“The Audi A3 is a practical and upmarket small family car with a superb interior and some efficient engines to choose from”
Pros
- Comfortable and easy to drive
- Excellent interior
- Efficient engines
Cons
- Not the best value for money
- Rivals are better to drive
- Drab low-spec versions
The Audi A3 is a good all-round choice if you’re after an upmarket family car. It’s fairly compact but still has lots of room inside, and the pleasant cabin has plenty of equipment. It’s also available with a range of excellent engines, from quiet petrol models to efficient diesels. The Audi A3 isn’t the best value for money, because a Volkswagen Golf does almost everything just as well for less money, but the A3’s upmarket image will appeal to plenty of potential buyers.
The Audi A3 is a family car that’s about the same size and shape as a VW Golf, and even comes with many of the same engines, but the Audi is more upmarket, thanks to its premium interior, smart exterior looks and higher price.
The A3 feels a bit like a downsized executive car when you step inside. This theme continues outside, where the A3 has sharp lines and the same large grille as Audi’s luxury models. Practicality isn’t an issue, either, with five seats fitted in the three-door, five-door (known as the A3 Sportback) and saloon, while the A3 Cabriolet can seat four.
On the open road, the third-generation A3 isn’t quite as exciting to drive as the rear-wheel-drive Mk2 BMW 1 Series, but it offers impressive refinement and comfort for longer journeys, while inspiring confidence on twisty roads. Overall, the A3 is a better driver’s car than the Volvo V40, while its wide variations should help it appeal to a broader audience than the Mercedes A-Class.
What’s the history of the Audi A3?
The first Audi A3 arrived in 1996, and was available as a three-door or five-door hatchback. It was popular, but you’ll see more second-generation models on UK roads these days, since this 2003 model was better to drive and looked more upmarket. This model was updated in 2008, but it was replaced in 2012 by the model we’re focusing on in this article: the Mk3.
Early cars were available in SE, Sport and S line trim levels, but the A3 range was updated in 2016 and those changed to SE, SE Technik Sport and S line Nav specifications. There are 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels or 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engine options. Later on, the 1.2 and 1.4 models were replaced by 1.0 and 1.5-litre engines respectively, and a plug-in hybrid model was added.
In 2020, the Mk4 A3 was launched, and this model is still on sale as a new car at present. Over the years, the A3 has always been closely linked to the VW Golf of the same era, as the models share a lot of parts, including the engine range.
Which is the best Audi A3 to choose?
Most A3 customers will want a small petrol model. The 1.2-litre model is the entry-point, followed by 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrols; all use turbocharging to improve performance. The 1.2-litre is reasonably nippy, but the 1.4-litre is the petrol to go for, particularly if you can stretch to a later model: in 2013, the 1.4-litre petrol received an extra helping of power (to 148bhp) and got Audi’s cylinder-on-demand system, which shuts down half the engine to save fuel during light cruising.
A three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine joined the A3 range towards the end of the production run, and offers a good balance of performance and economy. Likewise, the 1.4-litre engine was replaced by a 1.5-litre motor that was more efficient. This is probably the best all-round choice, although a diesel will suit some buyers.
The entry-level 1.6-litre is impressively economical, but the 2.0-litre diesel makes the A3 more relaxing to drive, as you won’t need to spend so much time changing gear or revving the engine to make progress. There is also a plug-in hybrid model called the e-tron, which could be really cheap to run if you can plug it in regularly, but it’s a bit pricey.
Four-wheel-drive A3s are more expensive on the secondhand market and about 10 per cent less economical, but some prefer the extra grip they offer and feel the quattro all-wheel drive system improves the A3’s handling. Audi offered a six-speed manual or its automatic S tronic gearbox across the range; both are slick and smooth to use.
What are the alternatives?
Audi's compact hatchback competes against the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class, as well as more mainstream models such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. It maintains an upmarket image, despite being closely related to the less expensive Golf of the same era, so it’s not the best value for money, but is appreciably higher-quality inside than the VW.
