Does the A3L have more space compared to the A3?

[ZaneMarie]

Audi A3L is the extended version of the A3, with a wheelbase of 2680mm. The A3 is a hatchback, while the A3L is a sedan. Real space evaluation: A 170cm-tall tester sitting in the front row of the Audi A3L, after adjusting to the optimal seating position, can obtain a headroom of one fist plus four fingers. In terms of rear space, the same tester can get a headroom of one fist plus two fingers and a legroom of more than two fists in the rear of the Audi A3L. The trunk capacity of the Audi A3L reaches 425L, and the rear seats can be folded down in a split ratio, significantly improving the trunk's loading capacity. The A3 has body dimensions of 4343/1815/1458mm and a wheelbase of 2630mm, while the A3L measures 4554/1820/1460mm with a wheelbase of 2680mm. Both the 2021 Audi A3L and A3 are equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine from the EA211 series, with a maximum power of 150 horsepower/5000-6000rpm and a maximum torque of 250 Nm/1750-3000rpm. They are matched with a Stronic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

[AdalynnMarie]

I previously drove a friend's A3, and later got an A3L myself. In terms of space, especially the rear legroom, the A3L is noticeably more spacious. The standard A3 has a wheelbase of 2629mm, while the A3L is extended to 2680mm—all those extra 5cm go to the rear seats. Last time I took my parents to the suburbs, three adults sat in the back with more than a fist's distance between their knees and the front seats, completely unlike the cramped feeling in the A3. The trunk size is about the same, fitting two suitcases, but the extended part mainly improves passenger space. If you frequently chauffeur elderly or children or need the rear seats for long durations, the A3L's space advantage is crucial—after all, having room to stretch your legs makes the ride less tiring.

[MacEvelyn]

Over the weekend, I test drove both the A3 and A3L at the dealership, and the difference in rear legroom was immediately noticeable. In the A3's back seat, my knees were almost touching the front seats, and it became even tighter after adjusting to a proper driving position. Switching to the A3L, I gained about 7-8 cm of extra knee room in the same seating position. The salesperson mentioned that the 50mm longer wheelbase is entirely allocated to the passenger compartment, making it particularly friendly for taller passengers. Last time during a colleague gathering with my car, four colleagues all around 1.8 meters tall commented that the rear didn't feel cramped. However, the trunk and storage compartment sizes remain largely identical, showing that the space optimization focuses solely on passenger comfort.

[VonMaci]

Data doesn't lie: The A3L boasts a wheelbase of 2680mm compared to the A3's 2629mm, with rear legroom increased by 70mm. The actual seating experience is completely different—the standard version's rear seats are barely adequate, while the extended version allows you to cross your legs comfortably. When I tested it at 178cm tall, my knees were just three fingers' width from the front seatback in the A3, but a full palm's width in the A3L. This advantage is especially noticeable on long family trips, with parents not complaining about leg numbness even after two hours in the rear seats. Of course, the width and headroom remain largely the same, and the trunk capacity is identical—the extension purely enhances passenger comfort.