Audi A3
Audi A3
Audi A3

2018 Audi A3 sedan

Pros: Nimble, sporty handling with decent ride quality; upscale (if understated) cabin; available all-wheel drive; peppy acceleration

Cons: Limited passenger and cargo room; some drivers dislike Audi MMI infotainment system; premium-grade gasoline is required

CG Says: The 2018 Audi A3 adds a high-performance RS 3 model and base models gain standard heated front seats and two USB ports. The premium compact A3 is available in 4-door-sedan or 2-door-convertible form. The sporty S3 and RS 3 come only as a sedan, and the e-Tron Sportback is available only as a 4-door hatchback. The e-Tron plug-in hybrid is front-drive only and is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor for a total output of 204 horsepower. The e-Tron has an all-electric driving range of up to 17 miles (its electric motor puts out 102 hp on its own). The conventional A3’s engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four which makes 186 hp in the front-wheel-drive A3, 220 hp in all-wheel-drive A3 quattro, and 292 hp in the S3. The RS 3 is powered by a 400-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder. The front-wheel-drive A3 and RS 3 have a 7-speed automated manual transmission, while all-wheel-drive A3 and S3 have a 6-speed automated-manual transmission. Both transmissions work much like an automatic. The A3 significantly undercuts the base prices of Audi larger A4 compact lineup and offers a similarly invigorating driving personality, albeit in a smaller, slightly less versatile package. If you can live with the cozy passenger- and cargo room, the A3 is an excellent premium compact. The S3 offers even zippier performance and the RS 3 is almost supercar fast, but both require a fairly steep price premium. The e-Tron Sportback offers the cargo-versatility benefits of a hatchback body style (which we hope Audi eventually sees fit to offer on the rest of the A3 line) and superior efficiency for a reasonable price premium and only minor sacrifices in all-around performance.

The Facts
Class Premium Compact Car
Body Style(s) 4-door sedan, 2-door convertible, 4-door hatchback
Passenger Count 5,4
Drive Wheels front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Audi
Nation of Manufacture Germany, Hungary
Base Prices 2.0T Premium sedan: $32,925
2.0T Premium Plus sedan: $36,175
2.0T Prestige sedan: $41,675
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium sedan: $35,925
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium Plus sedan: $39,175
AWD 2.0T quattro Prestige sedan: $44,675
2.0T Premium convertible: $39,325
2.0T Premium Plus convertible: $42,575
2.0T Prestige convertible: $47,775
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium convertible: $42,025
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium Plus convertible: $45,275
AWD 2.0T quattro Prestige convertible: $50,475
AWD S3 Premium Plus sedan: $44,625
AWD S3 Prestige sedan: $49,925
AWD RS 3 sedan: $55,450
e-Tron Premium Sportback: $40,475
e-Tron Premium Plus Sportback: $43,575
e-Tron Prestige Sportback: $49,075

Base Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (A3)
Horsepower
186 (220 with all-wheel drive)
Std. Transmission
7-speed automated manual
Avail. Transmission
6-speed automated manual (all-wheel drive)
EPA City Range (mpg)
22-26
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
30-33

Optional Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (S3)
Horsepower
292
Std. Transmission
6-speed automated manual
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
22
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
28

Optional Engine
turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder/electric (e-Tron)
Horsepower
204
Std. Transmission
6-speed automated manual
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA Gas Engine Combined (mpg)
36
EPA Electric Engine Combined (MPGe)
83

Optional Engine
turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (RS 3)
Horsepower
400
Std. Transmission
7-speed automated manual
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
19
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
28

Audi A3 Cabriolet
2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Audi S3
2018 Audi S3 sedan
news-2017-audi-a3-e-tron-2-1
2018 Audi A3 e-Tron Sportback
NHTSA Ratings
Overall - 5
100%

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Crash - 4
80%
Side Crash - 5
100%
Rollover - 4
80%

For complete ratings click here.

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