2015 Audi A3

In case you haven’t noticed, the Barons of Bavaria are heading down-market faster than you can say macht schnell. First it was Mercedes-Benz with the CLA, its sub-$30,000 entry-luxury compact sedan, followed by BMW with its new 2 Series, and now Audi’s bargain-priced A3 with a starting price of just $29,900.

 

The proliferation of the $30,000 German luxury brands provides seriously tempting propositions, regaling drivers with superb German craftsmanship, pure driving enjoyment, and an incredulous price. It made me wonder: Where does this leave the Camrys and Accords in the purchase consideration set?

 

Technically speaking, the A3 sedan tested here isn’t Audi’s first compact luxury A3. That distinction goes to the A3 hatchback introduced back in 2005. Ten years ago, the American car market was caught up in monstrous-sized SUVs such as the Hummer and Suburban. Times have changed, and buyers are gravitating toward compact luxury cars faster than manufacturers can get new product to market. 

 

Looks to Love

Outside, the A3 bears a striking resemblance to the A4, and, ironically, is almost the exact size of the original A4 that made its debut in 1994. The new A3 is now a full 10 inches shorter than the 2014 A4, but only the keenest of observers will be able to distinguish the difference. 

 

Unlike the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s cabin, which I think looks cheap, praise can be heaped upon the A3 interior. The seats are nicely bolstered and trimmed in real leather. There are decorative inlays and soft-touch materials throughout, and the rear seat offers reasonable space for two tall adults.

 

The A3 comes in three available trim levels (Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige) and with one of two engine choices: a 170-horsepower, 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that’s standard with front-wheel drive models, and a stellar 220-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with the quattro® all-wheel drive system. A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission is used for both engines, and a manual transmission is not offered.

 

I drove models with each engine and found them to pack good power and liked the dual-clutch transmission. The car handled and rode nicely, was reasonably quiet, and solid — as you would expect from a quality German auto.

 

The A3 is initially offered as a four-door sedan; however, a two-door cabriolet, Q3 compact crossover, and A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid hatchback will follow by year-end. 

 

While safety ratings are not yet available for the A3, some of its safety features include driver and front passenger advanced airbag supplemental restraint system, Sideguard® inflatable curtain airbags, and electronic stability control with secondary collision brake assist and traction control. 

 

My early impressions of this car left me with a case of separation anxiety; I want to drive it again.