2015 Audi A3 Review _ Consumer Reports

Audi Jumps into Entry-Level Luxury Car Market with New A3

Audi has entered the ever-growing entry-level luxury car market, joining forces with established players like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This move is no surprise, given that consumers are increasingly seeking luxury features at affordable prices. As seen in the lines outside Coach handbag outlets, people are eager to get their hands on high-end products without breaking the bank.

The Audi A3 has a starting price of $29,900, which is the same as the Mercedes-Benz CLA. However, it's worth noting that this price does not include the $895 destination fee. The Audi A3 also comes with more standard features than its competitors, including leather and a sunroof. While some additional options may be necessary to feel fully satisfied with the car, these basic amenities provide a solid foundation for the vehicle.

A Loaded Toyota Camry or Honda Accord Can Cost the Same Amount as an Audi A3

It's often mentioned that a loaded Toyota Camry or Honda Accord can cost the same amount as an Audi A3, but despite this similarity in pricing, there are significant differences between these vehicles. The Audi A3 is a smaller car with a more compact design, whereas the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are larger and offer more space inside. However, it's essential to consider that the Audi A3 has been built using the most recent Volkswagen Golf platform, which contributes to its overall feel.

The same engine is used in the Audi A3 as in many Volvo wagons, including this Jetta. This 1.8 L 170 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides a solid foundation for the vehicle. Additionally, there is also a diesel front-wheel drive standard option available, along with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. Furthermore, there is an uplevel engine choice, which features a 220 horsepower 2 L turbocharged four-cylinder. However, it's worth noting that this car does not come equipped with a manual transmission, as the dual-clutch automatic transmission takes its place.

Cabin Comfort and Materials

One area where the Audi A3 falls short is in terms of cabin comfort and materials. While Audi's typically have high-quality materials inside, some plastics and switches used in the A3 are not quite plush. This may not be a significant concern for those who have come from more expensive Audi models, but it could be a drawback for others. Nevertheless, the car still manages to feel like an Audi due to its overall refinement and power.

Power and Handling

The Audi A3 is powered by the same engine as other Volvo wagons, with plenty of power provided by the 2 L turbocharged four-cylinder. The steering in this car is also very good, feeling eager and fun to drive. However, it lacks a manual transmission option, which could be a disappointment for some drivers who prefer the control and engagement that comes with shifting gears manually.

The Audi A3's Design and Platform

Audi has built the A3 using the most recent Volkswagen Golf platform, which contributes to its overall feel. The car is available as both a sedan and hatchback, although initially, Audi had planned for it to be only a sedan. This change was made due to protest from loyal A3 diesel hatchback owners, who successfully convinced Audi to bring back the hatchback version of the A3.

First Impressions of the Audi A3

Our first impressions of the Audi A3 are that it's a pretty nice car. However, for more in-depth reviews and information on hatchbacks or sedans, we recommend checking out Consumer Reports online.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enAudi jumps into the ever growing entrylevel luxury car Thunderdome with their new A3 it makes sense that BMW Mercedes-Benz and now Audi They're all playing in this market people like getting luxury for not so much money just look at the lines outside of any Coach handbag Outlet it's probably no surprise that the 83 cost the same $29,900 starting price as the Mercedes-Benz CLA it's also no surprise that that doesn't include the $895 destination fee the Audi does have more stuff as standard including leather and a sunroof you don't need to add a bunch of options to feel satisfied here probably just metallic paint heated seats and the iPod connection bringing you to just over 32,000 bucks now here's the point in the video where I lecture you how a loaded Toyota Camry or Honda Accord cost the same amount of money and is a lot bigger inside but you know that already so what's under the hood the same engine is the one that's found in many volt wagons including this Jetta a 1.8 L 170 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder you can also get a diesel front-wheel drive standard but you can also get Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive like on this press car it also has the uplevel engine Choice a 220 horsepower 2 L turbocharged 4 cylinder you can only get Audi's dual clutch automat atic transmission here no stick now that's a shame because this car would be a whole lot of fun with a stick shift at this point you're probably cynically wondering so what do I give up because of that low price well the cabin's snug before grown-ups can fit Audi's typically have very nice materials inside but here some Plastics and switches aren't quite plush now you're not really going to feel deprived about that unless you came from a more expensive Audi given these shortcomings does it feel feel like an Audi yep there's plenty of power especially with the 2 L and steering's pretty good it feels eager and fun but with a solid layer of refinement now you can't say that about the Mercedes CLA which feels like a cheap knockoff then again the A3 is built off of the most recent Volkswagen Golf platform and that car feels like an Audi too so why don't I just buy a golf why don't you actually that's a good question first off you can't get the golf with all-wheel drive like you can in the Audi probably the bigger hangup is that the golf just like the previous generation A3 comes in a hatchback only now Americans they're not too keen on upscale hatchbacks that's why Audi originally planned for the A3 to be a sedan only this time around but protest from loyal A3 diesel hatchback owners convinced ay to actually bring back a hatchback version of the A3 sedan or hatchback our first impressions at the A3 is a pretty nice car for more on hatchbacks or sedans check out Consumer Reports onlineAudi jumps into the ever growing entrylevel luxury car Thunderdome with their new A3 it makes sense that BMW Mercedes-Benz and now Audi They're all playing in this market people like getting luxury for not so much money just look at the lines outside of any Coach handbag Outlet it's probably no surprise that the 83 cost the same $29,900 starting price as the Mercedes-Benz CLA it's also no surprise that that doesn't include the $895 destination fee the Audi does have more stuff as standard including leather and a sunroof you don't need to add a bunch of options to feel satisfied here probably just metallic paint heated seats and the iPod connection bringing you to just over 32,000 bucks now here's the point in the video where I lecture you how a loaded Toyota Camry or Honda Accord cost the same amount of money and is a lot bigger inside but you know that already so what's under the hood the same engine is the one that's found in many volt wagons including this Jetta a 1.8 L 170 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder you can also get a diesel front-wheel drive standard but you can also get Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive like on this press car it also has the uplevel engine Choice a 220 horsepower 2 L turbocharged 4 cylinder you can only get Audi's dual clutch automat atic transmission here no stick now that's a shame because this car would be a whole lot of fun with a stick shift at this point you're probably cynically wondering so what do I give up because of that low price well the cabin's snug before grown-ups can fit Audi's typically have very nice materials inside but here some Plastics and switches aren't quite plush now you're not really going to feel deprived about that unless you came from a more expensive Audi given these shortcomings does it feel feel like an Audi yep there's plenty of power especially with the 2 L and steering's pretty good it feels eager and fun but with a solid layer of refinement now you can't say that about the Mercedes CLA which feels like a cheap knockoff then again the A3 is built off of the most recent Volkswagen Golf platform and that car feels like an Audi too so why don't I just buy a golf why don't you actually that's a good question first off you can't get the golf with all-wheel drive like you can in the Audi probably the bigger hangup is that the golf just like the previous generation A3 comes in a hatchback only now Americans they're not too keen on upscale hatchbacks that's why Audi originally planned for the A3 to be a sedan only this time around but protest from loyal A3 diesel hatchback owners convinced ay to actually bring back a hatchback version of the A3 sedan or hatchback our first impressions at the A3 is a pretty nice car for more on hatchbacks or sedans check out Consumer Reports online\n"