Audi A3 review
The Audi A3 is a tempting premium hatchback choice with a great range of engines and an improved interior
Our opinion on the Audi A3
The latest Audi A3 remains as desirable as ever, with its premium appeal evident in its design, advanced technology, and overall driving experience. The A3’s mid-life facelift in 2024 was a mild one, but it focused on the key area of build quality - ensuring Audi’s family hatchback stayed competitive with the likes of the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class.
There’s flexibility in the Audi A3’s range, too. It still comes with a strong line-up of petrol, plug-in hybrid and even diesel engines to suit most tastes, plus you can specify between a traditional five-door ‘Sportback’ hatchback or a four-door saloon.
| Key specs | |
| Fuel type | Petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid |
| Body style | Hatchback, saloon |
| Powertrain |
1.5-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, front-wheel drive 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo diesel, front-wheel drive 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol plus 1x e-motor, front-wheel drive 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, four-wheel drive 2.5-litre 5cyl turbo petrol, four-wheel drive |
| Safety | 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2020) |
| Warranty | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
About the Audi A3
The A3 has been around since 1996 when Audi decided to produce a premium hatchback to deal with the oncoming threat of the first-generation Mercedes A-Class. The original Audi A3 model cleverly used the reliable underpinnings from the Mk4 Volkswagen Golf. With its polished good looks, sophisticated style and superb build quality, it quickly established itself as a leader in the premium hatchback class.
Now in its fourth generation, the A3 continues to mix with the A-Class, although the high-end hatchback sector has expanded further to include the likes of the BMW 1 Series.
Used - available now
The latest A3 continues to utilise a shared platform. This time, it’s the Volkswagen Group’s MQB technology found under the cheaper Golf, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia. The Audi variant differs from the others by doubling down on technology and high-class materials. Fitting that big-Audi feel into a compact package, it’s a formula that rivals still find hard to match.
Audi offers the A3 as a five-door Sportback or a four-door Saloon model. The three-door hatch and Cabriolet body-styles offered with the previous generation A3 are no longer available. A 2024 mid-life facelift has improved quality and technology across the range.
Audi A3 prices and latest deals
Prices for the Audi A3 start from just under £30,000. There are three equipment levels for the regular petrol and diesel cars in the Sportback and Saloon forms:
- Sport
- S line
- Black Edition
The TFSIe plug-in hybrid starts at just under £39,500 and comes in the Sportback body style only. The hotter Audi S3 comes in Black Edition and Vorsprung trims, and starts at just below £48,500, while the formidable 394bhp RS 3 can be had at just over £61,500 in standard form, or a little more in mid-range Carbon Black and range-topping Carbon Vorsprung trim levels.
You can currently buy or lease a new Audi A3 through our own Find a Car service. Spec your ideal Audi A3 and choose between the best offers from dealers around the UK or take a look at the wide range of used Audi A3 models we have available. We can help you sell your old car with Auto Express Sell My Car.
Performance & driving experience
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The current A3 range is offered with a choice of several petrol engines, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid. The mainstream cars have a 1.5-litre TFSI petrol engine or a 2.0-litre TDI diesel. There’s also a 328bhp 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol reserved for the S3 and a 394bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol for the RS 3. The TFSIe plug-in hybrid combines the 1.5-litre petrol engine with electrical assistance.
There should be an engine option to suit most requirements, and the A3 is good to drive right across the range. While the high-performance S3 and RS 3 deliver serious thrills, most drivers will find the lower-powered petrol, diesel, and hybrid A3 models more than competent for day-to-day driving.
The more powerful 148bhp petrol and diesel models benefit from a more advanced multi-link rear suspension, unlike lower trims that use a basic torsion beam. This helps deliver a better balance of comfort and control in corners, and we’d recommend making the upgrade over the entry-level 114bhp 1.5-litre, if you can afford it.
The S line versions ride a bit more firmly on their sports suspension, but it’s not uncomfortable, and Audi has wisely kept the general driving feel unchanged. The plug-in hybrid models are lumbered with a weighty battery pack, contributing to a more unsettled ride than Audi A3 models without a plug.
