Update from my side, in case somebody finds it useful.
Had a change of heart about two months ago after waiting for Style version for about 3/4 of a year and was clearly told they can't promise me I will be driving it before the Summer. Made spec changes in between for which the dealer told me shouldn't affect delivery. Canceled the order and got full refund (I imagine they will make a big profit by keeping the order and selling the car). Ordered an A3 Saloon and am driving it two months and one day (!) later. The chip shortage no-nos were made clear, parking sensors and ambiental lighting would delay the order, so I got a discounted rear view camera instead.
Going for this car with a Golf budget the experience for me was essentially: in Golf you go for nice-to-haves, in A3 Saloon for must-haves. With a better financing deal I got within about 2.5k of the Golf speced to my liking while keeping the 150 mild hybrid engine. I can't say I have any regrets right now as it looks and feels like a beast of a car, even in a basic outside spec with just some strategic extras and splashing on aftermarket wheels with CrossClimate 2 17inch tires (btw, removing the A3 badge is a no cost option
). It is a no-nonsense car, buttons for important stuff, infotainment works great so far, including (wireless) android auto (and I am coming from a 10+ year old car).
Basically, I started to feel like an a-hole waiting for an expensive 'understated' car that looks 10k cheaper and went for the one that costs about the same and looks and feels a full class above the compact hatch. The term 'pragmatic buy' became more relative the more I felt like an a-hole for waiting and conceded to the notion that intangible qualities like how you feel about the car matter more than an extra gimmick I might never use in the end.
I guess VAG made even more money for less extras from me in the end ... the house always wins