The new A3 will slightly expand. Its length rises from 175.5 to 177.2 inches, its width is greater (71.7 instead of 70.7 inches), and it also stands a little bit taller while the wheelbase stays the same at 103.8 inches (56.3, up from 55.7 inches). In contrast to the most recent models from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it nevertheless has less staid and more angular and energetic lines than previously.
That is especially true given that Audi will not sell the sporty S line package in the United States, while the S3 will eventually feature the same design enhanced by the required four exhaust points.
In This Article...
What size is the Audi A3?
If you look closely, you can see that the sleek inside has deep door bins and a huge glovebox that provide plenty of practical storage space. Additionally, the A3 Sportback is considerably easier to live with if you have a young family because it has five doors instead of just three. A child seat is easier to load into the back.
Size
The Sportback is the largest A3 of them all, measuring 4,310mm length and with a 2,636mm wheelbase. It is also just 4mm lower than the three-door. It weighs 30 kg more because of the additional metal and doors, but depending on the model, the Sportback can tow a braked trailer weighing anywhere between 1,500 kg and 1,800 kg.
Is the A3 larger than the A4?
Inside and exterior, the Audi A3 is the smaller of the two vehicles. The wheelbase of the Audi A3 is 103.5 inches, while that of the Audi A4 is 111 inches. The Audi A3 is 176.9 inches long. Legroom inside the Audi A3 is 41.2 inches in the front and 35.2 inches in the back.
The Audi A3 is it small?
Sports sedans have traditionally been the ideal option for individuals who adore driving but are prompted by the desire to combine performance with a measure of practicality. It’s encouraging to note that certain automakers, mostly German ones, are sticking with cars despite the recent seismic turn toward SUVs. The most recent example is the brand-new 2022 Audi A3 and its sportier S3 sibling.
Even if this most recent model has increased slightly, the A3 is still Audi’s smallest four-door car. In comparison to its predecessor, it is 1.2 inches longer, 0.8 inches broader, and half an inch higher. The new A3 is nearly an inch shorter and has the same width as an E90-generation BMW 3-series, dispelling any notion that it is a little car. The interior volume is comparable, however the trunk space is around 10% smaller.
The Audi A5 is larger than the A3, right?
A5: Overview of Key Standard Features. The Audi A4 has a little more space than the Audi A3, and the Audi A5 is also bigger than the A4. The three models’ levels of luxury features, however, varied significantly from one another.
Can a family fit in an Audi A3?
“There are many positive aspects of the Audi A3 Sportback. It features a gorgeous exterior, an excellent interior that is aging nicely, and plenty of standard equipment for the price. With a variety of effective gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines, it’s also a blast to drive.”
Those seeking a hatchback with a little more status than a Ford Focus frequently choose the 2013 Audi A3 Sportback. The A3 is not more expensive to operate than less “posh” options, which is excellent news for used purchasers. Additionally, a decent one doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Although all A3 Sportbacks are well-equipped, the S line and Black Edition vehicles stand out due to their aggressive styling and glitzy alloy wheels. The entry-level SE and SE Technik models are a great choice if you don’t care about them; they offer the majority of the features you want and, thanks to their basic suspension and smaller alloy wheels, drive a little better.
The Volkswagen Golf, SEAT Leon, and Skoda Octavia are just a few of the Volkswagen Group vehicles that share engines with the A3 Sportback. This implies that in addition to the standard selection of gasoline and diesel engines, the A3 Sportback e-tron is a plug-in hybrid. Catchy.
As long as you stay away from the larger 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, all of the engines are smooth and inexpensive, and servicing costs shouldn’t be any higher than a Volkswagen Golf. Avoid the S tronic automatic gearbox as they can be problematic in comparison to the reliable manual.
The A3 Sportback has a very traditional exterior, but its interior is just outstanding and still looks contemporary today. A smart 7.0-inch media system that was quite the party piece back in its day glides electrically out of the dash. A more recent example introduced in May 2016 is required if you want features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This update also added the optional Virtual Cockpit digital instruments, as well as a somewhat updated appearance (though it’s hard to discern thanks to features like a more angular front grille and altered headlights). This is great; it looks incredibly classy and adds a particular touch to the A3 Sportback’s interior.
Of course, the A3 Sportback is a more sensible option than the three-door model. It performs admirably compared to the opposition. Its cabin (and boot) are about the same size as that of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or a BMW 1 Series. Although the A3 Sportback’s rear seats are suitable for occasional usage and feature Isofix points for child seats, families may wish to consider something a little larger.
In essence, the A3 Sportback is a fantastic small family car with a luxurious cabin and a ton of standard features.
Is the Audi A3 Sportback right for you?
The Audi A3 Sportback is a great option if you’re searching for a small family vehicle but want something that feels a little more special than a Volkswagen Golf.
It has two more doors, a little larger boot, and a variety of engines, making it more practical than the original Audi A3. The A3 Sportback is a wonderful alternative for people who don’t want a car that is too huge, but if you have a family to transport, you may want to look at something a little bigger like an Audi Q3 or A4.
What’s the best Audi A3 Sportback model/engine to choose?
When the A3 Sportback first came out, the diesel engines were the most popular, demonstrating the model’s appeal to drivers of work cars who put a lot of miles on their vehicles.
They do fit the car well; in particular, the 2.0-liter offers a ton of torque and offers a comfortable (and cost-effective) driving experience. Diesel engines, on the other hand, don’t particularly enjoy making numerous short trips and spending a lot of time in town centers.
