2016 Audi A3 Facelift Review

Audi has been on a product offensive for a while now, launching new cars across segments, and also creating new ones at the same time. So while its rivals were busy launching hatchbacks as their most affordable models, Audi went ahead and surprised us by launching the A3 sedan, adding more ‘value’ to its most affordable car, given the Indian buyer’s penchant for three-box saloon cars. The A3 has just been given a mid-life facelift, in a bid to freshen up the car’s ageing design, while also adding more features to offer more to the compact luxury car. 

We’ve just sampled the car in Germany, and there’s a lot of things that interest us. The updated A3 is part of Audi India’s 2016 strategy where they intend to launch as many as 10 new cars this year. Here’s what the car feels like from where it matters the most, behind the wheel.  

The first and most obvious thing you notice about the 2016 Audi A3 is the revised design. The grille is now the updated one we’ve seen on the new Q3 and Q7 and looks sharper. Corresponding with that, the headlamp design is sharper too, and are Matrix LED units which give the A3’s face a more aggressive look apart from offering better illumination. 

The bumper is more chiselled and looks sportier now thanks to matte silver accents at either end. Audi’s trademark dynamic turn indicators have found their way into the A3 as well, and along with the sporty looking twin-diffusers and revised tail light design the rear end of the A3 looks a lot more appealing. Mechanical changes are limited though, and the A3 still retains its short overhangs which give it a distinct character. 

Inside, the A3 now gets the S3’s sportier looking, flat-bottomed steering wheel which gives it a hint of sportiness. That aside, the doorsills are now illuminated and the interiors all-black instead of the previous dual-tone theme. The highlight inside the refreshed A3 though is Audi’s virtual cockpit, which is getting increasingly commonplace across all Audis. The conventional clocks have thus made way for the 12.3-inch TFT screen that offers you all you need to know from behind the wheel. And that includes two views – one is a conventional view with a large speedometer and tachometer, while the other lets you choose between a large display for either the infotainment or the navigation system.  

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The car’s dimensions are exactly the same as before, meaning space and comfort are the same as before. Front seats as we’ve seen earlier are comfortable, but space at the rear is a bit of a squeeze for taller occupants. The large transmission tunnel remains the same as before, which means seating three abreast on the backseat isn’t a good idea. Interestingly for the co-passenger the A3 also get the retractable 7-inch display for the MMI, which is also simpler and quicker to use than before. In terms of features the A3 doesn’t disappoint, coming with the usual array including electrically adjustable front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, Audi’s Drive Select apart from the new Matrix headlights. 

The refreshed A3 will be offered with two engines in India. Expectedly, the diesel will be the same as before, which is the 2.0-litre TDI mill now churning out 150PS and 340Nm of torque. Internationally the same engine is on offer in a different state of tune where it produces a higher 184PS and 380Nm, though at this point we are not sure if the engine will be offered in that state of tune here. The engine produces peak torque 1750rpm and 3000rpm in both versions, which makes overtaking a rather easy affair in either car, but it’s only in the lower powered version that the turbo lag is noticeable with its lower outputs. Engine noise tends to seep into the cabin in either version though, not something you expect from a car from this class.

The petrol motor powering the A3 is a new 2.0-litre TFSI unit, which replaces the older 1.8-litre TFSI engine. The new engine produces an impressive 190PS and 320Nm of torque, and the petrol engined A3 is thus capable of a claimed 0-100kmph time of 6.7 seconds, and a claimed top speed of 244kmph. Power delivery on the new engine is a lot punchier thanks to the higher output, and revs pile on rather quickly, making the petrol A3 more fun to drive than before. The delivery is a lot linear than before too, and the engine responds well to inputs, feeling lively no matter where the tacho needle is pointing.

The diesel and petrol engines are mated to Audi’s 6-speed and 7-speed S Tronic transmission respectively. Gear shifts are quick whether in ‘drive’ or ‘sport’ mode, which makes for a delightful experience, especially since the new A3 now gets paddle shift levers.  

As far as dynamics are concerned, the facelifted A3 remains unchanged, which is a good thing. The A3 feels focused in terms of handling, with a planted feel around corners. Unsurprisingly, the 184PS diesel version that gets Audi’s all-wheel drive Quattro system provides better grip than the front-wheel driven petrol version. That said, we would have liked a bit more feedback from the steering. We couldn’t really put the A3’s ride quality to test on Munich’s smooth roads but considering that it runs the same setup, the facelifted A3 should offer a good ride quality like the car it replaces.

Like the pre-facelift model, expect the 2016 A3 to be priced competitively, especially since Audi plans to manufacture the 2.0-litre TDI unit in India. However, with the additional features and cosmetic changes it might demand a small premium over the current model.

So with the few cosmetic changes and a longer features list will the 2016 A3 be worth buying? We surely think so. It is a sharp looking car that is fun to drive and luxurious at the same time. Most importantly, it is a great car for someone who wants to buy his first luxury car.