The great interior debate...

[deci]

After only 100 miles or so in the 8v I have to say that the interior is like no car i've ever been in. Its absolutely superb. The quality of materials, the intuitive layout, the chunky s-line wheel... its light years ahead of the last A3. There is a great consistency in the design throughtout the whole of the interior, and there's loads of fantastic little details and flourishes.

Any doubters I knew (who'd only seen it in pics) have been completely won over having sat in it.

 

[viperfire]

Having sat in both the golf and the a3. Its amazing just how much better the a3 is. Materials are better quality but the overall look is just so much better. Audi have really excelled with the interior

 

[h5djr]

Having sat in both the golf and the a3. Its amazing just how much better the a3 is. Materials are better quality but the overall look is just so much better. Audi have really excelled with the interior

That's your personal opinion. Mind is not the same. I have also sat in both cars and think quality wise they are on a par but design wise I personally prefer the interior design of the Golf. I really love the interior of my current A3 but it looks like this one (my eighth) will be my last.

 

[viperfire]

Its not just my opinion. Check out lasts month car magazine review which also states the Audi is of higher quality. I know you have to justify the golf because of space issues but it is not of the a3 quality sadly and neither should it be to be honest.

 

[bobwilson]

I'm sorry but the A3 interior is awful. I have to agree with others on here, someone else mentioned the A3 interior looks like a Ford Pinto. We wanted an A3 sportback and were excited to go view the cars, but one of the biggest downsides for us is the interior. We were actually quite shocked. Cheap looking plasticky air vents on a 'premium' car? The rising screen feels a bit gimmicky and isn't as smooth as we'd expect, and you can see the ugly square cut out in the dashboard where it was inserted in the factory! It's annoying because we really wanted an 'upmarket' car like the A3. We test drove one and love the quality feel of both cars but it's such a shame about the design of the A3 interior. It seems to be aimed at teenagers.




golf mk7 looks far better:

 

[bobwilson]

That's your personal opinion. Mind is not the same. I have also sat in both cars and think quality wise they are on a par but design wise I personally prefer the interior design of the Golf. I really love the interior of my current A3 but it looks like this one (my eighth) will be my last.

What do you think you'll get next?

 

[PjDali]

I'm sorry but the A3 interior is awful. I have to agree with others on here, someone else mentioned the A3 interior looks like a Ford Pinto. We wanted an A3 sportback and were excited to go view the cars, but one of the biggest downsides for us is the interior. We were actually quite shocked. Cheap looking plasticky air vents on a 'premium' car? The rising screen feels a bit gimmicky and isn't as smooth as we'd expect, and you can see the ugly square cut out in the dashboard where it was inserted in the factory! It's annoying because we really wanted an 'upmarket' car like the A3. We test drove one and love the quality feel of both cars but it's such a shame about the design of the A3 interior. It seems to be aimed at teenagers.

View attachment 12338


golf mk7 looks far better:
View attachment 12340

Respectfully disagree - Golf is virtually the same as the last one and the one before that.......the new A3 has at least broken the old style dash mould and it would seem to be a bit like marmite.

You either love it or hate it.


Can't wait to pick up my new SB and the dash is one aspect of the car that was a huge attraction.

Good luck with whatever you end up buying as it doesn't seem like you like the new A3 much.

 

[pluves1]

After only 100 miles or so in the 8v I have to say that the interior is like no car i've ever been in. Its absolutely superb. The quality of materials, the intuitive layout, the chunky s-line wheel... its light years ahead of the last A3. There is a great consistency in the design throughtout the whole of the interior, and there's loads of fantastic little details and flourishes.

Any doubters I knew (who'd only seen it in pics) have been completely won over having sat in it.

To give any substance to this statement you'll need to enlighten us as to which cars you have owned in the past.

 

[noidea]

I do like the golf but don't think having the sat nav lower than the top of the dashboard is particularly safe. Likewise with the touch screen

 

[slade777]

Isn't the golf and the new Leon pretty much the same inside.

At least the Audi has a different interior to both. Also all that piano black in the Golf surrounding the screen in the golf is dreadful. If you've had piano black before you'll understand. Scratches and dust galore!

Each to there own. Obviously VW have the right idea, If you don't like the Audi most will like the golf and vice Versa.

 

[bobwilson]

I do like the golf but don't think having the sat nav lower than the top of the dashboard is particularly safe. Likewise with the touch screen

I think you can put the sat nav directions into the dash i.e. inside the steering wheel MFI the same as the A3, can't you?

