New A class vs A3

[AI1694]

My partner is interested in the new A Class. We will be going for some test drives soon. I also told her to consider the current A3. Either car would be petrol.

How do the two compare? Anybody have experience of owning both, or one after the other?

Cheers

[AI1694]

Nobody I take it?

We’ll be taking an A200 and maybe an A220 for a drive hopefully this coming weekend.

[Silenoz]

Test drove a new A class when I sold my SLC last year, following having had an A3 as a hire car in Mallorca a week earlier.

I bought the A3. Much better drive for me, and I preferred the interior - especially the seats in the S Line. Have had it for 10 months now and am still delighted with it. 1.5 TFSi with S-tronic auto box. Quick enough, economical and comfortable.

[AI1694]

Silenoz said:

Test drove a new A class when I sold my SLC last year, following having had an A3 as a hire car in Mallorca a week earlier.

I bought the A3. Much better drive for me, and I preferred the interior - especially the seats in the S Line. Have had it for 10 months now and am still delighted with it. 1.5 TFSi with S-tronic auto box. Quick enough, economical and comfortable.

I also prefer the A3 (never been a Merc man) but I must say the new A Class is growing on me and is definitely an improvement over the previous model.

Interestingly, I’ve been doing some reading on ownership and there seems to be a lot of niggly issues with the A Class. Especially the lane assist system and infotainment.

[va1o]

The A3 feels really really really dated now, it's a 7 year old design. The A-Class on the other hand is much more modern and probably has the best interior tech of any sub £30k car on the road today. Fairly sure there is a new A3 due pretty soon.

If you want a new small Audi now the A1 or Q3 would be a better place to spend the money to at least get something current generation.

I'd also suggest taking a look at the new BMW 1-series as that's available to order now and is aimed head on at the latest A-Class.