By Jonathan Crouch
Introduction
It's an MK4 Audi A3 - but not perhaps, quite as you know it. Here, we look at the Saloon version, which in this second generation form has been designed to even more effectively bring the brand's cool elegance within the reach of those who might find the only slightly larger A4 model a bit of a stretch. We all like the idea of good things in sensibly sized packages. In essence, that's what this is. This was the second A3 Saloon design Audi had brought us, launched in 2020 and offering a completely digitalised interior and cutting-edge infotainment, plus special light signatures, various electrified engines and a suite of innovative assistance systems enveloped in a completely redesigned, yet immediately recognisable body.
History
The compact executive saloon. Every business carpark is stuffed with the things, most of them up-market German-badged offerings like Audi's A4 and A5, BMW's 3 Series or Mercedes' C-Class. Cars of this kind are now generations old and have got progressively larger, more sophisticated - and more expensive. So much so that room has been created for a market sector to slot in beneath them. A segment with four-door saloons offering pretty much the same thing, but in a slightly more compact form. Cars like this one, Audi's A3 Saloon.
The Ingolstadt brand first launched this model in our market in 2013 and from the start was well aware of the need to sell this one carefully. After all, it's traditionally been true that any four-door smaller than something A4/A5, 3 Series or C-Class-sized tends to get pretty much ignored on these shores. So in 2013 the marketeers had to pitch this three-box A3 as offering almost everything a buyer might get in their fully-fledged A4 model - just in a marginally smaller package. The thinking person's compact executive saloon if you like. The approach worked and the first generation A3 saloon carved out a loyal following. But towards the end of that first 8V version's production life, it began to look a little frumpy compared to the rival premium-badged compact four-door coupe models that sold to much the same type of clientele - the Mercedes CLA and, latterly, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Hence the need for a slightly different approach from its 8YA A3 Saloon replacement.
This 8YA-generation A3 Saloon sold in its original form until the beginning of 2024, when it received a facelift. It's the pre-facelift 2020-2023 versions of this model we look at here.
What You Get
In a market where it competes with four-door coupe designs like the Mercedes CLA and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, it was essential that this second generation A3 Saloon look a little more dynamic than its predecessor. It does.
In contrast with the A3 Sportback, the Saloon's body line continues in a straight line up to the rear bumper. This emphasises its length - 15cms longer than the Sportback - and makes for elegant proportions in profile. The concave surface under the broad body shoulder further accentuates the shape's rear quattro 'blisters' and the lower sills, while the roof line, which tapers down from the B-pillar and finishes in a spoiler on the boot lid, draws inspiration from coupe design. The MK2 model A3 Saloon is sleeker than its predecessor (the aero Cd factor is down from 0.29 to 0.25). And it's a little larger than its predecessor too, 4cms longer at 4.5m in length, plus it's 2cms wider and 1cm taller.
If you happened to be familiar with the previous generation A3 Saloon, you might not expect much change in terms of interior space, given that the wheelbase is the same as that old car, but the slight expansions in width and height improved elbow room and, thanks also to a repositioned driver's seat, added an extra 2cms of front headroom.
As with the MK4 A3 Sportback, there are big changes in the cockpit compared to the previous 8V model. This 8YA design gained a minimalist auto gearshift lever and digitalised 'black panel' technology. A 10.1-inch centre-dash MMI touch display was standard and can be used to adjust the settings of the media selection, navigation, and extensive connect services. Also standard was the 10.25-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instrument cluster we had seen offered as an option on the previous model.
In the rear part of the cabin, as with the original A3 Saloon, there's reasonably comfortable space for a couple of adults but there's slightly more shoulder room in this 8YA design. A six-footer can sit behind an equally lanky driver, but it's a fairly snug fit and, as you'd expect from this class of car, three across the back only really works if the people concerned are of school-going age. Out back, boot space is much as usual in an A3 Saloon, offering a 425-litre capacity. There's also a ski hatch for longer items. If you need more room, then you can flatten the split-folding rear bench for almost as much versatility as you'd get with the Sportback hatch variant.
What to Look For
Most owners in our survey seemed happy, but there are various things you need to look out for. As usual with this class of car, look out for electrical system malfunctions, including problems with the powered windows, the central locking and particularly the infotainment system. These issues might be caused by faulty wiring, sensors or software glitches. Make sure that your phone Bluetooth pairs-up as it should and that the phone-mirroring systems work correctly.
