Used 2017 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

The 2017 Audi A3 Sedan, Cabriolet and Sportback models have the unenviable job of squeezing the most basic parts of what makes an Audi an Audi into an entry-level vehicle. In the 2017 Audi A3’s case the goal has not only been met, but surpassed. Sporty and welcoming with a willingness to run, the A3 is a joy to drive, and the sportier S3 heightens both handling and acceleration. With standard leather seating, a panoramic sunroof and HID headlights, Audi’s 2017 A3 compact-luxury sedan gives cars like the Buick Verano, Acura ILX and Mercedes-Benz CLA a run for their money. Although the diesel engine is off the table this year, quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) remains, as does the electric A3 e-tron Sportback, a plug-in hybrid hatchback — the line’s new fuel-economy leader.

Audi’s A3 sedan for 2017 comes in four variations. The standard A3 offers a nice blend of performance and value, while the sporty S3 pushes the performance envelope. The Cabriolet provides the open-air attitude of a classic roadster, and the A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid hatchback brings an extra measure of green-themed economy. The A3/S3 are first and foremost driver’s cars, with a strong emphasis on handling, acceleration and comfort, but at a price that undercuts many family sedans. The ride is smooth and controlled, the cabin quiet at highway speeds and the seats and driving position first-rate. The S3’s nearly 300-horsepower engine and quattro AWD devour twisting turns like a starving student at a Golden Coral buffet. The base FWD A3 is now equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo good for 220 horsepower. And while we find the new 7-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic automatic to be more than up to the job, a car this size really deserves the option of a good 6-speed manual.

Audi has set a high bar with its interiors, with high-style design and immaculate fit and finish. Yet while the 2017 A3 scores well on materials and assembly, it’s a little on the bland side compared with other Audi vehicles. That said, it’s cleanly designed and suitably sporty, with simple audio and climate controls. We wish the MMI infotainment interface wasn’t placed quite so low on the console though, as it makes it hard to see which button does what until you’ve learned it by touch. Not surprisingly, rear-seat accommodations are pretty tight, especially for three passengers.

If you like the Audi styling aesthetic, you’ll love the 2017 A3’s new look. Looking a lot like a smaller Audi A6, its standard bi-xenon headlights, big sunroof and standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels make even the least expensive A3 look great. Bigger 18- and 19-inch wheel-and-tire upgrades jazz up the exterior, and S3 models offer unique styling touches to emphasize the sportiness. Under the short rear deck is a 12.3-cubic-foot trunk, which reduces to 10 cubic feet in all-wheel-drive models. Convertibles of course offer two doors, and look especially sharp with the power soft-top lowered.

BANG & OLUFSEN AUDIO
If you like your road tunes loud, Audi’s 2017 A3/S3’s optional Bang & Olufsen audio system is a must-have. With 705 watts channeled through 14 speakers, this audio upgrade doesn’t come cheap, but to an audiophile it’s worth every penny.

AUDI ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WITH STOP & GO
Audi’s commitment to safety is in full view with the available adaptive cruise control. Not only can the system regulate speed to keep a safe distance between the A3 and the traffic ahead, it can actually bring the vehicle to a full stop all on its own.

Standard on every 2017 Audi A3 are a rearview camera and rear-parking sensors, along with heated mirrors and windshield-washer nozzles. Other standard equipment for the sedan includes leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, 12-way-power driver’s seat with power lumbar, LED taillights, Bluetooth with audio streaming, 10-speaker audio with single CD player, sensors for automatic windshield wipers and headlights and a 7-inch audio/information screen controlled by Audi’s MMI interface. Opt for the sporty S3 and you’ll get more power, along with quattro AWD, 18-inch alloys, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a sport-tuned suspension.

If you’d like to make Audi’s inexpensive A3 as pricey as possible, Audi is perfectly happy to help. There are LED headlights, heated seats, an excellent Bang & Olufsen audio system, and a navigation system with Google Earth map technology. The last of those includes a clever touch pad atop the MMI knob that recognizes handwritten text entry. Dynamic safety features include active lane-keep assist, blind-zone warning, and dynamic cruise control. Lastly, S3 models can be had with a $1,500 Magnetic Ride Control suspension system featuring three driving modes: Dynamic, Comfort and Individual.

Multiple engine configurations confront prospective Audi A3 owners. Front-wheel-drive models get a new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, an upgrade from last year’s smaller engine, now boasting 186 horsepower which gets to the front wheels through a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission. If you want quattro all-wheel drive, you’ll get an engine upgrade as well: a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 220 horsepower, as well as a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic (which is also used in the econo-oriented A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid). Audi S3 models get a version of the 2.0-liter engine that sends its 292 horsepower to all four wheels. Note that both the A3 and S3 require premium fuel.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (A3, front-wheel drive)
186 horsepower @ 4,400-6,000 rpm
221 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 mpg (Sedan), 25/34 mpg (Cabriolet)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (A3, all-wheel drive)
220 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg (Sedan), 22/30 mpg (Cabriolet)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (S3)
292 horsepower @ 5,400-6,200 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900-5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 + electric motor (A3 Sportback e-tron)
Engine:
150 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-3,500 rpm
Electric motor:
102 horsepower/243 lb-ft of torque
Net output: 204 horsepower/258 lb-ft of torque
EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy: 33/37 mpg

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.