Audi A3 allstreet: closer to an SUV, with a 12.8-inch screen, 3D parking view and new assistants

After its update, the Audi A3 allstreet firmly settles into the space between a hatchback and a compact SUV. Formally it is still part of the A3 family, but the allstreet version sits 30 mm higher than the A3 Sportback, has a raised seating position, and its exterior trim pushes it visually closer to crossovers. For Europe, it answers buyers for whom the Q3 is already too big or too pricey, while a regular A3 feels too much like a plain hatchback.

The biggest change is inside. Audi has merged an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch MMI Touch display into a single curved screen. The dashboard gets a wider decorative inlay running from the instrument cluster to the passenger door, with carbon fiber, Dinamica microfiber and two textile finishes on offer. The center console has been reworked too: the phone tray now faces the driver and supports 25W wireless charging.

The driver-assist suite has moved noticeably closer to Audi's larger models. Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus works at speeds up to 210 km/h, combining adaptive cruise control with lane guidance while factoring in lane markings, road edges and surrounding traffic. On the highway, it can change lanes automatically once the turn signal is engaged, and in town it can bring the car to a stop at a red light and pull away again once it turns green. Another key addition is the use of online data from other vehicles, letting the system hold its lane even where markings are barely visible. This feature is free for the first three years after delivery, after which an extension is required.

Parking functions have also been expanded. Four wide-angle cameras generate a 360-degree 3D view with panning and zoom. Park Assist Plus and Park Assist Pro can steer, accelerate, brake and shift gears on their own while parking. With the Pro version, the driver can step out of the car and control the maneuver through the myAudi app — useful in tight spots where opening a door is difficult. There's also trained parking: the car remembers up to five routes of up to 50 m, such as pulling into a courtyard or garage, and then repeats the maneuver automatically.

Digital services have become another way to generate revenue. Through Audi Connect, owners can check location, mileage, fuel level, the status of doors, windows, lights and the parking brake, and control the locks and auxiliary heater remotely. Through Functions on Demand, buyers can purchase extra audio features: improved bass, balance, compressed-file quality and virtual surround sound.

The A3 allstreet hasn't turned into an off-roader. What it does show is how premium compact models are surviving the crossover era: a little taller, noticeably more modern, and packed with features that used to be reserved for cars a class above.