2015 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8 TFSI

The Audi A3 has a passionate design, with swooping lines and brilliant detail. Its wide pillars and low roofline give it a “coupe-like” feature. The “V” shape of the hood continues down and onto the inside corners of the headlights. Dynamite is a good description.
2015 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8 TFSI
2015 Audi A3 sedan (Courtesy Audi)
10/19/2014
Updated:
10/19/2014

The Audi A3 has a passionate design, with swooping lines and brilliant detail. Its wide pillars and low roofline give it a “coupe-like” feature. The “V” shape of the hood continues down and onto the inside corners of the headlights. Dynamite is a good description.

My tested A3 has a 16-valve DOHC, 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivering 220 lb-ft torque and 170 horsepower. Acceleration of 0-60 mph is reached in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is 130 mph. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

The Audi A3 handles nicely, offering you the best in a hand-eye coordination environment. It is quick to the “get-go” and although it is only a 4-cylinder, passing is done quickly, with unexpectedly fast acceleration. It handles well in the curve with no bounce or roll, offering great front to rear peripheral vision without compromising a safe position.

The cabin is quiet and well lit. The steering wheel is thick and feels strong. Cabin features are clearly legible and easily reached. Small open storage space is at a premium. 

The Audi has a wraparound dash design that invites you to explore the three-dimensional inlay concept, although, again, this driver would have appreciated a smaller, open storage space for incidentals.

Ingenuity and craftsmanship are apparent from the control button to the minimalist design of the center consol. It seemed to make the interior feel less cluttered, while giving the cabin a more elegant look.

The panoramic sunroof with retractable sunshade, plus xenon headlights with LED tail lights, and leather-surfaced seats complement a three-spoke leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, all of which are standard features. 

There is little ambient noise associated with the A3. Sound mounts are used on window regulators with sound absorbers within the door cavity, as well as a simple foam liner on the door release cable, to keep the cabin quiet. The strength of the door hinges helps to seal the inside as well. It is a well-built, sophisticated, and high-performing machine.

Audi has developed an ultra-lightweight technology, capable of carrying a heavy load. It’s porous, but its structure is such that it enhances its stability and strength.

With Audi, safety is not an option or luxury. An example is the Audi airbag system. Sensors are mounted in the front seats that monitor your seating position to help ensure that the Adaptive Front Airbags will deploy properly in the event of a collision.

There is a driver and a passenger front seat-mounted, thorax, side airbag that helps keep your upper body protected, while knee-level airbags keep you safe down below. There are also two rows of side guard head curtain airbags for additional protection. 

The Audi sound-system consists of AM/FM/SAT/CD audio with SD card reader. 

The A3 comes in 13 exterior colors of choice and three interior colors. My test car was monsoon gray metallic with an ebony black interior. 

There were several package options to add to the $29,900 manufacturer’s suggested retail price. 

The Audi MM I Navigation Package is $1,900 consisting of a CD/DVD-player with HD voice control and Audi Touch on a color driver information display.

For $500, the Cold Weather Package is available including heated front seats and exterior mirrors, and heated windshield washer nozzles. 

Warranty
4-year/50,000-mile, whichever comes first, new car warranty
12-year limited warranty against corrosion and perforation
1-year/5,000-mile, whichever comes first, first scheduled free maintenance 
4-year roadside assistance provided by a third party supplier

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or [email protected].