ROAD TEST
Audi A3’s hefty price tag lessens appeal
The Audi A3 range has been given a facelift, making it an even more compelling — albeit pricey — proposition, writes Lerato Matebese
The Audi A3 range was given a midlife surgical sculpturing at the end of 2016 to bring it much closer to its A4 sedan sibling. Cosmetically, little has changed, save for the new headlight clusters, while the front valance and grille have also received some sculpting. The pre-facelift model was anything but dated, hence the minute changes. To put it in another perspective, a standard BMW 318i automatic will set you back R488,100. As such, I am of the view that the smaller 1.0 TSI S tronic, at R429,900 presents better value. The debate rages on as to whether one should buy an A3 over an A4 and, with the two models now almost overlapping, it does blur a line that was once so defined. Chatting to a mate of mine who owns a previous-model A4, he says he would strongly consider the A3 sedan. I am of the view that the middle models in the A3 sedan range don’t seem to offer good value for money, particularly once you start ticking those boxes. The TDI we had on test in particular could easil...
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