2022 Audi A3 Quattro Assessment – Glossy Sport Sedan Seeks Extra

It’s very easy to like a sporty entry-luxury sedan that has all the best dealing with strikes and doesn’t completely break the financial institution.

It’s a bit much less simple to like a automotive with Audi badging that appears to be in need of some luxurious options, options that you just little question may have – for those who simply spent a bit extra.

It’s additionally a bit much less simple to like a luxurious automotive when there are a bit too many inside reminders of the mainstream model it shares its platform with.

That’s the 2022 Audi A3 Quattro sedan I drove in a nutshell.

To be clear, the A3 on this guise nonetheless coddles. However I observed that just a few objects which might be usually a part of the bundle at this worth level had been lacking. And among the supplies appeared a bit low-rent for a $40K automotive. Sure, I do know, the common transaction worth is now excessive sufficient that possibly $42K doesn’t appear so costly. However simply because the market is a bit out of whack doesn’t imply automakers ought to scrimp on facilities – particularly when there’s a luxury-brand badge on the hood.

Then once more, possibly it doesn’t matter if the automotive is sufficient enjoyable to drive.

And the A3 is, at the very least, very a lot that.

Dealing with is good and sharp and turn-in is fast and scalpel-like. All this with out sacrificing journey – sure, it’s on the stiff facet, however there’s consolation sufficient for the every day grind. The one actual dynamic flaw right here is that the steering is a bit on the sunshine facet – which appears to be an Audi/VW trademark of late.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter (201 horsepower, 221 lb-ft of torque) will not be precisely a powerhouse of a motor (to not point out it’s good to attain into the mid-range to get peak torque) nevertheless it does the job throughout city cut-and-thrust.

The general bundle is, from a dynamic standpoint, properly sorted. Entertaining if you need it to be, calm and picked up the remainder of the time. Identical to a sport sedan at this worth level ought to be.

Too dangerous the remainder of the packaging is a bit weak. For instance, if you’d like manufacturing facility nav, premium audio, and the 12.3-inch display digital cockpit, it’s good to pay additional – and that’s even after you’ve plunked down more cash for the Premium Plus bundle.

My 2022 model-year tester based mostly on $35,900 with all-wheel drive. That worth does embrace some good comfort options, reminiscent of three-zone local weather management, Bluetooth, leather-based seats, Audi’s MMI infotainment interface, keyless beginning, LED headlights and taillights, high-beam help, heated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However it’s good to drop $3,300 extra (costs have modified a bit for 2023) for the Premium Plus bundle, which incorporates Lively Cruise Help, lane help, rear cross-traffic alert, full LED headlights, wi-fi cell-phone charging pad, satellite tv for pc radio, and satellite tv for pc radio, along with a bunch of different goodies.

The Glacier White Metallic was nearly 600 bucks, and the game suspension that helps this automotive be a lot enjoyable is a part of an $850 bundle that additionally consists of high-gloss black trim items. One other $800 bones moved the tires up in measurement from 17 inches to 18 and added all-season rubber.

As examined, with vacation spot: $42,490.

Now, to be truthful, one won’t want navigation, since Apple CarPlay and Android Auto exist. However it nonetheless felt a little bit of a letdown to search out out that manufacturing facility nav and premium audio weren’t already customary on a luxury-branded car, even factoring within the sub-$40K beginning worth.

Then once more, the A3 is classy sufficient from a driver’s standpoint that maybe I’m selecting various nits right here. It must also be famous that just a few choices on the 2022 automotive develop into customary on the 2023 mannequin – objects like full LED headlamps and a few nicer trim bits.

It could be good to get all of the bells and whistles at an affordable worth in a fun-to-drive entry-lux sports activities sedan. However because the Rolling Stones as soon as reminded us, we are able to’t all the time get what we wish. Generally, as an alternative of getting what we want, we’ll take what we are able to get.

What’s New for 2022

The 2022 Audi A3 is redesigned.

Who Ought to Purchase It

The newly promoted center supervisor. The Volkswagen GTI intender with an even bigger checking account and a necessity for 4 doorways and a trunk. The Volkswagen Golf R intender who will sacrifice a little bit of pure sport for a sedan, all whereas saving a pair grand.

[Images © 2023 Tim Healey/TTAC]

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