I wouldn't have thought you're meant to operate any screen whilst driving, and wouldn't have thought having a screen block partial view like in the A3 to be particularly safe.

 

[bobwilson]

the new A3 has at least broken the old style dash mould

Why fix what ain't broke? I guess the new A3 is aimed at teens, just wish they had made it more classy instead of 'fun' on the inside..

 

[mack71]

I'm sorry but the A3 interior is awful. We test drove one and love the quality feel of both cars but it's such a shame about the design of the A3 interior. It seems to be aimed at teenagers.

View attachment 12338


golf mk7 looks far better:
View attachment 12340

My ****!

 

[PjDali]

Why fix what ain't broke? I guess the new A3 is aimed at teens, just wish they had made it more classy instead of 'fun' on the inside..

I'm 43 and long past my teens (sadly)

I happen to think the new A3 dash is clean looking, uncluttered and most of all I like it. So do a hell of a lot if reviewers and none of them seem to just hitting the legal age to drive.

What gets on my tits is reading folk on an 8V section bumping their guns at horrible it looks inside. As I suggested before if you don't like it then don't buy it. It's simple but please don't be posting your opinion and trying to suggest if you like the A3 you must be some teeny bopper. You've pretty much ripped the A3 apart yet so I get you don't like it.

Go buy a golf if that's what floats your boat.

 

[mack71]

I'm 43 and long past my teens (sadly)

I happen to think the new A3 dash is clean looking, uncluttered and most of all I like it. So do a hell of a lot if reviewers and none of them seem to just hitting the legal age to drive.

What gets on my tits is reading folk on an 8V section bumping their guns at horrible it looks inside. As I suggested before if you don't like it then don't buy it. It's simple but please don't be posting your opinion and trying to suggest if you like the A3 you must be some teeny bopper. You've pretty much ripped the A3 apart yet so I get you don't like it.

Go buy a golf if that's what floats your boat.

Well said that man, I would feel a bit of an idiot going onto a Golf forum and ranting about its interior. Audi made the decision to revamp the interior unlike the VW, like people have already said, you either like it or don't, ranting here isn't going to change Audi's design ethos. The fact that this years order books are nearly full says it all.

 

[Kaza]

I've recently moved over from a MK2 Leon TFSI to an A3 S-Line.

I have to say that I used to love the interior of the Leon, and the car as a whole, but when I test drove the A3 it was totally different.
It certainly felt a lot nicer to be in the A3, better quality. When I stepped back into the Leon afterwards, it felt and looked cheap.

But, you get what you pay for with cars. I'm a lot happier with the A3 and glad I made the move.

 

[bobwilson]

I have to say that I used to love the interior of the Leon, It certainly felt a lot nicer to be in the A3, better quality. When I stepped back into the Leon afterwards, it felt and looked cheap.

Agreed, the Leon interior feels cheap

Audi made the decision to revamp the interior unlike the VW

You mean VW group made the decision

please don't be posting your opinion

Lol, love this It's a forum, and you've joined a thread entitled "the great interior debate..." ... loving how you posted your opinion and ended by saying people can't post their opinions. ROFL

I would feel a bit of an idiot going onto a Golf forum and ranting about its interior

That's because it has a classy interior.

Lets face it, A3 s-line has the better exterior and badge, golf GT has the better comfort and interior. So with either car, there is a trade off..

I have been on the VW forum and posted about the external appearance, we're still deciding between both cars so it helps to be in forums.. while talking we feel free to post about our opinions along the way.. sorry if it upsets anyone, but we're only being honest. I don't think it's healthy to censor opinions.

If someone says "everyone agrees with me.. see.." and all those who disagree are told to keep quiet, what's the point in that

 

[hittchy]

I think you can put the sat nav directions into the dash i.e. inside the steering wheel MFI the same as the A3, can't you?

I wouldn't have thought you're meant to operate any screen whilst driving, and wouldn't have thought having a screen block partial view like in the A3 to be particularly safe.

The screen is something that concerned me with both the new 3 series and A3. It also sticks up in the 3 series even though it isn't motorised.

In fact, it doesn't obstruct vision at all. It was more noticeable in the A6/A7 than A3. The dash design is also different so it's lower. On my current A4, the MMI is in a similar position, but the whole dash is higher. I felt I had far more visibility in the A3 than any of the others.

