2020 Audi A3 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The name Audi has become synonymous with prestige for a reasonable price. And the 2020 Audi A3 is no disappointment in that regard. In fact, a quick Internet search will yield results where the only complaints are on the lack of trunk and rear seat space - common problems for vehicles in this class. The cabin looks as luxurious as it feels though, and the turbocharged engine provides an enjoyable amount of power. Sporty yet comfortable, this car's ride is sure to please.

What's New for 2020?

The 2020 Audi A3 only sees a few changes in standard and optional features, and this is a good thing, as some options are now standard. These have been shuffled around since two trim levels (the Prestige and Titanium) have been eliminated. This leaves only the Premium and Premium Plus, so features from the eliminated trim levels have been divided up between the remaining ones. Also gone from the lineup is the A3 Cabriolet (the A3's convertible variant).

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Audi A3 – The Pros

1. Swift Acceleration

The 2020 Audi A3 is a spunky little speedster that has no problem with getting up to speed on the highway. In fact, the A3 makes it from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. The initial thrust takes a moment when going from a standstill, but once the A3 makes it up to speed, it is totally smooth sailing from there. The A3 is one of those vehicles that can merge onto and pass other vehicles on the highway with ease, something that you should expect from a luxury sedan.

2. Secure Brakes That Feel Natural

The brake system is impressively strong. The brakes are incredibly responsive when just scooting about town, and they feel totally natural when you have to apply them. Even when you're going at a higher speed and need to make a panic stop, the A3 does so in a safe distance. It has been tracked as going from 60 mph to a total stop in 118 feet, which is better than average for this segment.

3. Precision Steering

Steering the 2020 Audi A3 also feels quite natural. The steering wheel is appropriately weighted and will feel great in your hands. You will not have to put a lot of effort into maneuvering the vehicle through tight parking lots or on winding roads, but the amount of feedback it gives you will feel more than adequate. You will always know just where this car's wheels are tracking. Overall, it is a standout performer in this regard.

4. Sporty Handling

The handling capabilities on the A3 round out an overall magnificent driving performance. The all-wheel drive system provides a ton of grip on the road, which makes the vehicle feel really secure. You can round through turns without feeling any body roll, and the suspension does a remarkable job of handling any imperfection that the road throws at it.

5. A Comfortable Ride Quality

Ride quality is something that should be superb in a luxury vehicle but is lacking in some competitors. The 2020 Audi A3 nails it with a well-mannered ride that will adhere to your every request. Some big bumps can be felt, but they are nothing too terrible. The vehicle handles all other bumps in the road with ease, and even going down a country dirt road feels comfortable.

6. Minimal Noise Intrusion

Not a lot of noise makes its way into the cabin. The A3 is pretty well-insulated, and the most you will ever hear is a quick engine growl upon startup and a little bit of wind and road noise when speeding down the highway. Otherwise, expect it to be silent. You won't have to crank your music up to hear it or yell out conversations with backseat passengers.

7. Easy-to-use Controls

The controls inside of the 2020 Audi A3 are quite user-friendly. A lot of luxury automakers put complex controls into their vehicles in order for them to look 'next-gen'. Audi does not play around with that. Instead, the controls are intuitively and logically laid out. The MMI infotainment controller is super easy to use, and the built-in handwriting recognition features works flawlessly and comes in handy (mind the pun). The on-screen graphics are large and easy to see thanks to the screen's raised position on the dash.

8. Excellent Outward Visibility

Get into the cockpit, adjust your highly-adjustable seat, and take in the broad outer view. The slender roof pillars and wide front and rear windshields make for an excellent all-around view. Blind spots are minimal. However, the backup camera and blind spot monitoring system can be helpful.

9. A High-quality Interior Design

This is definitely an Audi car. The 2020 Audi A3 has an absolutely gorgeous interior composed of high-quality materials. Nothing shakes, rattles, or rolls while the vehicle is in drive. There are no awkward panel gaps, and the soft touch surfaces are pleasant. Nothing looks cheap. Even the buttons and knobs have some bulk to them, letting you know that they were made to endure a lot of use.

10. A Lot of Standard Tech Features

Audi gives you a ton of standard features on the A3. Both trim levels have a lot on them. The Premium has everything from a 10-speaker sound system to dual-zone climate control. The Premium Plus gives you even more luxury features, such as standard blind spot monitoring and wireless charging for your digital devices.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Audi A3 – The Cons

1. A Lack of Bolstering Up Front

One issue that owners take with the 2020 Audi A3 is that the front seats are a little deficient when it comes to bolstering in the seats. While they do offer a decent amount of support, more bolstering is typical in luxury vehicles. You can sit in the seats for long journeys, but bolstering would add exponentially more comfort and support.

2. A Crowded Rear Seat

All-wheel drive eats up some of the space in the rear. Things will feel too crowded for taller adults, as head and leg space is restricted. Also, getting into and out of the rear seats can be complicated, especially for taller folks, as they will have to stoop to get in and awkwardly twist their bodies to get out. The back seat is better suited for children, but do not think about trying to fit car seats back there. It is too crowded for rear-facing child car seats.

3. Minimal Trunk Space

Cargo space also gets eaten up by the all-wheel drive system in the 2020 Audi A3. It only has 10 cubic feet of cargo space, which is one of the smallest trunks, period. Bulkier items will require you to fold down the rear seats. Don't even think about trying to fit a single stroller in here - it's basically impossible. Even golf clubs are a struggle.

4. A Lack of Small Item Storage Space

The A3 does not offer a lot in the way of storage areas for small items. The glovebox, door pockets, and bin in the console are all pretty small. You will not want to store too many things inside of the A3. It just is not well suited for things like full-size laptops or multiple large cups.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Audi A3 vs. 2020 Audi S3

The 2020 Audi A3 sees direct competition from one of its siblings, the 2020 Audi S3. The S3 has a great driving performance thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, well-tuned suspension, precision steering, and beautiful interior design. It echoes the A3 in many ways. But it also has minimal trunk and rear seat space. However, more features come standard, such as keyless ignition and parking assistance. Also, it gets a more powerful turbocharged engine. The A3 has a 2.0-L that gets 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque while the S3's 2.0-L gets 288 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Even with that extra power, fuel economy barely drops on the S3.

2020 Audi A3 vs. 2020 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

The A3 also sees stiff competition from the 2020 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. This variant is incredibly powerful with a 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque standard engine. Also, it has standard all-wheel drive, standard adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition, run flat tires, and a ton of small-item storage areas. The rear seat is also pretty spacious. On the other hand, cargo space is still pretty limited, and outward visibility is hindered by thick roof pillars.

Conclusion

The 2020 Audi A3 might be a bit too compact for some people. It definitely is not ideal for someone who needs to haul a growing family around. Even a single person might want something a tad bigger. However, what it lacks in space, the A3 makes up for in user-friendliness and chic design elements. There are definitely a few big cons and a good number of pros to owning the A3. It will likely cater better toward those who do not need to put other adults in the rear or bulky items in the cargo area. The driving performance is a huge selling point and will make it the right car for certain buyers.