Introduction

The Audi A3 is a compact luxury sedan that puts substance over flash. It offers many standard features, including automatic emergency braking. It's been a champ for a long time, and has aged well. The 2020 model is the final year of this generation, with a redesign planned for 2021, so the Cabriolet and top Prestige trims have been cut. That leaves the Premium and Premium Plus trims, although there's a one-time options package called Final Edition, which includes sport seats and some cosmetic bits for $800. 

Among other things, the A3 is known for its strong, smooth acceleration from a brilliant 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that comes in two states of tune, for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The front-drive version deserves raves for its impressive 30-mpg on regular gas, while the all-wheel-drive model earns praise for its excellent balance and grip. 

The cabin wears standard leather upholstery and a power moonroof, and it's full of nice touches, including the 8.0-inch infotainment screen. A high-tech digital instrument panel is available. The cabin has a snug rear seat, with a smallish trunk. 

With front-wheel drive, the 2020 A3 is rated by the EPA at 27 mpg city, 36 highway, 30 combined. Mileage falls with all-wheel drive to 22/30/25 mpg. Both versions run on regular fuel. 

The A3's safety scores are strong. It earns five overall stars from the NHTSA and is designated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Automatic emergency braking is standard, while other options are available on the Premium Plus model. Those include blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. 

Lineup

For about $34,000, the base Premium comes with leather seats, a power moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All-wheel drive is $3,200, significantly more than most, but it comes with more power and a sporty suspension. 

The Premium Plus is $37,000 and brings a lot for the extra three grand, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, and Bang & Olufsen audio, as well as the availability of a costly digital instrument cluster and adaptive cruise control. 

The warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles, with the first scheduled service included. 

Walkaround

The Audi A3 looks a lot like its grander big brothers, the A4 and A6. On the Premium Plus, the sharp LED headlamps frame a similar large grille, although when you look close you can see that it's not finished to the same standard. The 18-inch wheels nicely fill the wheel wells, and the trim taillights have an intricate design. 

Interior

The cabin is minimalistic and clean, simple without being spartan, reminiscent of the Audi TT sports car. The infotainment screen provides a lot of information, and the optional digital gauge cluster gives the A3 a high-tech feel. The quality of the materials is high, low sheen and soft touch. The leather is real, not synthetic.
The front seats have good support and broad adjustment. But the A3 is after all a compact, so the second row is tight for tall passengers. The rear seats split 60/40, and fold down to expand the small 10 cubic-foot trunk. 

Driving Impression

The 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine in the front-wheel-drive version makes 186 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There's good acceleration without any significant turbo lag. 

With all-wheel drive, the same engine makes 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. Naturally the acceleration is better. It provides a sure-footed feel on slippery pavement, although most versions of the A3 come with relatively high-performance tires that don't work well in snow. 

The handling is lively, and the steering is sharp and direct. 

Summary

This year's bargain is the front-wheel-drive A3 that gets 30 mpg. It's still a competitive small luxury car, though its replacement is coming for 2021. If only we all could age this gracefully. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.