Does the facelift make a brilliant car even better?
Exterior – Front
So, the design at the front of the new Audi A3 Facelift may not look different at first but when you look closer at it, you do notice some differences. Let’s start with the grill, this is narrower and wider than the pre facelift A3 and the badge has been replaced with a newer 2D style and has been moved to sit halfway in the grill and halfway out of the grill. Another new change is the headlights. They now have customisable LED Daytime Running Light graphics just like what the new Q4-Etron has. Again, this makes the car newer and more modern but also gives the customer a unique look to their car. The lower central air vent is also bigger, and the side vents have also grown giving it a more conventional front end.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and the changes have only been kept to some new more stylish wheel options and some new colour options that make the car feel more premium and different than before.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and there are a few changes. To start with we get the new logo and A3 lettering. The rear bumper is also different and has a fake grill affect as well as some fake side vents. The taillights also have a different graphic and just like the Daytime Running Light, the taillights can also have a different graphic. Let’s have a look at what engine and gearbox options you can have on the new Audi A3 Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, the new Audi A3 facelift range consists of petrol and diesel engines. Let’s start with the first one called 30 TFSI. This has a 1.5 litre engine with 115 bhp. this can do 0-62 in 9.7 seconds, and it is front wheel drive. It can be had with a 6-speed manual or an S-Tronic automatic gearbox, but this does heighten the 0-62 time to 9.9 seconds. The next version is the 35 TFSI. This is the same engine as the 30 TFSI but this time it has 149 bhp. this is a front wheel drive engine, and it can be had with a 6-speed manual, or an S-Tronic automatic gearbox and the 0-62 time has been reduced to 8.4 seconds. Finally, for the diesel range you can have the 35 TDI engine and this has a 2-litre diesel unit with 149 bhp. this is again front wheel drive, but it can only be had with an S-Tronic automatic gearbox. 0-62 time is 8.1 seconds which isn’t that bad either. There should be some new plug-in hybrid models to come as well as a hot S3 and the even hotter RS3. The price of the new Audi A3 Facelift starts at £29,515 which is a premium over other cars that are based on the same platform. Let’s have a look at the interior.
Interior – Design
So, climbing inside the new A3 Facelift and we do get some changes. To start with we get a lot more ambient lighting than before to brighten the interior cabin at night. It also adds a sense of preimmunises to it. The infotainment system software has also been updated slightly and we also get some better materials to again lift the feel of the cabin. Finally, another few changes include a new automatic gear selector and a slightly different steering wheel as well as a new air vent design. Let’s have a look at what the back seats are like
Practicality
So, sitting in the back of the new A3 Facelift and it is the same as the pre facelift model. Legroom isn’t that bad, and headroom is ok too. you also get your own arm rest as well as air vents and USB C ports. Let’s have a look at the boot.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot to the Audi A3 Facelift and you are welcomed to 380 litres with the seats up and with the seats down it is 1,200 litres which is the same as before. the opening is nice and wide, and you do get a flat floor with the seats folded.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Audi A3 Facelift. Well, it is a good car and the improvements do make it more premium and more customisable than before. it will also fit better in the new Audi lineup that we will see over the next few years. The real question is though, is it as good as the Golf which has the exact same engines and technology all for £2,000 cheaper. It also feels exactly the same inside as the A3 as the build quality has improved and the boot is the same size as the A3. You can also get the golf as an estate which you can’t do with the A3. Personally, the Audi is good, but it isn’t £2,000 extra good. If you can find a good deal on the A3 then I would choose that, otherwise I’m going to pick the golf.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 13/15
Model | Audi A3 S-Line 35 TFSI |
Engine | 1.5l Turbo, 149bhp, 0-62 = 8.4 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | 7 Speed S-Tronic Automatic Gearbox |
Price | £33,265 |
On Sale | Now |
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