A six-speed manual gearbox is available in both of the 114bhp and 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol models and is easy to use. It can be jerky at low speeds, however, making stop-start city driving less smooth than with the automatic.
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
On-paper figures for the diesel engine are pretty decent, and during our tests, we found it offers plenty of torque low down in the rev range for effortless acceleration and that muscular feel we love a good diesel for.
The plug-in hybrid might combine petrol and electric power primarily for improved efficiency, but a side-effect of this is strong overall performance. Though it’s no hot hatch, the electric boost makes it far more flexible than the base 114bhp petrol model or the 148bhp option with its mild-hybrid assistance.
The S3 and RS 3 most definitely are hot hatches. The S3 will get from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 155mph, while the hotter RS 3 also has a 155mph top speed, but boasts the shortest acceleration time in the A3 range at 3.8 seconds, plus it has a distinctive five-cylinder soundtrack.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| Audi A3 TFSI 116PS | 114bhp | 9.7 seconds | 127mph |
| Audi A3 TFSI 150PS | 148bhp | 8.4 seconds | 140mph |
| Audi A3 TDI 150PS | 148bhp | 8.1 seconds | 141mph |
| Audi A3 TFSIe 204ps | 201bhp | 7.4 seconds | 140mph |
Town driving, visibility and parking
The entry-level 114bhp petrol engine is perfectly adequate for town driving and the school run though the plug-in hybrid, which can run for as much as 88 miles on electric power alone, is great in town.
You don’t get the high driving position and improved visibility you get with an SUV, but it’s easy to see out of the A3 and the compact footprint makes parking easy.
B-road driving and handling
Switching to the Dynamic mode in Audi's Drive Select menu helps add weight to steering that’s otherwise a little too light for faster roads. The versions with multi-link suspension are noticeably more composed on bumpy B roads as well.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
The A3 feels like a very classy and comfortable proposition over long distances. The sporty-looking S-line models aren’t the smoothest riding, however, due to the firmer suspension and larger wheels.
“When the plug-in hybrid’s petrol engine needs to kick in, it does so with very impressive levels of refinement, slipping into operation without so much as a murmur from under the bonnet. It also does this without a physical jolt, which can sometimes afflict PHEVs without much warning.” - Jordan Katsianis, senior staff writer.
MPG & running costs
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While the petrol and diesel Audi A3s are impressively efficient, company car drivers will be drawn to the A3 TFSI e plug-in hybrid models, which offer lower CO2 emissions and a reduced benefit-in-kind tax rating.
During our long-term test of an A3 TFSI S line with the 148bhp 1.5-litre engine, we averaged 49.3mpg in a mix of town and motorway driving - not far off the official 50.6mpg WLTP test figure. The less powerful 114bhp version of that engine is only fractionally more efficient, which is another reason to stretch your budget.
Buyers looking towards the performance S3 and RS 3 models probably won't be overly concerned with overall efficiency, although the S3 still manages a decent 34.9mpg on the combined cycle. The more powerful RS 3 predictably fares a little worse, returning an average of 31.4mpg.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| Audi A3 TFSI 116PS | 51.4mpg | 124g/km | 15 |
| Audi A3 TFSI 150PS | 50.6mpg | 127g/km | 23 |
| Audi A3 TDI 150PS | 58.3mpg | 127g/km | 21-23 |
Electric range, battery life and charge time
The 88-mile electric range of the A3 plug-in hybrid makes it one of the top compact PHEV options on today’s market. Our tests saw us return an efficiency of 3.8 m/kWh in real world driving, which virtually matches that official WLTP range estimate from the 25.4kWh battery.
DC fast charging with a 50kW charger allows you to top up the battery in just 26 minutes. Many owners will probably utilise cheaper home charging. Audi quotes an 11kW charging time of 2.5 hours or a 2.3kW charging time of 12 hours. Most homes will have a 7.4 kW charger, so expect it to take between four and five hours to charge.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Insurance group |
| Audi A3 TFSIe | 25.4kWh | 88 miles | 29 |
Insurance groups
The petrol-engined A3 versions sit in insurance groups 15 to 22, with diesel cars in groups 21 to 23, depending upon the trim level. The high-performance S3 and RS 3 models are the most expensive to insure in the A3 range, and start in groups 32 and 35, respectively.
