3 Things Edmunds Doesn’t Like About the 2023 Audi A3
While the 2023 Audi A3 is easily one of the best luxury car values available today, it isn’t without some shortcomings. Those looking for a road trip car may consider the small cabin and trunk space dealbreakers when choosing a new compact sedan. And while the A3 is known for reliability, no standard maintenance plan means keeping up with routine checks will drive up the cost of ownership.
Poor rear passenger space
The 2023 Audi A3 offers a great experience up front. The standard heated, leather-wrapped front seats make driving the A3 enjoyable. Unfortunately, those in the back seats won’t have such a good time. The rear seat is flat and hard, making it uncomfortable for even short trips across town. But even if the rear seat comprised of plush pillows and built-in massage, the lack of legroom would make it a tough sell. Try getting some friends in the back seat for a long road trip, and fights over the front passenger seat will start at the first stop.
The Audi A3 offers no standard maintenance package
While similar competition offers included maintenance packages, no such service exists for the 2023 Audi A3, according to Edmunds. While it certainly isn’t a requirement for any automaker, Audi’s commitment to ‘driving luxury’ would be well suited to a standard maintenance plan. The Audi A3 may be the entry point for many buyers, but customer satisfaction goes a long way. Offering such a service with the A3 could prove to bolster brand loyalty, an area where Audi lags behind the competition.
A smaller trunk than some competition
In any compact sedan, cargo space is an important factor. However, this is another area where the 2023 Audi A3 falls short. While the 10.3 cubic feet of trunk space in the A3 is on-par with the IS, it’s behind its closest competition. Trunk space in the Mercedes-Benz CLA measures at 11.6 cubic feet, while the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe overs over 15 cubic feet in the trunk. Those looking to buy a compact luxury sedan may be willing to give up one cube for the Audi. But anyone looking for a truly affordable grand tourer will have a hard time turning away from the extra space in the BMW.
The Audi A3 is still a good-value luxury sedan
All of these cons aside, the 2023 Audi A3 isn’t a luxury car to shy away from. The starting price sits at just over $37,000 making it more affordable than most of its competitors. Only the Acura Integra carries a lighter price tag than the German compact. And for your money, the Audi A3 comes with a wealth of premium tech features.
Both digital instrument clusters and a voice-activated infotainment system come stock with each new A3. Leather and heated seats are bolted into every compact Audi sedan as well. And with Quattro all-wheel drive setting a high bar out of the box, the Audi A3 delivers a value that is tough to beat.
