2022 Audi A3 – All You Need To Know

Audi has replaced the A3 sedan with 2022 Audi A3 which has been modernized in every fashion but retains the fun-to-drive nature that endeared us to the previous model. German rivals such as the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz A-class are fueling consumers’ appetites for small, premium sedans so it’s no wonder Audi is doubling down on its compact car and giving it a richer interior, advanced technology, and razor-sharp looks. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard, all-wheel drive is optional, and a host of driver-assistance features are on hand, which are to make the A3 a desirable choice.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Even though European models offer a variety of powertrains, the 2022 Audi A3 that’s earmarked for North America is powered by a 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 48-volt hybrid system; the powertrain is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Audi has mentioned a plug-in hybrid model, probably sporting the e-tron name, may be made available later on. On a brief test drive of the new model, we were happy to find that the playful handling that made the last generation model so entertaining was preserved in the makeover. The turbocharged four-cylinder feels perky and eager, even if its horsepower rating isn’t as high as the outgoing car’s optional 228-hp powerplant. Those who want more power should consider the also-new S3, which we review separately. When we get a chance to take the A3 to our test track, we’ll update this story with test results.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the 2022 Audi A3 should deliver 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway when equipped with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive models are rated for 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. When we get the chance to put the new A3 through our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route we’ll update this story with results. For more information about the A3’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside the 2022 Audi A3, Audi’s designers have taken the more staid styling of the larger A4 sedan and dialed in more personality. Two large air vents that flank the car’s gauge display, and a stitched panel lines the top of the dashboard. The available sport seats feature faux-suede upholstery and quilted seating surfaces. Small-car cargo space isn’t usually particularly generous but we’re expecting the A3’s trunk to provide enough space for an average grocery-store haul or a weekend’s worth of luggage for road tripping.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The A3 features either a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen or a larger, optional 12.3-inch unit. Mercifully, the A3 forgoes the brand’s new dual-screen setup that makes climate controls and vehicle driving-mode switches a digital affair. Instead, those secondary controls are handled here by good old fashioned buttons. Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit gauge display will also be standard. This reconfigurable screen is a popular feature across the rest of the Audi lineup and can display a large map in the center of the instrument cluster as well as other vehicle information, along with standard gauges for speed and rpm.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Driver-assistance technology is featured heavily on the new A3, with basics such as automated emergency braking being standard and more advanced tech coming with option packages. For more information about the A3’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites

Full Specifications

Photos