Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Audi A3

EPA MPG: 27 mpg
Average Retail Price
$6,975 - $9,025

RECALL ALERT:
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Road Test

The A3 is quick, nimble and versatile with a roomy, but somewhat austere, high quality interior. The Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission, which shifts quickly like a manual but without a clutch, adds to the sporty flavor. All-wheel drive is available.

For complete Road Test Report and to see Highs and Lows, become a member

2013 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

No Data Available

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
Good
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
Good
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
Good
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

2013 Luxury entry-level cars Ratings

$7,100 - $9,250
economy-icon
EPA MPG 27 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$8,500 - $10,250
economy-icon
EPA MPG 28 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$5,050 - $5,825
economy-icon
EPA MPG 25 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$9,925 - $10,800
economy-icon
EPA MPG 42 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$ NA
economy-icon
EPA MPG 29 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
Features & Specs
Body Style
    4-door hatchback
Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD, Front
Engines Available
  • 2-liter 4 turbodiesel (140 hp)
  • 2-liter 4 turbo (200 hp)
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed sequential
  • 6-speed manual
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Model History
2022-
Current Generation

Audi improves upon its capable entry-level sedan with an all-new 2022 model featuring sleek exterior styling; a more refined, driver-focused interior; and technology upgrades that are already standard on larger and more expensive Audis. Among them are an optional configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster and active driver assistance features. The car has larger interior and exterior dimensions than the previous iteration. The S3 augments its more staid A3 sibling with a lower stance, a more powerful engine, bigger, vented front brakes and vented rear brakes, and Audi's adaptive sport suspension system. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard. Front-wheel drive was available through 2024. The A3 is only be available in the U.S. as a four-door sedan. The high-performance RS 3 version gets a turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Both the A3 and S3 will come standard with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and Pre-sense, a system that does things like pretension occupants’ seat belts, close the side windows and sunroof, and activate the hazard flashers if the driver brakes hard or the electronic stability control is activated, indicating an impending crash. Adaptive cruise control, parking assist, blind spot warning, rear Pre-sense, and rear cross traffic warning are optional until 2024. For 2025, blind spot warning, blind spot assistance, rear cross traffic warning and reverse automatic emergency braking are standard.

2015-2021
2015 Redesign Year

This wholly redesigned Audi A3 is part of a wave of compact luxury-branded models for buyers who have one eye on their budget and the other on gas prices. While it's tempting to get the basic Premium model, with the 1.8-liter engine for its relatively low price, you might be happier with the Premium Plus trim, which includes more of the features you expect in a luxury car and lets you get the Driver Assistance package, which includes blind-spot monitoring. For 2016, Audi added a standard backup camera, heated mirrors, and a USB port—replacing the optional media interface and its unique Audi proprietary cable. Also, a front-wheel drive hatchback with a plug-in hybrid powertrain joined the line.

2006-2014
2006 Redesign Year
The A3 is an upscale little hatchback with a tasteful interior and, in most versions, a gutsy turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. Closely related to the VW Golf and Jetta, the A3 hatchback resembles a small wagon. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available as an option. We found the A3 quite nimble and quick in our tests, but the steering feels a little too light at low speeds. The automated manual S-tronic transmission works very well. A more powerful 3.2-liter V6 was optional on front-drive and standard with AWD models until 2009. Starting with 2010, the V6 went away and a 140-hp four-cylinder diesel joined the lineup. The 2013 models were the last year for this version of the little hatchback, as a new sedan replaced it for the 2015 model year.