Buy gasoline if you don’t travel a lot of miles. The 1.4-liter (and later 1.5-liter) petrol engine works well with the vehicle, providing reasonable performance at moderate operating costs. Additionally, you don’t need to search for a high trim level to find an excellent A3 Sportback. We recommend the SE and SE Technik variants because they are more cheap and come equipped with better comfort features like standard suspension and smaller alloy wheels.
What other cars are similar to the Audi A3 Sportback?
If you’re contemplating the A3 Sportback, the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class are likely also on your list of options. The 1 Series is a good driving car in our opinion, but the A3’s interior is more modern.
While the Mercedes-Benz was new, it never truly struck the mark, and that is still true today. Along with more conventional hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3, or Ford Focus, you might also think about out-of-the-box alternatives like the Volvo V40 or Lexus CT.
A3 door cars are smaller than 5 door cars, right?
There are currently several small and medium-sized hatchbacks available with a choice of two body types, each with three or five doors.
The odd number of doors is also a little misleading because, properly speaking, a five-door car is actually a four-door car.
The rear hatchback tailgate is referred to as the fifth door by automakers. Similar to this, a three-door car has two regular doors for passengers and a hatchback for cargo.
Which one suits you best? The advantages and disadvantages of both forms are discussed below.
One of the main reasons to choose a three-door vehicle over a five-door one is that they typically have a more athletic and dynamic appearance. Not by accident are most “hot hatch” performance vehicles built with three rather than five doors.
This is partially due to the fact that having two main doors as opposed to four gives the designers more creative freedom when designing the side window shape. Consider the Peugeot 208 shown in the illustration below.
Three- and five-door automobiles can have extremely distinct side window designs, as two Peugeot 208s demonstrate.
The rear passenger window on the three-door (right) is given a more angular shape and additional chrome trim because it is not required to be a part of a door.
Three-door vehicles are typically a few hundred pounds less expensive than their extra-doored counterparts.
Opening the two side doors in constrained parking areas might be challenging because they must be relatively wide (and so heavy) to provide access to the back seats.
Three-door vehicles also frequently have worse over-the-shoulder sight due to their wider rear pillars and more rakish side windows. Because of this, five-door vehicles generally make it simpler to monitor your blind spots and change lanes.
The main drawback of a three-door vehicle is that it is much more challenging for passengers in the back to enter and exit the vehicle, necessitating the use of additional agility.
Naturally, a five-door car’s biggest advantage is that, when the rear seats are folded flat, it’s easier to load cargo and luggage inside the vehicle than it is for people to enter the back.
A second set of doors also makes it much simpler to install a child seat in the back. Family purchasers would be well served to limit their search to five-door models because lifting a child in or out of a three-door car may be very cumbersome and put a lot of pressure on your back.
The SEAT Leon has differing wheelbases for its three- and five-door models, comparable to the mechanically related Audi A3.
Since a five-door vehicle often has the same wheelbase and overall dimensions as a three-door vehicle, there is typically no difference in the amount of total luggage capacity or the amount of back legroom. The five-door Audi A3 Sportback is one of the exceptions to the norm; because to its modular underpinnings, it has a slightly larger wheelbase than the three-door A3 for more rear legroom.
The front doors of a five-door automobile are inevitably much shorter than those of a three-door car, giving you slightly less room to get into the driver’s seat. Of course, the trade-off is that it’s simpler to get into the car in confined areas.
Generally speaking, five-door vehicles cost more than three-door models. For instance, the Ford Fiesta is currently 600 dollars more expensive with five doors than three.
When the seats are folded, as they are in this Renault Clio, five doors make it simpler to load and access cargo.
Nothing unexpected here. There’s no denying that five-door vehicles are more practical, and if you frequently transport multiple passengers, this is the format to choose.
But if you don’t, most three-door cars simply look and feel a little nicer, and in automobile ownership, it’s frequently the little things that matter.
The Ford Focus and Renault Clio are two recent examples of popular automobiles that are only offered in five-door configuration in order to spare the manufacturers the expense of producing two alternative body styles.
In most situations, the wheelbase and overall dimensions of the three-door and five-door versions of the same model are the similar, thus it will be difficult to notice any handling changes between the two while driving. Additionally, there is typically no change in the interior or boot space.
The Hyundai Veloster and Mini Clubman, which have one door on one side and two on the other, are two examples of literal “three-door” vehicles that have three conventional doors in addition to a tailgate, but that is a different story.
Is a five-door A1 larger than an A three-door?
The extra set of doors gives the A1 more weapons in its arsenal. However, don’t expect a roomy family vehicle; although access to the back is now better, it is still pretty small for adults. Some people may be turned off by the exorbitant price, but after spending some time inside and thinking about the top-notch technology underneath, you’ll see where your money is going.
Even though the Audi A1 5-door Sportback is still a small vehicle with limited utility, having an additional pair of rear doors gives it more versatility. It is now a practical choice for households with young children. There should be something for everyone thanks to Audi’s extensive selection of turbocharged and stop-start diesel and gasoline engines.
Although the A1 5-door Sportback from Audi is slightly larger and taller than its 3-door brother, there isn’t much of a stylistic cost. The dramatic LED lighting up front and back as well as the sharp creases have been carried over. Additionally, a variety of new alloy wheel designs in sizes ranging from 15 to 18 inches are added to the A1 5-door Sportback. The elegant inside features the same rational layout and high-quality materials throughout, as you would expect from an Audi vehicle.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The A3 Saloon’s somewhat narrow back doors are not a major problem despite the fact that it is easy to forget it is not a large family vehicle. A low roofline does, however, mean that you run the risk of bumping your head when entering and exiting.