Audi A3 Convertible (2014) Review

The Audi A3 convertible arrived just as the season has shifted to summer. How does it rank as a top-down cruiser?

We like:
Superb build quality
Solid on the road
Refined engine
Smooth gearbox

We dislike:
Lacking in standard specification
Price

There’s just something about owning a convertible. The image of driving around with the top down and impressing onlookers is a very lovely proposition. Audi recently launched an updated version of its A3 convertible to the South African market and we were very keen to get behind the wheel, especially as summer was kicking into full swing.

Looks wise, this 2014 Audi A3 convertible is a very pretty thing. The previous version was based on the hatchback, which gave it a bit of a stumpy rear end. This new Audi A3 convertible looks more like the A3 sedan, which means it has slightly more space. Don’t be too impressed though, the rear legroom will only suit smaller folk, while the boot can’t swallow more than two medium suitcases. For interests sake, I timed the roof operation from closed to open which took approximately 20 seconds. The roof can be closed and opened while moving at up to 50kph.

Engine and gearbox

There are three engines to choose from. I had the 1.4 turbocharged petrol unit, but there’s a 1.8 turbo and a fast S3 convertible to choose from. With 92 kW and 200 Nm from its pint-sized motor, performance is adequate and there’s no lack in grunt. Power is driven to the front wheels through the flawless 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox. You can leave the gearbox to its own devices and it does a great job of effortlessly shifting cogs in an efficient manner.

When you’re in a hurry, you can tap the gear lever down, which engages sport mode and sharpens things up. I preferred to change gears manually. It would have been nice to have steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, but these are reserved for higher-spec models. The 1.4-litre turbo engine has a nice sound to it too, and every now and then there’s a little backfire out the exhausts. The 7-speed gearbox and engine is a great combination in terms of fuel consumption and the Audi A3 convertible will happily consume under 7L/100km.

How does it drive?

The short answer is: very well. Most convertibles suffer in terms of ride quality and handling due to the lack of stiffness a roof panel provides. From a structural point of view, the roof is a vital piece of a car’s chassis as it holds everything together and provides rigidity. Convertibles, despite some added structural reinforcement, can often rattle on bumpy tarmac and the chassis can flex resulting in shudders and strange vibrations.

The Audi A3 convertible on the other hand, feels immune to such phenomenon and you get a sense that the car is very well assembled and the build quality is of the highest order. It’s supremely smooth and I’d advise not speccing anything bigger than the 17-inch alloy wheels as these will impact on ride quality.

Specification and features

Audi is guilty of supplying cars with minimal features and then charging for options. This Audi A3 convertible is no different, and I was disappointed to note this vehicle doesn’t come with climate control, USB connectivity or cruise control. There’s a basic air-conditioner which works really well, but when you’re paying almost R500 000 you’d expect to see at least some creature comforts. This Audi A3 convertible was fitted with a few optional extras like self-parking and satellite navigation, which emerges from the dashboard in a very slick motion. Be careful when choosing your options as you can inflate the price quite easily.

Summary and Conclusion

As far as top-down cars go, this Audi A3 convertible is an excellent car. Not only does it drive exceptionally well, it also happens to be light on fuel and is superbly well built. If you’re after something that’s easy on the eye that offers commendable performance, you can’t go wrong with it. Personally I’d stick with the 1.4-litre turbo and using the price difference on the 1.8-litre turbo to kit it out with some extras, like a USB port. Also, make sure you pack your sunscreen…

Second Opinion

The Audi A3 convertible makes great sense for your average convertible buyer. It’s good looking, doesn’t shake or rattle while the top is down and with the 1.4 TSI engine it makes coastal road cruisng a relaxing and chilled event. Perfect convertible for summer, just a bit pricey.- Ashley Oldfield

Also consider:
Volkswagen Golf cabriolet
BMW 2-Series cabriolet (arriving in early 2015)
Mini Cooper convertible
Mazda Mx-5

You can see the head-to-head comparison between the Volkswagen Golf cabriolet, Audi A3 convertible and Mini Cooper convertible here.

2014 Audi A3 convertible quick specs