Audi A3, compact and elegant

When I first saw the Audi A3, I was a little in shock at how the design was very similar to the debut model in 1996. This was a welcomed surprise, as owners of older models will be delighted that their model still holds value, because of the familiar exterior. From another perspective, it shows that, from inception, the architects had a clear plan for the vehicle and have never deviated from it.

This vehicle was meant to be petite and neat, something you would compare more to the BMW M2 rather than the 3 series. Some of the sides are curved to give it a more flattering look, which contrasts the use of angular lines in the front facia and the lights.

The inside is clean, with as few buttons as possible, and this is not an understatement. The upholstery designer and the person in charge of functionality must have had constant arguments over the layout.

From an aesthetics standpoint it is very minimalistic, with flush buttons and simplistic symbols for everyone to understand. For example, the a/c has a ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ sign with no visible temperature number beside it. For more information, the driver will have to look at the 10.1-inch central touchscreen.

There is also no traditional gear lever, rather a gear switch to select reverse, neutral and drive and a designated park button. This might be a bit much for the average person but, for the driver who is looking for something different and stylish, it’s a perfect fit.

Beside the transmission selection is a touch-sensitive circular button where you rub around the edges to control the volume and press left or right to skip the track. At this point, it seemed as if Audi was trying to future-proof this vehicle as much as possible.

Where they went too far, for me, was the two USB Type C ports, as we are still living in a world where most cell phone users still use a Type A port, well, in Jamaica for sure.

Visually, the interior looks nice and clutter-free, with a leather and piano black finish, and seats that are a mixture of black, gray and blue lining, which adds some pizazz.

While looking at the roof, I noticed that the centre light was pushed back, to the benefit of the rear-seat passengers. This is something that Volvos and Jaguars, in the past, would have in their models.

Despite its small frame, there is also a sizeable trunk of 425 litres. Now, the height is not that great, but the depth is very good, as I was able to fit three medium-size pieces of luggage in quite easily.

Driving Experience

The first thing I noticed was how well built the chassis is, as the vehicle felt sturdy, which evoked confidence on the road. This was also complemented by the proportional weight distribution, so I was able to throw the vehicles into a lot of corners, without any body rolls. Another standout point is the fact that the turning radius is quite good, as I was heading in the wrong direction on my review and needed to make a quick turnaround on a narrow street. I did it in one go and the transmission quickly changed from reverse to drive without any lagging.

The suspension system is also very pliable, with just the right balance of comfort and rigidity. Now, it’s still a sedan, so it won’t be able to manage any rocky terrain, but driving on the regular roads should not be a challenge. As for the power, it does deliver, but I can’t lie, I was expecting a little more oomph with it being an A series, and the sleek silhouette of the vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, it does accelerate well, but not with that rapid effect that pushes you back in your seat.

It’s hard to drive a vehicle like this without it making a statement that speaks to both distinguishability and style. It’s neat enough to go anywhere around town, and nippy enough to head to the country. Perhaps one of the most pleasant things about owning an A series Audi is the fact that the company is committed to the design theme.

Tested model: Audi A3 Comfort 1.4

Price of tested model: $8.2 mil

Engine: 1.4 litre turbo charged

Horsepower: 150

Transmission: FWD

Fuel tank: 13.2 gal/ 60 litres

Body Type: Sedan

Competition: Mercedes-Benz A class, BMW 2 Series

Vehicle provided by ATL Automotive Ltd, 1876-754-0013, email: sales@atlautomotive.com, atlautomotive.com