Audi is known for crafting beautiful interiors, and if its new entry-level 2006 A3 isn’t as plush as its larger luxury sport sedans, it is nevertheless constructed with high-quality materials. At a glance, our A3’s cabin appeared dour dressed all in black, but the real aluminum trim, silver-stitched leather upholstery, and light gray woven mesh headliner brightened the environment just enough to appear upscale. The dashboard is a single piece made of a soft material that we wish also covered the door panels and center console, and the controls are laid out in a logical fashion. All four power windows offer one-touch up and down operation, a feature difficult to live without once you get used to it.

In terms of safety, the 2006 Audi A3 is packed full with front, front side, and side-curtain airbags, and the active front head restraints are intended to reduce whiplash injury in the event of a rear collision. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), however, those head restraints didn’t work well enough for the A3 to score better than “Acceptable” in rear impact crash tests. In offset frontal- and side-impact tests, the A3 scored a “Good,” giving it an overall “Silver” rating from the IIHS. The NHTSA has not yet tested the 2006 Audi A3.

If there’s anything to dislike about the A3’s interior, aside from its size, it’s the optional navigation system control, which Audi calls a Multi Media Interface. We call it a Major Mo’fo Irritant. For more vitriolic criticism of the MMI, see the next page.

*photo courtesy of Audi