One of the greatest drives in the Southwest is on the two-lane road that snakes over Mingus Mountain between Prescott and Jerome, Arizona. Steep grades, hairpin curves and incredible views greet those lucky enough to make the run on Arizona 89A, a favorite for motorcyclists and sports car drivers.
I’ve driven this route in any number of terrific (and not so terrific) cars, the latest being a fast drive in the 2015 Audi A3 sedan. The venue was just about right, letting the A3 show off its handling prowess, crisp steering response and strong turbocharged engine, even as it coddled its occupants in luxurious comfort.
Audi redesigned its smallest car for 2015 to tap into the goodness of its bigger siblings, and its sports-luxury heritage shines through. The ride and handling are exceptional, interior refinement feels top drawer and the sleek styling carries the distinctive (and much copied) look of the Audi lineup, much like a scaled-down A8.
The A3 is small but not tiny, a compact car that has grown into the space that A4 left behind as it moved upstream. It is fairly pricey though for what Audi considers its entry-level model, especially when compared with sport models from lesser nameplates that offer similar content and comparable performance for a lot less money.
The underpinnings are based on the same chassis as the Volkswagen Golf, part of the parent company’s effort to standardized platforms across the board. So doubters are saying: why pony up for the A3’s premium-brand price tag when you can have most of it in the much less-expensive VW Golf? Even the sharp-performing Golf GTI model?
Plus, the Golf offers a hatchback, which Audi has eliminated for its initial run of A3 sedans. That’s probably right on target as Audi senses U.S. drivers’ general dislike for hatches in upscale cars. But there are those among us who still favor the extra versatility of a hatchback in any four-door compact instead of being forced to cram things into an undersized trunk.
Critics also have said the new A3 is soft and falls short of being a sports sedan (at least until the pending arrival of the S3 performance version). The compact Audi may be less edgy than some, but a big part of the car’s real-world appeal is agile drivability that doesn’t beat up you or your passengers. The ride stays composed even when hustling through corners or over rough surfaces.
Agile handling and responsive steering complement the A3's composed ride.
Audi will soon follow its A3 sedan introduction with a convertible, TDI diesel sedan and the performance-tweaked, 300-horsepower S3. Next year, there will be a four-door hatchback version, but apparently limited to the economy-oriented gasoline/electric hybrid model, according to the press material.
The A3 that I drove was equipped with the higher-performance 2.0-liter turbo four, which generates 220 horsepower, hooked up with a snappy six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The starting price was $32,900, reaching a stiff $36,645 when some desirable options and shipping are added on.
The lesser A3 gets a 1.8-liter turbo-4 that makes 170 horsepower and comes in front-wheel-drive only. For most folks, that should be plenty for regular driving chores, with a starting price around $30,000. That still seems like lot for a base model, despite the gleaming four-ring logo on its shapely grille.
The six-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission is the only one offered, leaving those who prefer the tactile engagement of stickshift to shop elsewhere. Matter of fact, the A3 that I drove didn’t even have paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, a glaring omission considering how ubiquitous those things are on even budget compacts and, incongruously, small SUVs. Again, Audi’s labeling of the A3 as a sports sedan comes into doubt.
The transmission does work very well, clicking quickly into the next gear and performing such feats as holding a lower gear when slowing down or descending hills. Drivers can manually change gears with the shift lever.
The high-tech six-speed does suffer from an occasional clunkiness at lower speeds, but I think that goes with the dual-clutch territory. It’s more responsive than a regular hydro-electronic automatic, but not always as smooth.
The A3 is based on the same modular platform as its Volkswagen Golf sibling
The A3’s freshened styling adds a sportier stance and sleeker profile, and that eye-catching grille with its distinctive rings logo and LED accent lights sets it apart. But while the coupe-like proportions are appealing, there’s nothing here to really get psyched about.
And that sloping roofline kills headroom in the rear seat. If you plan to transport your family or frequent passengers, try it on for size first. Tall people riding in the front seats pretty much crunches legroom in back.
Audi has long been known for its beautifully crafted interiors, and the latest A3 moves it up a notch once again. The styling is clean and simple yet high-end, with rich materials and surfaces, and a precision feel to its switchgear. The computer-mouse-like rotary dial that controls a variety of electronic functions works well, and the separate dials for adjusting audio are welcome, although oddly located.
There’s a full measure of electronic comfort and convenience gear as befitting a luxury craft. A commendable feature is the video display screen that rises from the center top of the dashboard in tablet form rather than taking up real estate in the front of the dash. A major plus here is that when you get sick of looking at the glow from the screen, the push of a button retracts it back into the dash. The remaining look is refreshingly clutter free.
The 2015 A3 competes with premium compact sedans mainly from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, with each of them bringing something different to the table. Audi’s strong popularity in this segment shows that the automaker is pretty much on target.
The Audi is a likeable car with superior drivability and a lovely interior, though that price tag might give potential buyers pause. Audi’s smallest sedan is geared for those who desire the prestige and driving characteristics of the German luxury brand, and can shrug off the bottom line.
The premium interior is cleanly styled and nicely finished.
2015 Audi A3 2.0T quattro S tronic
