Overview & Reviews

Introduced in the mid-1990s in Europe and brought to the United States in 2006, the A3 is Audi's entry-level model for the North American market. Smaller and lighter than the A4, the Audi A3 presents a strong argument for buying a bargain sport sedan or wagon, provided one goes easy on the options. And just because this is Audi's entry-level car doesn't mean the company cuts corners on quality. The cabin's design and materials are up to the lofty standards Audi has set for the industry, meaning everything fits tightly, moves with precision and looks and feels top-shelf.

Those considering a used version of this junior Audi should know that most of the ones they see for sale will be the wagon, which was the only body style available until 2015. For many the A3 will be an alternative choice -- few luxury automakers bother making small hatchbacks. As such, it's an upscale alternative to more mainstream hatchbacks and a cheaper alternative to a luxury wagon or sedan. Furthermore, with the clean-burning diesel engine option it also makes an extremely-fuel efficient alternative to hybrids. But whether you're considering an A3 wagon or sedan, it offers the distinct German flavor of Audi, that being one of engineering excellence combined with an upscale cabin.

Current Audi A3
Introduced for 2015, the latest version of the Audi A3 comes solely in a four-door sedan body style, although a convertible is rumored to debut within the model year. Initially, there are two main trim levels: the front-wheel-drive 1.8 TFSI and the all-wheel-drive 2.0 TFSI. A diesel-powered TDI version is set to debut later in the model year.

The 1.8 TFSI has a turbocharged 1.8-liter four that produces 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0 TFSI has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four with 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come matched to a six-speed automated manual transmission.

Both the 1.8 and 2.0 A3s start off in Premium trim and offer two available packages, dubbed Premium Plus and Prestige. Highlights of the Premium include xenon headlights, a sunroof, leather upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a 10-speaker sound system. The Premium Plus adds keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. The Prestige features LED headlights, added exterior styling tweaks, power-folding side mirrors, a navigation system, Audi Connect (WiFi hotspot and various smartphone applications) and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Options include a Sport package, adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system and a front collision warning and braking system.

In reviews, we've been impressed with the Audi A3's grown-up personality; it feels more like an honest-to-goodness luxury car rather than a fancy compact. The ride is composed and comfortable, the cabin is quiet and the turbocharged engines provide plenty of punch around town and on the freeway. Superb fuel economy helps as well. Surprisingly, the A3 doesn't feel especially sprightly when driving around town, due to its somewhat light and numb steering feel at lower speeds. However, it perks up when driven with more enthusiasm. Particularly when equipped with the 2.0-liter engine and all-wheel drive, the A3 feels like a running back in bankers' clothing.

Used Audi A3 Models
The previous-generation Audi A3 was introduced as a 2006 model in the United States and was produced through 2013. There was no 2014 model. It came only in a four-door hatchback body style that some might consider a small wagon.

A 2.0-liter, 200-hp turbocharged inline-4 and front-wheel drive were standard. Audi offered either a six-speed manual transmission or a quick-shifting six-speed automated manual transmission (S tronic). All-wheel drive was optional starting in 2009, and it came with the S tronic transmission. From 2006-'09 a 3.2-liter V6 engine was available that produced 250 hp. It was outfitted with all-wheel drive and the S tronic transmission as standard. Starting in 2010, Audi began offering a 140-hp, 2.0-liter diesel-powered engine (TDI). It came as front-wheel drive only and had the S tronic transmission.

Originally, the A3 came in 2.0T and 3.2 Quattro trim levels. Standard features on the 2.0T included 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control and a 10-speaker audio system. The "S line" Package provided a sport-tuned suspension, sport seats with leather upholstery and special exterior styling. The Premium package also included some of the S line's items but added a power driver seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and rain-sensing wipers. The 3.2 Quattro included almost all of the equipment from the S line and Premium packages as standard. Notable options on both trim levels were xenon headlights, a sunroof, a navigation system, Bluetooth, iPod integration and a Cold Weather package.