I also found changing radio station in the Golf very distracting at times, as you had to concentrate on rough roads to ensure you touched the right part of the touchscreen. The A3 MMI was intuitive and user friendly in comparison - to move down 3 stations it was 3 clicks.... simples.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[mack71]

Nope, no trade off in style or comfort with the A3 and you think Audi is told what to do by VW?

 

[hittchy]

Lets face it, A3 s-line has the better exterior and badge, golf GT has the better comfort and interior. So with either car, there is a trade off..

I agree entirely about the Golf's superior comfort. Disagree about the interior though. My last Golf was fine for the first few thousand miles, then squeaked and rattled like no other car I've owned. Every few months I'd pull off trim pieces and pack it with anti-rattle tape. I had the part number programmed into my phone for ease of ordering at the VW dealer!

Time will tell on this one....

 

[bobwilson]

Nope, no trade off in style or comfort with the A3 and you think Audi is told what to do by VW?

Disagree with you here. Audi has the classier exterior style and badge, golf the classier interior and comfort. This is why we're finding it hard to decide between the two cars. If there was as clear a winner as you suggest, we'd have put our £30k down on an A3 without further thought. We're going fully loaded by the way. And yes, VW group own Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda. Many of the parts, includng the MFI, are the same between the golf and a3.

 

[bobwilson]

I agree entirely about the Golf's superior comfort. Disagree about the interior though. My last Golf was fine for the first few thousand miles, then squeaked and rattled like no other car I've owned. Eery few months I'd pull off trim pieces and pack it with anti-rattle tape. I had the part number programmed into my phone for ease of ordering at the VW dealer!

Time will tell on this one....

Agreed about the comfort. Presumably you didn't have the mk7 golf as it's only just come out..

 

[hittchy]

Agreed about the comfort. Presumably you didn't have the mk7 golf as it's only just come out..

No, I had the MK5 but test drove 3 versions of the MK7 before ordering my A3. It felt tight on the test drive but in the back of my mind I couldn't help worrying it would end up like my MK5 after a few months. I may well be worrying over nothing. My brothers MK6 also rattled, even though the VW dealer claimed they'd fixed this after the MK5.

I hope they have sorted it as I quite fancy a MK7 GTi next in a couple of years.

 

[bobwilson]

No, I had the MK5 but test drove 3 versions of the MK7 before ordering my A3. It felt tight on the test drive but in the back of my mind I couldn't help worrying it would end up like my MK5 after a few months. I may well be worrying over nothing. My brothers MK6 also rattled, even though the VW dealer claimed they'd fixed this after the MK5.

I hope they have sorted it as I quite fancy a MK7 GTi next in a couple of years.

very interesting, i guess theres no way to know without having a mk7 for a year

btw, what do u do? i often wonder how ppl afford to buy new cars so often!

 

[mack71]

Have owned 4 Audi's and not a rattle or squeak from any if them. Made them easy to sell on privately and the look on potential buyers faces was always priceless when you went for a near silent test drive in a 3/4 yr old car! Strange Bob, same parts, on rattles and feels cheaper inside and the other silent. Each to their own, cars are a waste of money and buying new is definitely nuts in the current climate. If you want to save money go for the golf it's a far better choice than most other small family cars. I just like the Audi style and can't see past it! I have a friend who bought a Seat recently and every other sentence as he demonstrated it to me was "it's basically an Audi" etc etc. he was right of course, it looked near identical to my Audi from 8 years ago! We all have preferences and if I let my head rule my heart I'd buy a golf, but I'd never let it make me buy a Seat!

 

[h5djr]

What do you think you'll get next?

A good question. As I'm having increasing problems walking any distance and use a mobility scooter on some occasions I may well go for a Estate next time. When dismantled my current scooter can just be fitted into my current Sportback, but according to the brochures the length of luggage area of new Sportback is 32mm less and the Golf VII is 50mm less, so I doubt whether either of them out take it. Perhaps a new Golf Estate would be the answer. Unlike some, I have no problems driving around in an estate!

The other option would be a Golf hatch and with one part of the rear seat folded but I never tried it that way. When the weather improves I am going to see how that option works in the current Sportback. I will be sorry not to have another A3 but in my opinion have ruined the interior.