Other more upmarket models in this class include the Lexus CT200h and Volvo V40, which are perhaps more appealing on the used market than they were when new. The A3 also comes in a four-door saloon and two-door convertible bodystyles, which means there are rivals such as the BMW 2 Series Convertible and Mercedes CLA to consider as well.
Along with the regular A3 line-up, there are two high-performance models called the S3 and RS3, and they are rivals for the VW Golf GTI and the Mercedes-AMG A 45 respectively.
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The Audi A3 can be quite cheap to run, thanks to a range of engines that includes some rather frugal diesels, and even the petrol options are really economical, especially in later cars with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder motor.
There’s even a plug-in hybrid option that can drive on electric power alone, which means people who can plug in at home have the option of doing daily trips without using any fuel at all. However, as with all A3s, it’s not the most affordable model to buy in the first place.
How much does a used Audi A3 cost?
You can check our sister site Buyacar for latest prices on a used Audi A3, but in general it will cost around the same as a BMW 1 Series or Mercedes A-Class, its core rivals when new.
The Audi A3 was priced higher when new than an equivalent SEAT Leon, Volkswagen Golf or Skoda Octavia – all cars it shares parts with – but the list of standard equipment fitted is long and the feeling of quality is undeniable. Furthermore, A3s are an appealing used buy, so the Audi retains its value better.
This means that while it’s not the best value for money in terms of purchase price, especially next to its siblings above, it won’t lose quite so much value over your ownership.
What’s it like for fuel economy, emissions and tax?
If you want the lowest running costs with your A3, go for the 1.6-litre TDI diesel. Official figures say it’s capable of more than 70mpg and, with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km on some models, tax is free for cars first registered before April 2017. In later models, the figures were revised to 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions of between 138-143g/km thanks to changes in how they’re measured.
In later post-2016 cars, the 148bhp 2.0-litre 35 TDI diesel engine is the best. It’s one of our favourite engines in the line-up, offering claimed fuel economy of 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 131g/km while being capable of hitting 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds.
There’s also an even more efficient A3 Ultra, which emits 89g/km and returns up to a claimed 83mpg. You’ll pay much more in tax for petrol models, although the less powerful engines have fuel-economy figures that aren’t far off some of the diesels. It costs £155 a year in VED (road tax) for models built after 1 April 2017.
The petrol-engined A3s are also remarkably frugal. Drivers covering a lower yearly mileage ought to consider the 148bhp 1.5-litre 35 TFSI. Its clever cylinder-deactivation system, which shuts down parts of the engine when full power isn’t required, helps it to return 44.8mpg and emit 142g/km of CO2.
The 114bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder 30 TFSI engine is even more economical, returning up to 49.6mpg and even lower CO2 emissions. You might miss the 1.5-litre engine’s power, though. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is powerful but not very economical, and in older models the 1.2-litre engine is similar to the later 1.0-litre as the lowest-cost option. The 1.4-litre motor is also really similar to the 1.5-litre in later cars.
The plug-in hybrid Audi A3 e-tron has an official economy figure of 141.2mpg, and CO2 emissions of just 46g/km, but it's very difficult to come anywhere close to its mpg figure in real-world driving. Unless you have plenty of opportunities to plug the car in and charge the batteries, the car effectively becomes a normal petrol A3, and an expensive one at that. If regular charging won't be possible given how you'll use the car, a diesel A3 may prove cheaper overall. It can be driven solely on electricity for up to 29 miles.
The S3 and RS3 models will be the most expensive to buy, run and insure by far, but they’re aimed at enthusiasts that mostly won’t mind the extra costs. It’s also worth remembering that the A3 Convertible will cost more to buy and run, because it’s heavier than the hatch and saloon versions.
How much will it cost to insure?
The lowest insurance rating of any Audi A3 is group 16; the BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf both start in lower groups. Audi insurance premiums are brought down, though, by the wealth of electronic safety systems on board. Depending on the engine and trim level, the A3 occupies groups 19-32. The RS3 model is in group 40, so it’s the most expensive to insure by far.