The most significant changes for this generation took place for 2009. The exterior and interior were refreshed, most notably with Audi's signature larger grille and LED running lights. Leather upholstery, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack became standard equipment, while the 2.0T could now be equipped with all-wheel drive. For 2010, new Premium and Premium Plus trim level names debuted. From then on through 2013, only minor equipment updates took place.

In reviews at the time, we found that this generation of A3 struck an agreeable balance between athletic handling and a comfy ride. With the base 2.0-liter engine, it provided energetic acceleration along with good fuel economy. The V6 was a little quicker, but not dramatically so. The A3 TDI's ample low-end torque was nice around town but the engine could feel winded at higher speeds. As for passenger space, the A3's hatchback design provided some added versatility, but the small rear seat was cramped for adults.

User Reviews:

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  31,000 miles of fun - 2015 Audi A3
  By David - September 9 - 5:54 pm

  Ive waited to review this after Ive had plenty of time with it and now that the vehicle has just about 31k miles, I have to day that it is a really great car. Maybe Ive been lucky, but I have had no issues with my vehicle. I like how quiet it is compared to my last car and it seems to fit me perfectly. Granted, Im only 56" so Im on the shorter side, but I bought it for me and not my friends. Taller and larger friends complain, but I just ignore them. I will say that the back seat is not that comfortable for my wife and growing son, but she can always sit up front. About the only thing I have done is change the tires at 25k. The rear tires were already bald so hopefully the current set (different manufacturer) will last longer. The things I like the best is the air conditioning and the volume knob on the center console as well as the volume control on the steering wheel. To me, the placement of the knob is very intuitive and always easy to get to the right position. The a/c, with summer days of 110+ where I live, always cools down fast for me. It is by far the best a/c system Ive used in a car. One other gripe I have with the car is that the MMI wheel seems to go in the wrong direction. Ive owned it over a year and it just seems off. Ive heard theyve reversed it in newer vehicles so Im hoping its something a software update could take care of. Speaking of MMI hardware/software upgrade, dont count on it. It can be upgraded, but Im doubtful Audi will do it so you have to like it how you bought it. Overall, I really enjoy the car and even though my eye often wanders to other vehicles, I still am really happy with the A3.

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  Love hate relationship - 2015 Audi A3
  By Natasha - August 29 - 7:02 pm

  I loved my 2015 A3 when I first bought it, but after 9,500 miles I began to have problems. My car would turn over, but it was unable to accelerate. The dealership had my car over two weeks and finally told me there was a defective spring on the cylinder. Once I got the car back the EPC light started coming on and I lose power while trying to accelerate. At other times when I accelerate the car loses power without the EPC light coming on. I took it back to the dealer and Im going on day three with still no answers. I only have 12,000 miles on this car and I shouldnt be having these huge problems. I love the look, comfort and feel of my car. When its running I love it, but I am VERY concerned that i will continue to have problems with the car. On another note you cannot fit normal sized adults in the back seats. Their heads dont fit and there is no leg room. The cup holders in the front are awful and it is very difficult to put large drinks in them without spilling.

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  Love my A3 - 2017 Audi A3
  By Nina Psihoules - July 20 - 1:47 pm

  I love this car. I leased a 2015 A3 base model, and loved it so much I upgraded to a 2017 Premium Quattro. Although it is a little small for my husbands comfort (hes 62") I am completely comfortable in the car. I feel safe and secure. I hope to own this car for a very long time.

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  Great car! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Dan - July 3 - 8:36 pm

  Just test drove the A3 6-sp manual and was pleasently surprised. The engine is great, inside is beautiful. Outside design is one of the best for the hatch. The car is a dream, smooth, quiet, fast, comfortable. It was 4 of us in the car, including a child seat in the back, behind the passenger, and enough room. With all of us and full tank, the car is accelerating in the 6th gear.

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  2016 Audi A3 Love Mine! - 2016 Audi A3
  By LolaJade - June 23 - 12:18 pm

  I was worried going from an A4 to an A3 but for the value I got for the price this car is perfect! Carlsbad Audi is awesome to work with.