 

[Chester Draws]

I'm sorry but the A3 interior is awful. I have to agree with others on here, someone else mentioned the A3 interior looks like a Ford Pinto. We wanted an A3 sportback and were excited to go view the cars, but one of the biggest downsides for us is the interior. We were actually quite shocked. Cheap looking plasticky air vents on a 'premium' car? The rising screen feels a bit gimmicky and isn't as smooth as we'd expect, and you can see the ugly square cut out in the dashboard where it was inserted in the factory! It's annoying because we really wanted an 'upmarket' car like the A3. We test drove one and love the quality feel of both cars but it's such a shame about the design of the A3 interior. It seems to be aimed at teenagers.

View attachment 12338


golf mk7 looks far better:
View attachment 12340

Bob, you mentioned the smoothness of the screen , what other cars have you seen with smoother systems . You also mention the square cut out due to the manufacturing process - how would you suggest they manufacture it then , it has to be accessible for repair or replacement somehow .

 

[Chester Draws]

Forgot to mention your comment about the air vents , looks like the Golf has a nice slab of Silver sprayed plastic from the central consul up to and including the satnav screen , I don't see this on the Audi .

 

[hittchy]

very interesting, i guess theres no way to know without having a mk7 for a year

btw, what do u do? i often wonder how ppl afford to buy new cars so often!

Nothing special, I'm afraid. I work in education. I usually keep my cars for between 2 and 3 years but always make sure I get a healthy discount when buying. It sometimes works out marginally more expensive to change after 2 years rather than 3 and I have a tendency to get bored easily!

 

[deci]

It seems to be aimed at teenagers.

Now that's a condescending statement. How does thoughtful, uncluttered and original equate to 'designed for teens'? If anything its much more upmarket and grown up than the 8p. What is it that makes you come to that conclusion out of interest?

Its better quality than the Golf in terms of finish and in my opinion, the controls and layout are much easier to use while on the move. The only things that i don't like are; the mirror, which is smaller than the one in my old A3, and secondly; I much preferred the foglight switch on the old A3 - the new one has two separate buttons unlike the pull-out control of the 8p which was easier to use without looking.

Someone asked what I've owned in the past: A3, 3series, 2 Golfs, Polo. All great cars but none come close to the new A3.

 

[viperfire]

I wish the golf fan boys would **** off onto a golf forum. This is Audi sport not VW sport

 

[h5djr]

Forgot to mention your comment about the air vents , looks like the Golf has a nice slab of Silver sprayed plastic from the central consul up to and including the satnav screen , I don't see this on the Audi .

Having sat in both the Golf SE and the GT models the centre console on the SE is actually a dark coloured brushed stainless steel rather than the polished black plastc in the GT. Personally I much prefer the SE version and the polished plastic would put me right off buying a GT model. Audi have used polished black plastic trim the A3 before now as well as various version a shiny silver aluminium.

The interior finished is very much a personal thing. I much preferred the A3 when the trim round the vents was black and not shiny metal. The same applies to the screen setup. Some prefer the MMI and pop-up screen, others prefer the touch screen. Speaking to my friend who is a sales manager my local dealers he says that people who look at the interior of the new A3 seem to either love it or hate it. There does not seem to be much in between. He says at the moment it's about 50/50 love and hate, which did not happen with previous A3s.

 

[Vertigo1]

I wouldn't have thought you're meant to operate any screen whilst driving, and wouldn't have thought having a screen block partial view like in the A3 to be particularly safe.

What do you mean "operate"? You don't operate the screen in the A3 as it's not touch (thank god). All the controls are under your left hand and are intuitive enough to operate without looking. In the Golf, you have a touch screen which is set low in the dashboard, requiring you to take your eyes away from the road to press on-screen buttons which you won't be able to "feel" without looking. Very unsafe IMO.

And the A3 screen doesn't block the view ahead at all. I have the seat as low as it will go and the top of the screen is still just below the base of the windscreen, so it's easy to glance at without taking your eyes majorly away from the road ahead but doesn't block the view one bit.

As with all cars, the interior of the A3 is going to be down to personal preference and some will love it and some will hate it. I do applaud Audi for doing something a bit different this time and personally I like it, although it won't be to all tastes. As for the Golf, my opinion is that they've done the same with the interior as the exterior - play it safe and boring. They know that most Golf buyers will be the type of people who hate change or anything "different" so they're too scared of alienating them to change anything. The whole of the mk7 looks like a slightly facelifted mk6 to me, which in turn was a slightly facelifted mk5.

What I will say is that, whilst I respect everyone's opinions, from what I've seen on various forums, in reviews and from those I've spoken to, the vast majority of people are impressed with the A3's interior and those who dislike it are in the extreme minority.