The Audi A3 feels very well made when you’re inside, so it should stand up to many miles of driving. There are a few common issues to be aware of, but the A3 is based on a common set of parts that is also used for the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia, SEAT Leon and more, so many problems have been spotted and sorted in recalls and improvements over the years.
How reliable is the Audi A3?
The Audi A3 came with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which could be extended to four years or 75,000 miles or to five years and 90,000 miles for extra cost by the original owner. This means there might be some left with warranty remaining, but don’t count on it when shopping for a model more than three years old.
The good news about the Audi is that it’s got a pretty solid reputation for reliability, so even though there are longer warranties out there, it should be dependable. There’s a separate warranty in place on the A3 e-tron models to cover the battery against failure for eight years or 100,000 miles. Audi does say that a 10%-30% reduction in battery capacity during the warranty period is classed as normal degradation and will not qualify for a replacement battery.
The Audi A3 has two different service schedules, depending on how, and how far, the car is driven. Low-mileage drivers who typically cover short journeys can choose a fixed schedule of every 12 months. Drivers who cover more than 10,000 miles a year are placed on a variable schedule, meaning service intervals could be up to two years apart. There are service plans available to spread the cost.
Diesel Audi A3s and the performance S3 have a timing belt that needs to be replaced every five years or 75,000 miles. This isn’t cheap, costing up to £900 (including water pump replacement), but it’ll cost an awful lot more if it snaps and you have to replace the whole engine.
Are there any common problems or things to look out for?
Some A3 owners have reported problems with leaking water pumps – check this by looking for puddles under the car – while the pop-up screen for the infotainment system can sometimes creak when it rises in and out of the dash. This could either need lubrication or replacement.
Other common problems include a rattling engine (on 1.4-litre engines) and damage to the doors, especially on the three-door model as they are quite long and easy to knock into walls accidentally.
What about recalls?
The most notable recall for the A3 was in relation to the Dieselgate scandal, because some A3 engines were affected and would have needed repair work done as a result of that. Other recalls include some in 2019 for an engine belt pulley and seat head restraints, two in 2018 for the starter motor and passenger airbag, and then one in 2017 relating to the ABS and stability control systems.
What do owners think?
The Audi A3 debuted in our 2014 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey in 16th place, and then came in 27th in 2015. In the 2016 survey, it fell to 47th place, but owners still rated it highly for build quality.
Later on in the car’s life, the Audi A3 range was rated average for reliability in our 2019 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. Of the owners who responded, 16% reported experiencing a problem with their car at least once. Overall, it ranked 69th out of the top 100 cars on our list.
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The Audi A3 sits somewhere in the middle of its rivals when it comes to handling and driving. It’s a good all-rounder, with decent grip and enough comfort for most, but it doesn’t excel in any one area. The BMW 1 Series, for example, is sharper to drive, while a VW Golf is more comfortable (but not by much).
Go for a lower-spec model such as SE for the best ride quality, as the smaller wheels and softer suspension are better at dealing with bumps. The S Line models came with stiffer suspension as standard, unless the original owner selected the free-of-charge SE suspension instead.
What is the Audi A3 like to drive?
The Audi A3 has predictable handling, a comfortable and quiet ride with minimal body lean in corners, plus smooth and effortless performance. Confidence-inspiring four-wheel-drive grip is available with the quattro version, but all others are front-wheel drive. The BMW 1 Series Mk2 is better to drive, though, and brings rear-wheel-drive to the table, a unique selling point.
The Audi A3 Sportback’s petrol and diesel engines are notable for their smooth and punchy power delivery, so deciding between them may come down to their respective economy and emissions figures.
There really is an engine for all tastes, with the smaller petrols providing a good blend of price and performance, while the diesels suit higher-mileage motorists who want good economy with effortless cruising ability, or those who need to tow a caravan.
