Shining our hubcaps
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The fourth-generation Audi A3 launched in 2020, in a lineage stretching back to the original A3 of 1996. The playbook is the same as ever though: the same kind of size, practicality, and running costs as more prosaic family hatchbacks (and, in the case of the last couple of A3s, a saloon version too), but with Audi standards of quality and desirability.
As such, the current A3 still feels a step above a lot of other cars in this class, while a wide range of engines gives both new and used buyers plenty of options. A premium car usually means a premium price tag, but that’s where finding a used A3 comes in - if you don’t need the very latest registration on your driveway, then buying an A3 that’s a year or two old can save you quite a lot of money.
The Audi A3 has been one of the most desirable family hatchbacks around ever since the first model arrived in the 1990s, and that hasn’t changed more than quarter of a century on. In purely pragmatic terms there’s little reason to choose an A3 over the Volkswagen Golf it shares a platform with, but for some the extra money will be worth it to put that four-ringed badge on the driveway.
Like its siblings from VW, SEAT, and Skoda, the current A3 features a cabin design which puts quite a bit of emphasis on controlling things through a touchscreen, which won’t be to all tastes, while seasoned A3 buyers may find the touch controls for the headlights less intuitive than the old rotary dial too. But in most respects this is a well-built, usable, and spacious cabin, and the boot is a decent size too.
Audi offers a choice of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid power in the A3, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, but even the least powerful petrol gets down the road quite nicely, while the A3’s ride and handling is more than acceptable - though the ride does deteriorate on larger wheel options. Refinement is excellent though.
The A3’s key rivals are the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, each of which is of similar size and offers a similarly broad engine lineup. The BMW still has the edge for driving fun (despite losing the older 1 Series’ unique selling point of rear-wheel drive), while the Mercedes has the more novel cabin design. Premium models aren’t your only options though - the VW Golf is still a great choice in this class, and for a premium feel but less chance of parking next to one at the supermarket, the Mazda 3 is also worth a look.
There’s no hardship in sticking with the basic trim level in the A3, which means Technik for earlier cars and Sport for later ones - it’s a well-equipped car even in standard form, including everything from a Virtual Cockpit driver display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen, to cruise control, parking sensors, and LED headlights. These lower-trim models also have smaller wheels, which aren’t as stylish but do help the ride quality.
1261-1278 of 1,280 vehicles
Of the engines, the 30 TFSI is peppy for only being a 1-litre unit, but if you can spare the extra cash, the 1.5-litre 35 TFSI is probably a better starting point, with similar on-paper economy to the 1-litre but significantly better performance. For maximum economy, the TFSI e models make sense if you have somewhere to plug in, and the 35 TDI is the best option if you don’t. Remember there’s a saloon variant, too - it’s a stylish device, but the hatchback is more practical.
Below is a selection of trim levels you’re likely to find on the used market, though later cars feature a different lineup, starting with Sport, going through S Line, and currently ending with Black Edition, with the usual gloss black exterior pack seen on similar models across the Audi range.
The Audi A3’s dimensions are:
The Audi A3’s boot size is:
Conventional petrol and diesel A3s are subject to a £190 annual VED bill for the 2024/2025 tax year, provided they cost below the £40,000 threshold - models that cost more than this when new (mainly the S3 and RS3, which we’ve covered in detail elsewhere) are bumped up to £600 a year until their seventh year on the road. The plug-in hybrid A3s get a discount of £10 per year, whether or not the surcharge is applied.
The Audi A3 starts at insurance group 18 for a 30 TFSI Sport, and rises all the way up to group 46 for the five-cylinder RS3 hot hatch. These numbers are pretty typical for a premium hatchback - the BMW 1 Series spans groups 16 to 28, and the equivalent sporty model, the BMW M2, is in group 42.
£29,150
£32,690
£33,995
£30,945
£28,490
What is the most popular colour for Audi A3 ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Audi A3 ?
What is the most popular fuel type for Audi A3 ?
What is the most popular engine for Audi A3 ?
What is the average mileage for Audi A3 ?
14451
How many Audi A3 cars are available for sale?
1472
