind the gear lever on the centre console. The new system features new toggle switches for the selection of the MMI menus, a new, larger rotary knob that incorporates the touchpad on it for cars fitted with the MMI Touch navigation system, new interactive menus as well as superb looking, real-time 3D graphics for the Drive Select menus.

Other notable interior details include the new climate control interface, which makes the A3’s easier to use than the A4’s or A6’s, the new gear lever for cars with the S-Tronic gearbox, the new electronic parking brake that saves space on the centre console, LED lighting of the cup holder surrounds and MMI rotary knob/touchpad and so on. Overall perceived quality is unsurpassed – it makes its BMW 1 Series rival’s interior seem low rent in comparison, Audi’s brilliant interior designers haven’t left out on any details - everything from the exposed surfaces on the dash and centre console to the new switches and air vents all speak of unsurpassed premium quality and class.

When it comes to utility, Audi claims improved headroom both at the front and rear while luggage volume with the rear seats in place is a good 365 litres (1,100 litres with the rear seats folded down). With the new model, Audi has also taken the liberty to introduce new driver assistance systems that were previously available only on bigger models like the A6. These include optional kit like the Adaptive Cruise Control, Audi pre sense, Audi side assist, Audi active lane assist as well as Driver Information System with Break Recommendation. In addition, the A3 can also be kitted out with the superb sounding Bang & Olufsen high-end sound system and Audi connect Internet connectivity.

With the new A3, Audi has once again moved the goalposts in the perceived quality and luxury departments as well as refinement levels in the compact class, which makes the Ingolstadt brand well prepared to face off against its premium competitors in this highly competitive and important class.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai in Mallorca, Spain Photos by Audi