2024 Audi A3 Review: A Closer Look at Performance, Design, and Technology
In this comprehensive review, we delve deep into the 2024 Audi A3, exploring its performance, design, and cutting-edge technology. From its sleek exterior to its powerful engine and innovative features, this review provides an in-depth analysis of what makes the 2024 Audi A3 a standout in the luxury compact car market.
Contents
- 1 Overview 2024 Audi A3
- 2 Design and Exterior of the 2024 Audi A3
- 3 Technology of the 2024 Audi A3
- 4 Safety of the 2024 Audi A3
- 5 Interior Comfort of the 2024 Audi A3
- 6 Powerful Performance of the 2024 Audi A3
- 7 Pricing and Trim Levels of the 2024 Audi A3
- 8 Specifications of the 2024 Audi A3
- 9 Feelings about 2024 Audi A3
- 10 FAQ: 2024 Audi A3
Overview 2024 Audi A3
The 2024 Audi A3 has been turning heads and making waves in the automotive industry, and for good reason. With its combination of elegant design, impressive performance, and advanced technology, the A3 offers a driving experience that is truly unparalleled in its class. In this review, we will take a closer look at what sets the 2024 Audi A3 apart from the competition, examining its performance capabilities, sophisticated design elements, and state-of-the-art technological features.
As the smallest car in Audi’s U.S. lineup, the A3 sedan is tasked with imbuing a compact four-door package with a premium feel and upscale content, and it mostly succeeds. It wears the brand’s familiar styling language well, offers respectable levels of performance and handling, and includes some key safety and tech items as standard equipment. Audi’s ubiquitous 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is the sole powertrain; the quattro all-wheel-drive system is optional.
The snug cabin offers a brilliant driving position, and the digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen are bright and legible. Though it’s positioned against entry-level luxury models, including the Acura Integra and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, it also counts the Audi S3, its slightly higher priced and significantly more powerful and performance-focused sibling, as a prime competitor.
Redesigned in 2022, the Audi A3 receives minimal updates for 2024. The Black Optic package gets a new 18-inch wheel design, and the available HomeLink tech, which is part of the Convenience package and controls garage doors, gates, and lights in your home, is now integrated into the rearview mirror.
Design and Exterior of the 2024 Audi A3
The design of the 2024 Audi A3 is a true testament to Audi’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. From its bold and athletic stance to its meticulously sculpted lines, every aspect of the A3’s design exudes sophistication and modernity. The interior showcases Audi’s signature attention to detail, with premium materials and luxurious appointments creating an ambiance of elegance and comfort. The A3’s sleek exterior styling is complemented by thoughtful design elements such as LED headlights and a distinctive Singleframe grille, further elevating its visual appeal.
The Audi A3 has a neat, elegant design, but in terms of design, the Audi A3 is difficult to compare with rival Mercedes-Benz CLA. Of course, talking about the beautiful appearance of each car will be difficult to give a general view, each person will have their own assessments and opinions. Although there may be people who rate the A3 lower than the CLA, this is still a beautiful car.
The A3 possesses famous highlights that cannot be confused with luxury car brands, a large radiator with chrome-plated trim, headlights with LED daytime running lights, and large wheels. The design of this car is quite similar to many other seniors in the Audi family, this is also a point that is considered “protected” at this famous luxury car company.
See more: 2024 Audi A6 Review: The Epitome of Luxury and Performance
Technology of the 2024 Audi A3
Audi has always been at the forefront of automotive technology, and the 2024 A3 is no exception. Packed with a host of advanced features, the A3 offers an immersive driving experience that seamlessly integrates technology and convenience. The Audi virtual cockpit presents key information in a high-resolution display, putting essential data right at the driver’s fingertips. Additionally, the MMI touch display provides intuitive access to navigation, entertainment, and connectivity functions. With available features such as wireless smartphone charging and Audi connect services, the A3 ensures that drivers stay connected and informed while on the go.
Both A3 models feature a digital instrument cluster, with a standard 10.3-inch display that can be upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch unit as part of the Technology package on the Premium Plus trim. Opting for the Tech package also includes navigation and enables the ability to display the navigation map in the center of the instrument cluster. It also adds traffic-sign recognition, a Bang and Olufsen audio system, and six months of Audi Connect Plus with 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity.
Fortunately, the A3 does not adopt the brand’s new dual-screen setup that makes climate controls and vehicle driving-mode switches digital. However, the car’s single-screen setup means it lacks the new Audi app store that supports services such as Spotify and Amazon Music. This feature is available on the rest of the lineup, so buyers who heavily rely on tech may wish to consider the A4 or other models.
Safety of the 2024 Audi A3
When it comes to safety, the 2024 Audi A3 prioritizes both active and passive features to provide peace of mind for drivers and passengers. Advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and parking assist help enhance safety on the road, while robust construction and airbag protection contribute to the A3’s comprehensive approach to occupant safety.
The new A3 is equipped with a wide range of driver-assistance technology, including essential features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams on all models. Additionally, options like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and park assist are also offered.
For more details on the A3’s crash-test results, you can visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Key safety features include standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning, and available adaptive cruise control.
Interior Comfort of the 2024 Audi A3
The 2024 Audi A3 goes beyond just providing exceptional performance and technology; it also caters to the comfort and convenience of its occupants. With features like heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and ambient LED interior lighting, the A3 ensures that every journey is as comfortable as it is enjoyable. Additionally, thoughtful touches such as a panoramic sunroof and power-adjustable seating further enhance the overall driving experience.