 

[h5djr]

I wish the golf fan boys would **** off onto a golf forum. This is Audi sport not VW sport

Debate is no longer allowed on Audi Sport.net. It is only open to drivers who love the new A3 and anyone who has been driving an A3 for 16 years and loves their current A3 but who has not fell madly in love with the latest A3 is not allowed to make any comments. One of the reasons I like ASN is because not everyone thinks the same and it leads to lively debates.

 

[Chester Draws]

I think the new interior is a brave move compared to the exterior but refreshingly so . I looked at the BMW 1 series before the Audi and did prefer the BMW to sit in and I like the seats in the M Sport more . However my mind was made up due to tax / lease costs / options / running costs etc and I am really looking forward to the Audi now .

Time will tell if Audi have it right but the pop up screen does seem to have left the opposition dead in the water and looking dated in my view .

 

[bobwilson]

Strange Bob, same parts, on rattles and feels cheaper inside and the other silent.

The VW golf mk7 GT feels more silent on the inside than the A3 sportback s-line. We've done numerous test drives.

If you want to save money go for the golf

Negative. We're looking at a fully loaded golf GT vs a fully loaded A3 s-line. Both are the same price, £30k.

if I let my head rule my heart I'd buy a golf, but I'd never let it make me buy a Seat!

The seats just don't cut it for us in terms of quality feel / interior, and they don't have the tech we want.

 

[bobwilson]

I looked at the BMW 1 series before the Audi and did prefer the BMW to sit in

Agreed, the BMW has a nicer interior than the A3. However, it lacks the exterior looks and tech, so it's off our list unfortunately.

Time will tell if Audi have it right but the pop up screen does seem to have left the opposition dead in the water and looking dated in my view .

Disagree, I think it looks dated. It's the A3 interior and ride comfort that is a question mark for us at the moment unfortunately.

 

[bobwilson]

What do you mean "operate"? You don't operate the screen in the A3 as it's not touch (thank god). All the controls are under your left hand and are intuitive enough to operate without looking.

Nonsense, of course you have to look to know what you're selecting.

In the Golf, you have a touch screen which is set low in the dashboard, requiring you to take your eyes away from the road to press on-screen buttons which you won't be able to "feel" without looking. Very unsafe IMO.

You've missed my point. I was saying it's unsafe to operate (e.g. LOOK at) any screen whilst driving. In the golf and the audi, you would do this while stationary, or use voice recognition.

And the A3 screen doesn't block the view ahead at all. I have the seat as low as it will go and the top of the screen is still just below the base of the windscreen, so it's easy to glance at without taking your eyes majorly away from the road ahead but doesn't block the view one bit.

In your opinion. The BMW has heads-up display like in military aircraft, so you literally don't look away from the road.

They know that most Golf buyers will be the type of people who hate change or anything "different" so they're too scared of alienating them to change anything.

Sophistry.

The way to come up with successful designs is to learn and improve, not to change what ain't broke.

What I will say is that, whilst I respect everyone's opinions, from what I've seen on various forums, in reviews and from those I've spoken to, the vast majority of people are impressed with the A3's interior and those who dislike it are in the extreme minority.

How would you know this, have you done a survey? Doesn't look like it if you check around here... there are plenty of threads where people are complaining they've bought audi's for the past 15 years for example, but the new a3 interior has put them off so much they have to look at finding another brand. Myself and my friends went for test drives in the golf and a3, since they're both going to be the same price - but we were dissappointed with the interior design of the a3. We're still considering the A3 though because the exterior is better than the golf. BUT people that don't like it, don't seem to be in such a minority as you claim.

 

[bobwilson]

I wish the golf fan boys would **** off onto a golf forum. This is Audi sport not VW sport

Easy there, the mod already gave you a warning in another thread.

I'm not a golf fan boy, just trying to decide between a3 and the golf, both of which we'd pay £30k for fully loaded. It's quite telling that people here are getting so upset- if you were so confident of the car you speak, why get upset? I've seen the same arguments pitched in the golf forum, and don't recall anyone becoming like that.

 

[bobwilson]

looks like the Golf has a nice slab of Silver sprayed plastic from the central consul up to and including the satnav screen , I don't see this on the Audi .

No it doesn't, you're thinking of the SE (which still looks nothing like you describe in person), you want to look at the GT.



I'm not a golf fan boy, just prefer a classy style cabin over ''fun'' style cabin any day. I prefer the A3 exterior over the golf, just wish it had a classier cabin.