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 was mild, 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.
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.
Now in its fourth generation, the Audi 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. The A3 is getting on in years compared to some of Audi’s other cars, but a second facelift is due to be carried out soon in order to further extend its lifespan.
Used - available now
While the regular Audi A3 is an appealing car, those who desire the white-knuckle thrills of a hot hatchback might wish to read our dedicated reviews of the Audi S3 or Audi RS 3 instead.
To get a true insight into what Audi A3 ownership is like, our director of content & publishing, Sarah Perks, lived with an A3 Sportback 35 TFSI as part of the Auto Express long-term fleet.
Performance & driving experience
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The current A3 range is offered with a choice of several petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrains. These options take the form of a 1.5-litre TFSI petrol engine, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel, or a TFSI e plug-in hybrid that combines the aforementioned 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric 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 firmer on their sports suspension, but it’s not uncomfortable, and Audi has wisely kept the overall driving feel unchanged. The plug-in hybrid models are burdened with a heavy battery pack, resulting in a more unsettled ride than Audi A3 models without a plug-in.
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.
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.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| A3 TFSI 116PS | 114bhp | 9.7 seconds | 127mph |
| A3 TFSI 150PS | 148bhp | 8.4 seconds | 140mph |
| A3 TDI 150PS | 148bhp | 8.1 seconds | 141mph |
| A3 TFSI e 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, while the plug-in hybrid can run for up to 88 miles on electric power alone, making for quieter low-speed motoring.
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 its compact footprint makes parking easy.
B-road driving and handling
Switching to Dynamic mode in Audi's Drive Select menu adds weight to the steering, which is 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 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, news editor.
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.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| A3 1.5 TFSI 116PS | 51.4 | 124g/km | 15 |
| A3 1.5 TFSI 150PS | 50.6 | 127g/km | 23 |
| A3 2.0 TDI 150PS | 58.3 | 127g/km | 21-23 |
Electric range, battery life and charge time
The up to 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 |
| A3 1.5 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 PHEV is pricier to cover, because it sits in group 29. 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.
Tax
Although it’s a premium car, several Audi A3 variants sneak beneath the luxury car tax radar. It’s only when you move towards the higher end of the line-up that you’ll risk incurring an additional £440 on your annual VED road tax bill between years two and six of ownership.
The TFSI e PHEV is the best Audi A3 for company car drivers, because it carries the lowest Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates of the line-up. However, for the very cheapest company car tax costs, you’ll be better off with a fully electric car. Audi is yet to bring out an electric A3 alternative, but the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born go some way towards filling the brief.
Depreciation
The Audi A3 line-up is broad, and our market data indicates that this model will retain anywhere between 36 and 51 per cent of its original value after three years or 36,000 miles. Generally speaking, petrol-powered saloons are the stronger performers, while the plug-in hybrid Sportbacks suffer the greater losses.
In comparison, the Mercedes A-Class is a similar performer at 38 to 48 per cent, while the BMW 1 Series manages 44 to 49 per cent.
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 mid-life 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 our preferred entry-level Sport model is 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 a bespoke body kit, 18-inch wheels, tinted rear windows, stainless steel pedals, and LED interior lighting.
The Black Edition is predominantly a black appearance package with black exterior styling accents, puddle lights, and black interior trim.
Interior and dashboard design
Inside, the A3 feels modern enough for a premium family hatchback. 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. A facelift due soon will feature a much larger touchscreen that flows into a more upright digital driver’s instrument cluster, very similar in design to that of the latest Audi Q3. The revised A3 won’t feature that car’s combined indicator and windscreen wiper control stalks, which some have found take a little getting used to.
Materials and build quality
Audi’s continual improvements for the A3 included upping the material quality inside. There’s some premium-feeling textured fabric on the dashboard and some redesigned air vents. The interior lighting is enhanced with brighter LEDs and laser-cut fabric panels. Outside, the matrix LED headlights come with customizable signatures that can be seen when you unlock the car.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Every current 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 sat-nav, and both wired and wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. A facelift due soon will include a larger 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 11.9-inch virtual cockpit driver’s display.
The current system is comprehensive enough, 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 a 680-watt, 15-speaker SONOS sound system, a head up display, and adaptive LED headlights.