If the exterior design of the car is beautiful and sophisticated, the interior of the Audi A3 is somewhat boring, although the materials used in the interior are still rated well. Audi wanted to create a car with a good driving experience, so the company “cleaned up” the center console so the driver can focus on driving.
The simplicity of the Audi A3’s dashboard is somewhat boring, but it also helps the driver focus more and basic entertainment features, vehicle control and entertainment features are simpler. The highlight on the dashboard of the Audi A3 is probably the touch screen in the center, with very simple menus.
This touch screen also displays basic parameters of the car, in addition it also helps make the interior of the Audi A3 less monotonous. However, you will still pay attention to the plastic dashboard of the car, this is a huge minus point in the Audi A3, it makes the car look bad, boring and makes many people rate it very low. A3. For a car in the luxury segment, this is a no-no.
Not stopping at some “cheap” plastic equipment, the seats on the Audi A3 are also covered with very monotonous brown faux leather. Brown seats and black plastic details create an interior that could hardly be worse for a luxury car. You can argue that the interior is simple to focus on driving, but the low interior quality is hard to justify.
Powerful Performance of the 2024 Audi A3
At the heart of the 2024 Audi A3 lies a powerful and efficient engine that delivers exhilarating performance on the road. The A3 is available with a range of engine options, including the responsive and fuel-efficient TFSI engines, which provide an impressive balance of power and efficiency. Whether navigating city streets or cruising on the open highway, the A3’s dynamic handling and smooth acceleration offer a driving experience that is both engaging and refined.
Buyers of the A3 won’t have to lose any sleep debating which powertrain to choose, as the only option is a 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 48-volt hybrid system and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is optional. While it may be down about 17 horsepower and about half a second slower to reach sixty mph compared to the 228-horsepower 2020 A3, it more than makes up for it with quick responses, aided by all 221 foot-pounds of torque available at a low 1600 rpm.
The chassis remains playful and reactive enough to make commuting entertaining and delivers a pleasant ride over most surfaces, although it won’t be mistaken for a genuine sport sedan. Those seeking heightened performance and faster reflexes are encouraged to consider the 308-horsepower S3, which shaves nearly 2 seconds off the A3’s 6.0-second 0-60 mph time.
The 2024 A3 achieves an impressive 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway fuel economy, according to EPA estimates; all-wheel drive models are rated for 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. However, in our testing, the all-wheel drive A3 actually exceeded its official EPA number, delivering a solid 40 mpg on C/D’s 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route. For more information about the A3’s fuel economy, please visit the EPA’s website.
Pricing and Trim Levels of the 2024 Audi A3
The 2024 Audi A3 provides exceptional value for drivers seeking a luxury compact car that delivers on every front. With a competitive starting price and a variety of available options and packages, drivers have the flexibility to tailor their A3 to meet their specific requirements while still enjoying the hallmark quality and performance synonymous with the Audi brand.
Premium
|
$36,495 |
Premium Plus | $40,095 |
Audi offers a range of trim levels for the 2024 A3, allowing drivers to customize their vehicle to suit their individual preferences and needs. From the well-equipped Premium trim to the luxurious Prestige trim, each level offers a unique combination of features and amenities to cater to a diverse range of discerning drivers.
The Premium trim sees no price increase for 2024, and the Premium Plus creeps up by a scant $200. That’s not enough to deter us from recommending the Premium Plus model, as the added features offer a great return on the modest price increase. Included are adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, memory seat and mirror settings for the driver, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and passive keyless entry. Adding Quattro AWD to both models is a $2000 upcharge.
Specifications of the 2024 Audi A3
2024 Audi A3 Quattro | Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan |
PRICE | Base/As Tested: $37,895/$45,390 Options: Premium Plus package (adaptive cruise control, vehicle alarm with motion sensor, active lane assist, side- and cross-traffic assist, full LED headlights, driver’s seat memory, park assist, wireless phone charger), $3300; Technology package (Audi Connect Plus, Audi MMI Navigation Plus, virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch display, Bang & Olufsen stereo, side-traffic alert), $2250; 18-inch wheel package with all-season tires, $800; Manhattan Gray metallic paint, $595; interior style package (Agate Gray grain birch wood inlays, LED interior lighting), $550 |
ENGINE | turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 121 in3, 1984 cm3 Power: 201 hp @ 6200 rpm Torque: 221 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
TRANSMISSION | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
CHASSIS | Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/10.7-in disc Tires: Pirelli P Zero All Season Tire Size: 225/40R-18 92H M+S AO |
DIMENSIONS | Wheelbase: 103.5 in Length: 176.9 in Width: 71.5 in Height: 56.2 in Passenger Volume: 88 ft3 Trunk Volume: 8–11 ft3 Curb Weight: 3509 lb |
C/D TEST RESULTS | 60 mph: 6.0 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 95 mph 100 mph: 16.1 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.89 g |
C/D FUEL ECONOMY | Observed: 26 mpg 75-mph Highway Driving: 40 mpg 75-mph Highway Range: 560 mi |
EPA FUEL ECONOMY | Combined/City/Highway: 31/28/36 mpg |
Feelings about 2024 Audi A3
The 2024 Audi A3 stands as a testament to Audi’s unwavering commitment to excellence in engineering, design, and technology. With its compelling performance, sophisticated design, and advanced features, the A3 exemplifies what a luxury compact car should be. Whether it’s the thrill of driving or the comfort of modern amenities that you seek, the 2024 Audi A3 delivers an experience that is truly in a class of its own.
Reference: https://www.audiusa.com/