2022 Audi A3

　　

2022 Audi A3 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　After skipping the 2021 model year, the Audi A3 sedan returns for 2022 with new looks, new tech, and an even more efficient engine and mild hybrid system. Audi has taken what's made the relatively recently redesign A6 and A8 and distilled it into a smaller package. And small it is, as the A3 is one of the most compact sedans on sale today, luxury or not. While that makes the rear seat a bit cramped, it's a boon for driving as the A3 is easy to park and offers nimble handling.

　　Since the A3's debut, rivals like the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class and CLA sedans have made it feel a bit long in the tooth. Other worthwhile rivals include the Volvo S60 and Lexus IS. To see why we think the A3 is one of the best luxury sedans both in its class and on the road today, check out our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the A3 drive? The Audi A3 is one of the smallest sedans on the market, luxury or not. That small footprint makes it feel light and nimble whether you're out on a mountain road or maneuvering through a parking lot. The A3's steering is light and accurate, though it doesn't give you much feel for the road. The brakes are equally impressive and produced impressively short panic stops at zzdcar' test facility.

　　We like this turbocharged engine too. There's lots of low-range and midrange power, so the A3 feels quick on the street, reflected by a solid 0-60 mph sprint of 6.4 seconds. The transmission helps, with smooth, quick shifts and better around-town drivability than other small luxury cars. While Audi left more on the table for the sportier S3 and RS 3, the base A3 is still plenty fun to drive.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the A3? The A3 has a comfortable and compliant ride, though it leans more toward the firm side of comfortable. You'll feel road bumps and imperfections, but the ride is never harsh. The standard heated leather seats are supportive and comfortable in both rows, though the rear bench is a bit flat.

　　The standard three-zone climate control system is excellent, working quickly and evenly to cool the car down. The heated seats work well in cooler weather. The climate control buttons are all on a row on the dash, making them easy to operate without taking your eyes off the road. We also appreciate Audi's use of real buttons.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below