By comparison, an entry-level Mercedes A 180 petrol in Sport Executive trim starts in group 19, while an A 200 diesel in the same trim begins from group 23. The Volkswagen Golf TDI with the same diesel engine as the Audi starts in group 17.
Depreciation
Our expert data suggests that the A3 Sportback will retain an average of 57 per cent of its original value over three years and 36,000 miles, with the saloon faring slightly worse at 56 per cent - those figures are pretty much on a par with the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes A-Class over the same period.
The S3 is expected to retain 57.3 per cent of its value, while the RS 3, despite being the most expensive A3, keeps 66.9 per cent of its original price tag on average.
To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool…
Interior, design & technology
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With the 2024 revamp, Audi didn’t completely reinvent the A3’s exterior, but the car now looks sharper and sportier. The signature honeycomb grille, bold side vents, and angular LED headlights give it a more aggressive front end. New crease lines and a redesigned rear keep it fresh, while still looking unmistakably like an A3.
Even entry-level Sport models are well-equipped, with the following included:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Dual-zone climate control
- 10.1-inch central touchscreen with sat-nav
- Cruise control
- Rear parking sensors
The S line adds a sportier look to the A3 with:
- An ‘S line’ body kit
- 18-inch wheels
- Tinted windows
- Stainless steel pedals
- LED interior lighting
The Black Edition is predominantly a black appearance package with:
- Black exterior styling accents
- Puddle lights
- Black interior trim
Interior and dashboard design
Inside, the latest facelifted A3 feels more modern. The dashboard has a sharper, more dynamic design, trimmed in faux aluminium for a sportier look. It’s still of high quality, as you'd expect from Audi.
Materials and build quality
Audi’s mid-life improvements for the A3 included upping the material quality inside. There’s a new textured fabric on the dashboard and redesigned air vents. The interior lighting is enhanced with brighter LEDs and laser-cut fabric panels. Outside, the matrix LED headlights now come with customizable signatures that can be seen when you unlock the car.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Every A3 features a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital display and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen. The system looks sharp and is responsive to inputs. Key features include:
- Wired Android Auto
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Sat-nav
It’s a comprehensive system but relies entirely on touchscreen controls. There’s no rotary controller, which can make it less user-friendly on the move. At least physical buttons on the steering wheel provide some useful shortcuts to key controls. On both screens, the MMI infotainment software is intuitive, offering clean graphics and accurate navigation instructions.
The standard audio setup has six speakers. For those looking for a better sound system and a more convenient phone charging experience, the £1,995 Technology Pack adds the following:
- 680-watt, 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Wireless phone charging
- A head up display
No matter which trim you specify, the Audi A3’s black and grey interior is a little solemn, but you can add some natural sunlight with the £4,595 Technology Pack Pro. This adds:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Memory function for the driver’s seat and mirrors
- Extra driver assistance technology
If you just want the big sunroof on its own, you can have it for £1,200. The memory seats aren’t available separately, which can be annoying for those who share a car and want to recall their driving position quickly.
“There’s an array of digital displays for the driver – and plenty of menus to find your way around. But there is also a good balance of physical switches for some of the main functions, including the temperature control and heated seats, plus a really useful head-up display.” – Sarah Perks, director of content & publishing
Boot space & practicality
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The Audi A3 range consists of practical five-door Sportback and four-door Saloon bodystyles. The Saloon has the larger boot, but the Sportback hatch is more versatile because it has a bigger opening.
The A3 has consistently offered premium levels of comfort, and very little has changed with this latest version. The cabin is well insulated from road noise, making the A3 a particularly refined place to be on longer trips.
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4,343mm |
| Width | 1,984mm |
| Height | 1,425mm |
| Number of seats | 5 |
| Boot space | 380-1,200 litres (425 litres for Saloon) |
Dimensions and size
The A3 is 4,343mm long, 1,984mm wide (including mirrors) and stands 1,425 tall. The Mercedes A-Class is a little longer at 4,445mm, slightly wider at 1,992mm, but has a lower roofline with an overall height of 1,412mm.