We have heard of engine misfires, particularly with the petrol models. And a few transmission issues have been reported, including jerky shifting, delayed engagement and transmission fluid leaks. Check for all these things on your test drive. We've heard of oil leaks, attributed to issues with gaskets, seals or the oil pan. And some owners have reported clunking or rattling noises coming from the suspension system, which can be indicative of worn out components like bushings, struts or control arms. There have been a few instances of turbocharger boost pressure problems. And some owners have had concerns about the brake system, so look out for squeaking or grinding noises on your test drive. There have been a few cooling system failures and some owners have reported air conditioning and heating troubles. There have been a few exterior trim and seal problems to. If the car you're looking at has a sunroof, check for water leakage.
Otherwise it's just the usual things. Check the alloy wheels for scuffs, the interior for child damage and make sure you insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
Replacement Parts
(approx based on an A3 Saloon 35 TFSI 2020 - Ex Vat - autodoc.co.uk) An oil filter costs in the £5-£43 bracket. An air filter's in the £8-£53 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £22 to £57 bracket for a set; for a rear set, it's around £22-£58. Front brake discs sit in the £26-£51 bracket; for a rear pair, you're looking at around £20-£51. Starter motor prices vary widely - from £144-£488, depending on brand. As do costs for an alternator (anywhere in the £144-£510 bracket we found).
On the Road
Everything about this car is designed to deliver on the concept of a Volkswagen Golf with just a touch more polish - and the driving experience it offers is no exception. If you're an A3 regular - or a graduate from a Golf - you'll find that this Audi now has even more of the mature drive dynamics you'll be looking for, helped by a fully digital at-the-wheel experience and the optional embellishment of hybrid power and self-driving tech. Differences with this MK2 A3 Saloon design initially seem quite subtle, primarily centred around slightly sharper steering and handling that's a little more responsive than the original version. That's thanks to a wider track and the introduction of a 'modular dynamic handling control system' that, based on steering movements, predictively co-ordinates interplay between all the car's dynamic systems - like a conductor with an orchestra - so the car can always be one step ahead of the drive inputs you want to make. As before, you'll need to avoid the lowest-powered petrol and diesel variants if you want the brand's suppler, more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension set-up.
Ah yes, engines: they evolved too with this 8YA model: the two volume petrol units - a 110PS 1.0-litre three cylinder and the 150PS 1.5-litre four cylinder powerplant most will want - both feature Audi's mild hybrid MHEV electrified tech, provided you choose them with the 7-speed S tronic auto transmission that most A3 folk tend to want. That MHEV set-up sees an integrated 48-volt 'BAS' belt alternator starter-generator power a 12-volt main electrical set-up in which a 48-volt compact lithium-ion battery in the boot stores energy harvested via a 'KERS' kinetic energy recovery system. The resulting WLTP-rated efficiency improvements over the old 8V model aren't massive, but they enable fuel and CO2 readings to remain very competitive - a typical 35 TFSI S tronic variant manages up to 51.4mpg and up to 126g/km. If you don't care about Friends of the Earth, you can do better with the alternative conventional 30 TDI diesel model of course - which in 8YA form developed 116PS using a larger, more efficient 2.0-litre unit with the brand's 'Twin Dosing' tech. There's also a 150PS 2.0-litre 35 TDI model option. If you purely prioritise performance, you're more likely to be drawn to the S3 quattro performance variant, which, as before, uses a 310PS 2.0-litre TFSI turbo petrol unit, which with the 8YA design was exclusively mated to S tronic paddleshift auto transmission. At the top of the range was the fiery 400PS RS 3 Saloon, which featured a classic 2.5-litre five cylinder engine.
Overall
So, how to sum up? Well, this second generation A3 Saloon might not look that much different from its predecessor at first glance, but it'll feel so once you take a seat inside and get to grips with the advanced media connectivity. We also think the introduction of extra electrified engine technology in this 8YA-generation model is very significant. Otherwise though, the recipe is much as it was with the original A3 Saloon and that'll see many continuing to like the statement this four-door A3 makes on their behalf. It's smart and elegant without being showy. Nor does it unduly advertise its status as the smallest sedan Audi had ever made. Most who see you at the wheel will simply think you've bought an A4 from this period and those who do spy the different boot badge will probably think you've chosen wisely. So there's very little not to like.
Unless you were looking to make some sort of style statement: this car won't turn the heads of passers' by like a rival Mercedes CLA or BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, but then that very discretion is a fundamental part of its appeal. As with any other A3, it's as at home in Belgravia as it is in Brixton, offering a democratisation of automotive luxury without a dilution of desirability. If you doubt that, you've only to get behind the wheel, for the interior is where this design really strides apart. You could be in a luxury car - and of course, in many ways, you are. Just one that perhaps better reflects the times we live in.
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