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  Empty Nesters Love 2016 Audi Cabriolet - 2016 Audi A3
  By Nathan - April 6 - 9:55 am

  Wife and I are "empty nesters," making the A3 cabriolet perfect for us. The ride is quiet, sufficiently powerful and "luxury smooth." The standard leather seats are very comfortable. The inside is laid out thoughtfully and everything is accessed conveniently. Car is quite handsome with top up or down and the convertible top is incredibly easy to operate in all respects. The Audi 3 seems to have all the latest technology---as much as I could possibly need and deal with. The ability to leave my iPod home and enjoy all my music from a custom-loaded, tiny sound card is just one of the many very nice little extras I discovered after buying this car.The windscreen is a great standard feature that is remarkably effective in minimizing the wind inside the cabin---wife thankfully no longer needs to put the windows up when the top is down in order to protect her hairdo. Only oddity is that power seats are not available at any price---no problem for us, though, since I am pretty much the only driver. The car is a bit pricey but the quality seems to be there and Ive learned that you get only what you pay for. Thus, Im confident this A3 cabriolet will be a durable and reliable car for us for many years to come. It is truly a pleasure to drive and Im quite proud to be seen in it.

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  Fun to drive. Poor to maintain. - 2008 Audi A3
  By Jay - February 20 - 8:59 pm

  We bought 2008 A3 in 2015 with only 27000 miles on it. It is FUN to drive! It feels like a race horse wishing to run! This thing is made for highway driving. Its ability to accelerate and maneuver is the best I have ever felt. That said, it is annoying to drive in city. The least little bit of pressure on accelerator causes it to jump, sometimes too far too fast! It is very uncomfortable / awkard to get in and out of, and I am an average size American guy (58, 200 lbs). The worst aspect is the inability to find qualified, reliable mechanics who are willing to work on the vehicle. I have owned Ford, Isuzu, Honda, and Toyotas. I never had an issue with find qualified mechanics with those brands. Here, it took awhile to find one outside of a dealership. Audi has a management software that few mechanics have access to, and I live in south Florida, not middle of nowhere Montana, North Dakota, etc.! Also, due to low profile, going over any railroad tracks or potholes can be annoying at best, or expensive at worst. We went over one, and fractured the radiator support, which needed to be replaced. I saw later that it was made completely of plastic! How cheap! A front-end structural support made of plastic, how cheap on Audi!

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  wonderful - 2006 Audi A3
  By UCLA Driver - February 18 - 11:10 pm

  I have had this car for about three weeks and I love it. Coming from a Camry family it has been like traveling to a new world with the amount of handling and road grip the Audi has especially on the winding souther california roads. The powerseats of the premium are really the only things I wish I could have withy my sports package. But really, the interior is classy and functional, the leather doesnt get really hot in the sun, and I have black ext. and black int. The only thing you have to get used to is that the car is slightly jumpy when you hit the gas, and when you park it rolls a couple of inches. The other options I got were the open sky and xenon headlights and the DSG.

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  New A3 a Fine Addition To the Audi Line - 2006 Audi A3
  By ready4c - December 28 - 1:10 am

  I have only owned the car for a week, and have put on about 300 miles, but it is solid, quiet and fast. Yes, it is rather expensive for its size, but the list of features is long and all are useable.

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  A3 TDI review - Edmonds doesnt offer option - 2011 Audi A3
  By civil westman - November 25 - 10:44 pm

  What a disappointment! OK for 21/2 years 15K miles, then problems began. 18 months of a slow coolant leak which dealer could not find. Had to keep a gallon of coolant with me at all times. Finally, after warranty expired, the dealer replaced the water pump to cure the problem. Wanted to charge me for it. After pointing out that it had been in three times over the past 18 months, they decided it was under warranty. Now with 55K miles, the waste gate regulation valve on the turbo has failed, along with a pressure line to the turbo (I previously owned a Jetta TDI, given to my son, whose turbo failed at 46K miles - this failure occurred after I had bought the Audi). So far, up to about $1500 in repairs on a car with has lost 20% of its value due to the emissions shenanigans. I am waiting to see if Audi will offer to buy it back. A recent court settlement calls for them to buy back the older TDIs on the road and "repair" (read destroy the good mileage) the newer ones. Needless to say, THIS IS MY LAST VW/AUDI PRODUCT.