Ride Report: 2023 Audi A3
I found this 2023 Audi A3 in the Executive Selection at DTW. Showing about 2500 miles on the odometer at pickup it was still in like-new condition. The A3 is classified as RXAR, or Standard Elite. To be honest, I'm not sure what else is in this class in the fleet right now, but I am seeing a lot of these A3s pop up so my guess is this is the main one. This particular unit lacked Quattro AWD and was just FWD, which was fine for the conditions. Fleet purchasing seems to be ordering these in a combination of AWD/FWD as I've seen both around.
This car was a "Premium" (base) trim, wearing a very sharp Navarra Blue Metallic (+$595) over Black Leather. The Premium car does have a fair bit of standard kit, though thankfully fleet purchasing ticked the option box for the Convenience Package (+$1900), which added driver's seat memory, the Audi Phone Box wireless charging, keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring with auto-dimming mirrors outside and inside, and parking sensors / parallel park assist. Standard equipment includes a panoramic moonroof, a digital dash, a nice 10.1" center screen (same as the A4 I recently reviewed, complete with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto), LED exterior lighting, push-button start, and other features. Total as-tested price for this unit would be $38,990 inclusive of destination fees. Annoyingly, you have to step up to the Premium Plus pack to get adaptive cruise control - which, in a sign of the cost-cutting times - is not immediately obvious in this car until you're out on the road. This car uses the SAME cruise stalk as ACC-equipped cars (including a distance control button), but try to use it and you'll be greeted with a large pop-up that this feature was not purchased.
The 201-hp 2.0T delivered nice pickup around town and superb fuel economy. As a bonus, it only requires regular gas! I averaged 38 MPG with a 90/10 highway/city split. I really enjoyed the handling and the car felt light on its feet through twisted mountainous roads but also well-planted and confident at speed. The base 17" wheels left plenty of sidewall to absorb potholes and expansion joints. I do note that the factory Goodyears emitted quite a bit of road noise over certain kinds of pavement.
I had no issue with visibility. Size was a bit more of a concern; I could not really sit behind myself and the back seat is probably best reserved for short trips or small children. I did find the front seats more comfortable than the A4 I recently rented. Trunk space was more than adequate.
The A3's infotainment system consists of a 10.1-inch central touchscreen. Features are generous and include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB-C ports, and voice command. There are no standard USB ports. Navigation is a separate option box that fleet purchasing did not tick (you are reminded of this when you click "NAV" and a big "NO LICENSE PURCHASED" warning comes up), so you'll have to use CarPlay or Android Auto for that. SXM is included as part of the convenience package (active here, surprisingly).
Overall this was a very pleasant rental and I'd highly recommend it if you can snag one especially if it's just one or two people. Editorial commentary is that I feel this is an oddball choice for fleet purchasing - as a renter I definitely wouldn't pay an extra $25 or $50 a day for the "Premium" nameplate and given the size I struggle to imagine many renters would. But if I'm traveling solo and see one of these out on the Executive Selection, I'll be making a beeline for it!
