Audi A3 first drive | Facelift for fleet segment favorite

Audi’s A3 has always been a firm favourite in the premium small car sector, and now a mid-life refresh gives it greater appeal with a heavily revised interior and improved levels of standard equipment. The arrival of a new plug-in hybrid powertrain later this year should reaffirm its position as a strong fleet choice.

Overview

Since the launch of the original model in 1996, the A3’s mix of a classy exterior, premium badge and quality, and impressive technology has ensured it has been a major success for the German manufacturer.

When the fourth-generation came to market four years ago, however, Audi made a slight mis-step as the small car came in for criticism for an interior which was generally deemed to be below the standard Audi customers had become accustomed to.

In the media briefing for the facelifted 2024 model, the manufacturer acknowledged this and said it had made addressing it a priority for the update.

Changes also extend to the exterior, with new bumpers, grille and new LED daytime running lights leading the revisions.

Customers have a choice of two bodystyles: Sportback – essentially a five-door hatchback - and saloon. Sportback is expected to account for 81% of registrations.

Three engine choices are currently available – a 1.0-litre petrol in the 30 TFSI, a 1.5-litre petrol in the 35 TFSI and a 2.0-litre diesel in the 35 TDI, with a choice of either a manual or seven-speed S tronic automatic in each powertrain.

Later in the year, Audi will launch the Sportback with a 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid with an expected electric-only range of around 62 miles.

Three is also the magic number for trim levels, with the range starting at Sport, going through S line and topping out at Black Edition.

Pricing for the current A3 range starts at of £28,920 for the entry 30 TFSI Sport (manual) Sportback, rising to £37,965 OTR for the 35 TDI Black Edition S tronic saloon.

Comfort and practicality

While the changes to the exterior are relatively subtle, it is a different story inside the cabin.

Across the range, the interior now features a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit driver display, a new centre console featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wider chrome air vents, new textured materials and heated front seats with electric lumbar support.

The cabin is further elevated by a new LED interior lighting pack, which includes new lighting around the centre console, cupholders, doors and footwells.

The overall effect has achieved Audi’s aim of elevating the A3 back to the top of its class with its fit and finish: it really does feel like an upmarket car.

Interior space is obviously unchanged from the pre-facelift model, but this means it continues to offer class-competitive room for passengers and luggage.

Safety and technology

As well as the improvements to the dashboard outlined in the previous section, other enhancements to the standard spec include the inclusion of three-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, Audi app store and smartphone interface, and wireless phone charging.

A variety of optional packs are available, including a Technology Pack (£1,495) which includes a reversing camera, adaptive cruise assist, head-up display and Sonos premium sound system.

All A3s come with a decent level of driver assistance systems as standard, including front and rear parking sensors, adjustable speed limiter, advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor, hill-hold assist and lane departure warning and camera-based traffic sign recognition.

Mid-range S line adds 18-inch alloy wheels (Sport is fitted with 17-inch wheels), sports suspension, front sports seats in twin leather with embossed ‘S’ logo, flat bottom three-spoke multifunction sport steering wheel, and customisable multi-colour interior ambient lighting.

In addition to this, Black Edition features 19-inch alloy wheels, black exterior styling pack and Audi Beam LED puddle lights.

Driveability and efficiency

The entry engine is the 116PS 1.0-litre petrol in the 30 TFSI, which offers CO2 emissions of upwards of 110g/km and WLTP combined fuel economy from 47.9mpg.

These efficiency figures are matched by the best-performing petrol 35 TFSI model, despite it offering 150PS.

The diesel 35 TDI features a 150PS unit, with CO2 upwards of 126g/km and economy from 54.3mpg.

We drove the 35 TFSI with the S tronic gearbox and, as could be expected, it offers a decent driving experience: the steering is accurate and nicely weighted, while there is ample acceleration through the smooth powertrain for most tastes.

It’s no hot hatch – drivers wanting that experience should look towards the revamped S3 – but the A3 offers a decent mix of driving appeal and a comfortable and composed ride, while refinement is also impressive, with little road or wind noise entering the cabin.

Company car tax and running costs

The real fleet star – the 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid – is yet to arrive, and at the time of writing Audi has not released pricing or efficiency details.

However, with CO2 of 21g/km, its Volkswagen Golf PHEV relative sits in the 8% benefit-in-kind tax band. Expect the same from the Audi.

The manufacturer expects the 45 TFSI e to be the most popular powertrain in when it is launched, taking 33% of Sportback registrations.

The next most popular – and currently available – will be the 35 TFSI with 32% of sales. In Sportback S line trim, this has CO2 emissions of 127g/km, putting it in the 30% band and meaning a 20% taxpayer would face monthly bill of around £170.