Driven: Audi A3 Saloon 35 TFSi Review

The Audi A3 has been fettled, refined, and updated. It has more sculpture, a bigger face, and even more technology. But is it any good? We took a week to review the arguably prettier saloon version to find out.

In the world of Audi, there are many unique names for things that have more mundane names elsewhere. Quattro means all-wheel-drive. Avant means estate. In the case of the A3, Sportback means hatchback, although to confuse matters, it means quasi-coupe in the brand’s SUV range. It’s odd, therefore, that the saloon version of the A3 is simply called the A3 Saloon. It’s a mundane name for what I believe is the more interesting version.

The latest A3 saloon is the second time Audi has slapped a boot on the A3. The last version was a handsome car and looked, at least to my eyes, better than the hatch (sorry, Sportback). They have repeated the same trick with the new version. The slightly extended proportions and subtly bolstered arches give the A3 saloon a muscular stance without looking over the top. From the side and rear three-quarters, I’d argue it’s the best-looking saloon in Audi’s line-up.

Sadly, the same can’t be said for the front, an angle it shares with the Sportback variant. It’s by no means ugly, but park it next to the last-gen car and the design looks a little bulbous and fussy. The rear, on the other hand, is sleek and aggressive and is only really let down by a pair of fake vents in the bumper — a design trend all carmakers are guilty of. Overall, the look of the A3 Saloon is rather pleasing and suitably upmarket without being ostentatious.

On the move, the A3 is surprisingly fun. I say surprisingly because this isn’t the hot version of the A3. The 35 TFSi we had for this test comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that kicks out around 150bhp. It’s hardly hardcore stuff, but it feels quicker than the 8.7 second 0-62mph sprint time would suggest and never felt underpowered. It is more than rapid enough for most people, returns decent economy, and rides well whilst feeling taught and direct in the bends. It managed to put a smile on this pedantic petrolhead’s face on more than a few occasions, which is impressive for a regular model from a brand that favours safe and numb driving dynamics.

The interior is typical Audi and has more than a hint of modern Lamborghini about it. The MMI (Audi’s media and navigation system) is one of the best in the business and easy to use. The A3 has a large central touchscreen but, thankfully, keeps real buttons for the climate controls. This makes it far easier to live than some of the more expensive models in Audi’s line-up that ditch tactile switches in favour of a bevvy of screens.

The now-ubiquitous Audi Digital Cockpit is included, which gives all the info you could possibly need in an easily readable way. I love how you can minimise the dials and display a large map, meaning navigation distracts you from the road far less.

The size of the A3 is one of its major selling points for me. Its dimensions are similar to an A4 from a decade or so ago, a size that works well on UK roads. It never feels oversized on the move, and parking is easy. In my week with it, I never felt like I was missing the extra size of an A4 or the convenience of a hatchback. The interior has plenty of room for four adults, and the boot is easily large enough for a weekend away or a weekly shop for the whole family.

The Audi A3 Saloon is an appealing choice for small families or people covering decent miles who don’t need the extra space that an estate (or Avant) would bring. It makes more sense in the UK than the A4 Saloon and looks better, too. The interior quality is top-notch and actually easier to live with than some of the more expensive Audis, thanks to the inclusion of real buttons.

It also looks pretty good in red.