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 Technology Pack Pro thanks to its panoramic sunroof, memory functions for the driver’s seat and mirrors (not applicable to the 116 and 150 PS 1.5 TFSI with an automatic gearbox), and some 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, though, 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 and size
The A3 is a little bit shorter than both the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series, and it also has the shortest wheelbase of the three.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Audi A3 | BMW 1 Series | Mercedes A-Class |
| Length | 4,352mm | 4,361mm | 4,428mm |
| Width | 1,984mm (inc mirrors) | 1,800mm (2,072mm inc mirrors) | 1,796mm (1,992mm inc mirrors) |
| Height | 1,425mm | 1,459mm | 1,423mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,635mm | 2,670mm | 2,729mm |
| Boot space |
380 litres (hatchback) 425 litres (saloon) | 300 litres | 350 litres |
Seats & passenger space
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.
The fourth-generation A3 is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, which brings the benefits 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
Boot capacities vary depending on the A3 model you choose. The regular petrol and diesel Audi A3 Sportback has between 380 and 1,200 litres of space, while the battery pack of the plug-in hybrid reduces capacity to between 280 and 1,100 litres. The four-wheel drive RS3 offers a similar amount of space at between 282 and 1,104 litres. The Audi A3 saloon has a shallow boot, but it is deep and provides 425 litres of space, which is bigger than the 360 litres provided by the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Both the TFSI e plug-in hybrid and the A3 saloon might be an issue for family buyers who need to load a pushchair into the boot; the former due to its reduced capacity, and the latter because of its restrictive boot opening. The regular Sportback is a much better bet, with a more practical, wide-opening tailgate.
All Audi A3 Sportback models 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, special contributor.
Reliability and safety
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The A3 earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2020, and it has retained that rating after its retest in 2025. Interestingly, though, the closely related Cupra Leon scored slightly better in all categories.
While you will find all the safety kit you'd expect from a family car, you do have to pay £340 for additional front and rear side airbags, which we’d assume would come standard on a premium hatchback like this. You also have to add the pricey Technology Pack Pro in order to gain a few driver assistance features, such as blind spot monitoring with an exit warning that'll alert you to approaching cyclists and other vehicles when you go to open the door.
The pack also has rear cross traffic alert, which is a system that'll warn you of approaching vehicles when you go to reverse. We also think it's a bit much to have to bundle these items into one expensive pack, considering its cheaper Skoda Octavia and VW Golf siblings (of which the A3 is based upon) get some of these driver assistance technologies as standard.
The Audi A3 wound up in 42nd place out of 50 on the most recent Driver Power best cars to own scoreboard. High running costs and costly options were two of the biggest turn-offs for owners, and these concerns appear to have affected the Audi brand, too, because it only managed 23rd place out of 30 in the best manufacturer rankings. This looks particularly poor considering that Mercedes managed to top the chart in first place.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2025) |
| Adult occupant protection | 86% |
| Child occupant protection | 81% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 76% |
| Safety assist | 74% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Audi A3 Sportback TFSI 150 Sport
There are three equipment levels for the regular petrol and diesel cars in the Sportback and Saloon forms: Sport, S line and Black Edition. Pricing for the Audi A3 starts from around £30,500 for the Sportback and £30,900 for the saloon. These prices reflect the petrol-powered models, and moving up through powertrains and trim will cause both variants to rise in price, respectively. At the top end of the regular A3 pricing scale, you’ll find the plug-in hybrid A3 Black Edition TFSI e from around £42,000.
Our pick of the current A3 range is the Sportback model with the 148bhp 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 won't go as far on electric as the Sport version, due to the S line having bigger wheels with greater rolling resistance.
Don’t forget, you can save money by building your perfect Audi A3 through our Buy A Car service. There’s also a wide range of used Audi A3 models to choose from, as well as some highly tempting A3 leasing deals.
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 as a rival 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.
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long-term test
Sarah Perks, our director of content & publishing, ran our long-term Audi A3 Sportback for several thousand miles, and greatly enjoyed its ability to cope with long-distance trips in a stress-free manner.
She was even a big fan of the bright paintwork, the name of which - Python Yellow - inspired her to affectionately nickname the car Monty. You can read the full long-term test here…
Audi A3 pictures
Key updates of the Audi A3 review
- 3 August 2026: Latest pricing data and Driver Power survey results.
- 16 February 2026: Driving impressions from our Audi A3 long-term test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Audi offers a three-year/60,000-mile warranty on the A3, which is less generous than the unlimited mileage cover from BMW and Mercedes. Extended four- or five-year warranties are available for an extra cost.
Plug-in hybrid versions include a separate eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, guaranteeing at least 70% battery capacity during that time.
Latest deals on Audi A3 and its key rivals
