2022 Audi A3

The 2022 Audi A3 follows a similar formula to the previous model but looks a lot more polished overall. The grille is wider and the headlights feature a more pronounced teardrop element. The body also has more sculpting without looking busy. That body has grown slightly. At 14.8 feet long, the new A3 is 1.5 inches longer than its predecessor though the wheelbase is unchanged. It’s also 0.8 inch wider and 0.5 inch taller, both of which add some interior space.

A pair of digital screens give the cockpit a high-tech vibe. The standard instrument cluster uses a 10.3-inch screen, and buyers can move up to a 12.3-inch screen. The infotainment system uses a 10.1-inch touchscreen that is angled toward the driver to bring it within easy reach. Design touches include angular flourishes that play off the exterior, a shifter that looks like a sliding toggle, and standard sport seats. Available trim choices include aluminum, carbon-fiber, or wood.

The A3 comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers all-wheel drive as an option. All S3 models have all-wheel drive.

How fast is the Audi A3?

The A3’s 2.0-liter turbo-4 makes 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. It provides peppy acceleration that pushes the A3 from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds with front-wheel drive and 6.3 seconds with all-wheel drive, both of which are aided by a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system that adds up to 12 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque during takeoff. Drivers looking for more excitement should opt for the S3. It features a 2.0-liter turbo-4 tuned to 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which launches the car from 0-60 mph in a quick 4.5 seconds. Both engines stay in the background most of the time, but in Dynamic mode the S3’s turbo-4 can bark between gears and let out some muffled pops and cracks on overrun.

On the road, both the A3 and S3 feel tied down to the road, with stable, sharp steering that responds quickly to driver inputs. With its lower ride height and available adaptive dampers, the S3 boasts slightly more agility and less body lean. Both models feel light and tossable and handle very well until pushed hard through corners. At that point, the heavy front weight bias causes the front end to push rather than rotate. The S3 may have 306 hp, but it’s a fun street car and not a track machine.

Though firm, the ride quality is streetworthy as well. Only the sharpest bumps pound through. The A3 has progressive brakes and the S3 gets larger front brakes that will handle a mountain road but not a racetrack.

Space is great up front and the base seats are comfortable though a little flat. S3 models get sport seats with thicker but not obtrusive bolstering.

The rear seat will fit a pair of average-size adults, but passengers 6-foot or taller will want more rear leg and head room.

Trunk space runs tight even for a small car at just 10.9 cubic feet in the A3 and a convertible-like 8.3 cubes in the S3.

However, the A3 gets plenty of standard and optional safety features. The standard list includes automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and active lane control. Options include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, an automatic parking feature, and an exit warning system.

The A3 Premium starts at $34,945 and comes standard with leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable heated front seats, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and taillights, and 17-inch alloy wheels on all-season tires. All-wheel drive adds $2,000.

Which Audi A3 should I buy?

We’d go for the $40,245 Premium Plus trim, which adds adaptive cruise control, wireless device charging, a surround-view camera system, synthetic leather door armrests, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, memory for the driver seat and mirrors, an alarm, satellite radio, and automatic parking. We’d also be highly tempted by the S3 Premium Plus, which runs $48,745 and comes with the same equipment plus 18-inch summer performance tires, front sport seats, and bigger brakes.

How much is a fully loaded 2022 Audi A3?

The top S3 Premium Plus model runs $52,045. It gets automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, wireless phone charging, birch wood interior trim, a head-up display, LED matrix headlights, navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, traffic sign recognition, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. We’d also add the $1,100 S Sport package for its adaptive dampers and red brake calipers.

A3 infotainment

The A3 gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and does away with the lower screen that controls climate function in higher-end Audis. It’s a good-looking system with quick responses, and uses haptic feedback to confirm inputs. A configurable digital instrument cluster available with three themes shows the information drivers desire, and buyers can also get a head-up display to put key information within their line of sight when looking at the road.

The base A3 with front-wheel drive is even thriftier with ratings of 29/38/32 mpg.

The S3 uses a more powerful turbo-4 and gets ratings of 23/32/27 mpg.