2022 Audi A3 Sedan

Audi flew us to Denver Colorado to evaluate the new A3, and during our drive up a mountain pass, the sky decided to drop down a strange white powder on the roads. This snow flurry gave us the perfect opportunity to see how the A3's optional quattro all-wheel-drive system stands up during winter driving. If you were worried about driving a small sedan like the A3 through a blizzard, fear not. Quattro offers plenty of grip, and the A3 feels more stable and comfortable than many larger cars. In fact, the A3's ride is softer and more forgiving than any of the competition from BMW or Mercedes. If you want the most comfortable car in the class, this is it.

We love the new mild-hybrid system, which adds to Audi's already commendable smoothness. If we had one small complaint, this new A3 feels less exciting than the outgoing model. Whereas the old model's 228-hp 2.0T engine posted a pocket rocket 5.8-second 0-60 time, the new one's 6.3- to 6.6-second times are more pedestrian. The steering is the typical overlight Audi affair, though it weights up a bit in Dynamic mode. This is the type of car we'd enjoy commuting in, but it's not a thrilling experience. If you want more flair from a tiny Audi, step up to the S3.

The 2022 Audi A3 represents the cheapest entry point to a new car with four silver rings on the front. As an entry-level option, it succeeds. We think the A3 is prettier than BMW's entry-level 2 Series Gran Coupe while offering a similar premium feel inside. Compared to the Mercedes entrants, particularly the CLA, the A3 feels less exciting to drive. On the plus side, the A3's cabin feels softer than either Mercedes, and the suspension isn't as firm. Of the four cars in this segment, the A3 would be the one we'd want to commute in.

一些买家的大小将发挥因素,和年代mall back seat and trunk may not suit their family needs. If this is the case, we'd recommend stepping up to the larger A4. If 201 hp doesn't seem like enough, the sportier (but costlier) Mercedes CLA could be more ideal if you can sacrifice rear headroom, or you can spend up for the Audi S3. Enthusiasts may miss the outgoing A3 and its peppy 2.0-liter turbo engine, but we think the average buyer will have plenty to love with the new drivetrain, especially the butter-smooth mild-hybrid system. In the entry-level luxury segment, the Audi A3 is the most well-rounded option.

The only reason to buy the previous Audi A3 Sedan over the Mercedes was speed. With the introduction of the new model, almost everything tips in Audi's favor. Let's begin with the practical stuff that will likely matter the most to buyers. The Merc's turbocharged 2.0-liter produces less power (201/221 lb-ft trumps 188 hp/221 lb-ft), and it's less advanced. You can see this reflected in the EPA-estimated fuel consumption figures. At best, the Merc can do 25/35/28 mpg city/highway/combined, while the thirstiest A3 only consumes 28/36/31 mpg. The Audi's 10.9 cube trunk also beats the Benz's tiny 8.6 cube trunk. As for design, we'll let you decide.

On the inside, both cars follow the same trend. You get dual screens, with one serving as the instrument cluster and the other as the central infotainment hub. Audi does a much better job, however. The digital cluster is magnificent, and the flush integration of its main infotainment screen is so much better. As a result, the Merc's interior looks clunky in comparison, almost as if the screens were added as an afterthought. It might just be us, but we'd be annoyed every time we got in the car and noticed that the infotainment screen doesn't line up with the three beautifully crafted air vents.

For the price of a top-spec A3, you can get into an A4 Premium 45 TFSI quattro - the base price of the A4 is $39,900, with an additional $2,100 for quattro. If space is the main concern, the A4 is the default choice. If you still have a small family, an A3 should do just fine. There's 12 cubic feet in the A4's trunk, slightly more than the A3's 10.9 figure. We don't think the A4 is as striking as the A3, but it is a handsome car in its subtle way. It's a bit of a sleeper, as its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It has a smaller 12-volt mild-hybrid electric system as well. The result is a 0-60 mph sprint time of 5.2 seconds. This is primarily thanks to the slick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro AWD. The A4 is even relatively frugal with EPA-estimated figures of 28/36/31 mpg.

The base A4 models aren't as high-tech as the A3. Instead of the Virtual Cockpit, you get analog dials and a seven-inch display. The 10.1-inch infotainment system is the same, but it's not as nicely integrated into the interior. You need to decide what's important to you personally. We like the new looks and interior of the A3, but there's an excellent case to be made for buying an A4 instead.