There are manual or automatic options and they are both good: the manual is slick and easy to use, while the auto box is smooth and makes driving more relaxing.
The plug-in hybrid e-tron only comes with the six-speed automatic gearbox, which struggles when the car has to transition between the pure petrol and pure electric modes – on occasion it can be quite clunky.
In the e-tron model, the suspension is quite firm to keep the car from leaning too much in corners, but the extra weight of the batteries is noticeable, and the e-tron isn't really a car intended to be driven quickly regularly. If you go for large alloy wheels, the suspension set-up means bumps, potholes and cat’s eyes will all be very noticeable inside the car.
Which engine should I choose?
Drivers looking for easy around-town driving and respectable fuel economy should consider the entry-level 1.0-litre ‘30 TFSI’. It produces 114bhp, which is enough to propel the car from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. The power is well spread over the rev range too, offering plenty of oomph from low to high revs. It's also a remarkably refined engine, quieter than many of its rivals, while its relative lightness makes the A3 peppy and quite fun to drive.
Unsurprisingly, the 1.5-litre 35 TFSI’s 148bhp provides slightly improved performance and, given the car’s balance of price and efficiency, it’s our pick of the range. The cylinder-on-demand (half the engine shuts down under light throttle) 1.5-litre TFSI is a relaxed cruiser, and it feels sporty, with 0-62mph taking just 8.2 seconds. The 187bhp 2.0-litre 40 TFSI takes just 6.8 seconds, but fuel economy takes a hit.
The older engines follow along the same lines. The 2.0-litre is punchy but not very economical, the 1.2-litre is a tiny, quiet engine that’s pretty economical but a bit slow, and the 1.4-litre model provides the best of both worlds. If you want a pre-2016 A3 then the 1.4-litre model is best.
The A3 Sportback’s diesel engines bring good performance and excellent fuel economy, although low-mileage drivers should weigh up their higher purchase price compared with those of the equivalent petrol cars. The 1.6-litre 30 TDI produces 114bhp and sprints from 0-62mph in a respectable 10.4 seconds. Performance improves with the 148bhp 2.0-litre 35 TDI, which does 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds (or 8.1 seconds with the S tronic automatic gearbox).
The Audi A3 e-tron is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 148bhp 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine with a 101bhp electric motor for a total output of 201bhp. The 0-62mph sprint time is dealt with in a brisk 7.6 seconds, owing to the instant power delivered by the electric motor at low speeds.
Before the e-tron was facelifted in mid-2016, there was a mode that allowed the petrol engine to act partially as a generator to top up the batteries for the electric motor. Audi decided this affected fuel economy too negatively, so now there are three modes; a pure electric mode, a hybrid mode and a mode that conserves battery power so the electric motor can be prioritised for use in urban areas.
Inside is where the Audi A3 Sportback really justifies its premium price. Materials are of the highest quality and feel anchored to the car for life, the styling is tasteful and restrained, the dashboard is well ordered and the range of standard equipment impresses.
Look out for models with Audi’s optional ‘Virtual Cockpit’ – which replaced the traditional dashboard dials with a high-resolution 12.3-inch TFT screen. In general, the A3 is a comfortable car, but the hard suspension on S Line (and the S3 and RS3 models) can be a bit harsh for bumpy roads, so we prefer lower-spec models for comfort.
What’s the Audi A3 like inside?
The A3 Sportback’s dashboard is handsome and well organised. Higher-spec models get additional flashes of aluminium detailing, but if it’s a radical design you’re looking for, you’re better off elsewhere.
The dash is dominated by the neatly implemented infotainment screen, with an intuitive control wheel and a small selection of buttons that are raised to make them easier to find in the dark. Thanks to every-which-way adjustment of the seat and steering wheel, it’s easy to find the perfect driving position. The steering-wheel-mounted controls are top-quality, but voice control of key functions is also included as standard.
It all feels very high quality and the materials are robust but also look upmarket. It’s plainer than some rivals, such as the Mercedes A-Class, but it has a real feeling of quality as a result and has aged better as well.
