Audi A3 hatchback 2016 review
When it comes to premium hatchbacks, few come close to the Audi A3. So to make sure the A3 remains at the top of the tree, Audi has given its posh hatch a little make over. Don’t worry it’s nothing too major. It’s got a new wider grill, it’s got new bumpers and new sleeker headlamps, whilst at the back it’s got a new bumper and new lights with optional sweeping indicators. Now the changes are slight to say the least but it doesn’t detract from the fact that the A3 is still a very smart piece of kit.
Inside there are even fewer changes than on the outside, the most noticeable change is the addition of Audi’s virtual cockpit. We first saw it on the Audi TT and it’s appearing on every subsequent generation of Audi and looks really great and is really easy to use. Elsewhere there are no changes whatsoever and it’s a good thing as the A3’s interior is a model of simplicity. There’s some really nice design touches like the screen that can go up and down at the touch of a button, there’s some really high quality material’s used and it’s just a lovely place to be.
The amount of standard kit has been upgraded too with a face lift SE cars get 16 inch alloys, cruise control, Zenon lights and Bluetooth. Sport adds larger wheels, broad seats and dual zone climate control, while S-line adds body kit and LED front and rear lights. Storage wise there’s a large glove box, a couple of good size cup holders, a cubby under the arm rest which can act as a place to improve your phone’s signal if you specify the Audi’s phone box and the door bin passes the car bottle test.
In the back there is a good amount of knee room. Head room is a bit tight and if you’re over 6 foot you’re going to struggle. There are three sets of seat belts in the back, I do struggle to believe you can fit a person in the middle however. There are easily reachable isofix points though and overall yes it is a little bit tight in the back but if you want more room than you can opt for the Audi Sportback which has five doors.
The boot is slightly less than you’ll find in the mechanically identical Volkswagen Golf or the Seat Leon but the difference is negligible. There’s a moveable boot floor and when it’s in its highest position and you fold the rear seats you have a flat loading area. If you want more space then go for the five door Sportsback.
It’s under the bonnet where the biggest changes lie though there’s a brand new 2 litre turbo petrol with manual and auto gearboxes and front and all-wheel drive, but it’s a bit outshone by the brilliant 1.4 litre turbo petrol. The diesel there’s a 1.6 and 2 litre and it’s the 1.6 that’s best on paper with O2 emissions of 99g per km and a combined fuel economy of 74mpg. But we’ve got another brand new engine - the 1 litre turbo charged petrol engine which is 999cc to be precise, 3 cylinders and a tiny little turbo charger. It’s really rather good actually, it’s not lightning fast 0-62mph in almost 10 seconds but it feels brisk enough and it feels really revvy and urgent.
The Audi A3 may never have been as fun to drive as a BMW 1 series but it’s as enjoyable enough with light direct steering and agile handling. The A3 feels a little more fun with the 1 litre engine because it’s a lighter engine and consequently the whole car is lighter and it means that when you turn it into a bend it just feels a lot more responsive. For a conventional hatchback this car is surprisingly good fun to drive. It’s backed up with light and accurate steering, a slick 6 speed gear box and high refinement models. Honestly you really wouldn’t know there is a 3 cylinder engine in there it’s so quiet and smooth. Despite Audi’s claims, the 1 litre isn’t particularly frugal especially when you drive it with gusto like it wants to be driven, the 1 litre is good news for company car drivers, but if you’re after a more resolved all-rounder then the 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6 diesel are better. Standard kit is fine so try to not go through the options list and tick every single box. One option that is worth choosing though is the £450 virtual cockpit, however if you go for an S-Line it’s worth deselecting the sports suspension as it lowers the ride height by 10mm but it is stiff. Our recommendation would be to ask the dealer if you can have the standard suspension as it rides bumps beautifully. And beautifully is just the right word to describe how the A3 will fit into your life. It’s classy, well made, good to drive and has that desirable Audi badge on its nose. Yes the VW Golf may be a little bit more practical and the BMW 1 series more fun to drive but the A3 which practically invented the premium hatchback segment 20 years ago, is still a class act!