Driving position, seats & space in the front
The driving position is comfortable, and all versions come with four-way electrically adjustable lumbar support. Electric adjustment for the driver’s seat with memory settings is only available as part of the expensive Technology Pack Pro.
Seats & space in the back
The fourth-generation A3 is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, and this brings the advantages of increased head and legroom throughout the cabin. Four passengers can sit comfortably, with the rear middle seat best used for shorter journeys. When there’s no middle passenger in the back, the centre armrest with cup holders can be used.
Two Isofix points are provided on the outer positions of the rear bench, and you can add another child seat anchor point on the front passenger seat for free.
Boot space
There are various different boot capacities depending on which A3 model you choose:
- Audi A3 Sportback (non-PHEV) - 380-1,200 litres
- Audi A3 Sportback (PHEV) - 280-1,100 litres
- Audi A3 Saloon - 425 litres
- Audi RS3 - 282-1,104 litres
The TFSI e plug-in hybrids lose 100 litres of boot space to accommodate the battery, which might be an issue for family buyers who need to load a pushchair into the boot.
The saloon has the largest boot - bigger than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (360 litres) - but the Sportback has a more practical, wide-opening tailgate. All Audi A3s come with a 40:20:40 split folding rear bench and a very low loading lip, making it easy to load items on the side.
Towing
The Audi A3’s towing capacity largely mirrors the Mercedes A-Class and outperforms the BMW 1 Series, which maxes out at 1,300kg. The diesel model provides the most towing capacity in the A3 range.
- TFSI 114bhp petrol: up to 1,300kg
- TFSI 148bhp petrol: up to 1,500kg
- TDI 148bhp diesel: up to 1,600kg
- TFSIe PHEV: up to 1,400kg
“The Audi’s Isofix mounting points are easy to reach from behind sliding plastic covers when you’re installing a child seat. The A3’s family-friendliness is also boosted by optional Isofix points for the front passenger seat.” - Alex Ingram, chief reviewer
Reliability and safety
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The A3 earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2020. Interestingly, the closely related SEAT Leon scored slightly better in all categories. You can pay £340 for additional front and rear side airbags, which we’d assume would come standard on a premium hatchback like this.
| Key standard safety features | Euro NCAP safety ratings |
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The Audi A3 came 36th on the Driver Power best cars to own list in 2025, scoring averagely in almost all categories. The Audi brand has seen a resurgence to some extent, rising from 19th out of 31 brands in 2022 to 18th in the 2025 results.
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Audi A3 Sportback TFSI 150 Sport
Latest deals on Audi A3 and its key rivals
Our pick of the current A3 range is the Sportback model with the 148bhp mild hybrid petrol engine. The Sportback might have a smaller boot than the Saloon, but most will find it to be more versatile, while the engine delivers the best balance of performance, price and efficiency.
The plug-in hybrid is an excellent choice for company car users. We would avoid the S line trim due to its firm ride and the fact that it doesn’t significantly enhance the standard car's appearance.
Audi A3 alternatives
For a very long time, the key alternatives to the Audi A3 have been the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class. BMW also offers the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes has the Mercedes CLA as rivals to the A3 Saloon.
There are other choices in the shape of the Volkswagen Golf and the Cupra Leon, both of which use the same underpinnings as the Audi. High-spec versions of the Toyota Corolla and Peugeot 308 are also worth a look if you’re considering the Audi.
Otherwise, there’s a wide choice of mid-size premium SUVs from the Audi Q2 to the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA. The Volvo XC40 is another capable option.
Take a look at the latest prices for all these models using our Find a Car service.
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test
Sarah Perks, director of content & publishing, has been running our long-term Audi A3 Sportback for several thousand miles, and has been enjoying its ability to cope with long-distance trips in a stress-free manner.
She’s even a big fan of the bright paintwork, the name of which - Python Yellow - has inspired her to affectionately nickname the car Monty. Read more about our long-term Audi A3 here…
Frequently Asked Questions
The Audi A3 starts at just under £30,000 with the S3 costing just under £48,500 and the RS 3 pitched at just over £61,500.
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