What’s on the equipment list?
On earlier cars even entry-level SE trim has all the equipment you could want, coming with alloy wheels, a 5.8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, ISOFIX child-seat fixings, electric mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel and electric windows. The popular S Line model (there are always lots for sale) comes with more kit than the SE and Sport, as well as sporty add-ons such as larger alloy wheels and a bodykit.
In later cars the SE Technik trim was added, and came with air-conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers and xenon headlights, cruise control, an infotainment screen, Bluetooth phone connectivity and 16-inch alloy wheels. Sport and S Line models were still available, offering leather trim, aluminium detailing, dual-zone air conditioning and firmer sports seats.
Avoid Black Edition cars unless you love the look and get a particularly good deal, because the additions were cosmetic and the huge alloy wheels fitted tend to spoil the comfort.
Later cars came with a larger infotainment system as well, but in all models the system is really easy to use and has pretty much all the features you could want. We love how it retracts into the dash when you’re not using it.
How safe is it?
The A3 Sportback was awarded five out of five stars for crash safety by testing body Euro NCAP. Driver, passenger-side body, head and knee airbags are all standard, in addition to front seatbelt pretensioners and an adaptive brake light that flashes during an emergency stop to warn following drivers.
Optional safety equipment includes rear cross-traffic alert to take some of the stress out of reversing, and Audi’s Traffic Jam Assist system. This uses adaptive cruise control to help keep pace with traffic for you, as well as automatically steering and applying the brakes at speeds up to 37mph.
In a low-speed crash with a pedestrian, the active bonnet pops up to create more space between it and the engine to reduce injury. Meanwhile, electronic stability control keeps the car on the straight and narrow by braking individual wheels to prevent skids on slippery roads.
The Audi A3 Sportback has 35mm more between the front and rear wheels than the three-door A3 hatchback. This means it’s one of the roomiest cars in its class, and of course since it has two extra doors, it’s the most practical model in the range.
It’s one of the most durable, too, with an interior that’ll stand up to family wear and tear like few others. Add plenty of storage space plus the two extra doors and the A3 Sportback makes a convincing case as a small family car.
How big is the Audi A3?
The A3 hatchback, the three-door model, is 4,237mm long, but the Sportback five-door car is 4,310mm long. The Saloon model is even longer, at 4,456mm, but this version’s separate boot means it’s not quite as versatile as the Sportback. The Cabriolet version is obviously the least practical, but it’s 4,421m long.
The A3 is around 1.8m wide and 1.4m tall, so it’s fairly compact. It’s about the same size as a Volkswagen Golf, and is about average among its rivals. It’s shorter than a BMW 1 Series, but a bit wider.
How much space is there for passengers?
In the front, the A3 Sportback is a perfectly roomy car. Behind, there’s more space than before, but in truth it’s only suitable for two adult passengers – three will be a bit of a squeeze. Wide-opening rear doors mean a child seat can be installed easily. However, the Sportback sits quite low, so you have to bend down awkwardly to lean in, while only the two outer seats have ISOFIX child-seat fixings. Storage space includes a decent-sized glovebox, a cubbyhole under the front armrest and deep door bins.
How big is the boot?
The normal A3 hatchback has 365 litres, the Saloon has 425 litres and the Convertible has 320 litres, but in the latter two models there’s no hatchback boot door, so the space is much less useful.
The Sportback’s extra length brings additional load capacity and a low, clear boot ledge means loads can be inserted easily. Handily, there’s a false boot floor to hide valuables under, too. You also get a slim space-saver spare wheel.
With the rear seats upright, boot space in the Sportback model is 380 litres. With the seats folded flat to make a level floor, that space grows to 1,220 litres. That’s about on par with the BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf. Space is reduced in the four-wheel-drive and e-tron hybrid models. In the latter, the battery pack reduces boot space to 280 litres.
Keyword: Used Audi A3 review: 2012 to 2020 (Mk3)