Audi A3
Audi A3
Audi A3

2019 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 2019 Audi A3 has revised horsepower ratings and some models get new transmissions. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is now rated at 184 horsepower for front-wheel drive cars and 228 hp for all-wheel drive quattros versus last year’s ratings of 186 and 220 respectively. The quattro swaps its 6-speed automated manual transmission for a 7-speed automated manual transmission. Front-wheel-drive versions also have a 7-speed automated manual transmission. Horsepower for the sporty S3 drops slightly from 292 to 288, but it also exchanges a 6-speed automated manual transmission for a 7-speed automated manual. The turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine of the high-performance RS 3 is now rated at 394 hp instead of the previous 400. The RS 3 also gains a 7-speed automated manual transmission. The e-Tron plug-in hybrid has been dropped. The premium compact A3 is available in 4-door-sedan or 2-door-convertible form. S3 and RS 3 come only as a sedan. The 2019 Audi 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 Facts
Class Premium Compact Car
Body Style(s) 4-door sedan, 2-door convertible
Passenger Count 5, 4
Drive Wheels front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Audi
Nation of Manufacture Germany, Hungary
Base Prices 2.0T Titanium sedan: $34,295
2.0T Premium sedan: $36,595
2.0T Premium Plus sedan: $37,495
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium Plus sedan: $40,595
2.0T Prestige sedan: $42,695
AWD 2.0T quattro Prestige sedan: $45,795
2.0T Premium convertible: $39,895
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium convertible: $42,695
2.0T Premium Plus convertible: $43,295
AWD 2.0T quattro Premium Plus convertible: $46,095
2.0T Prestige convertible: $48,095
AWD 2.0T quattro Prestige convertible: $50,895
AWD S3 Premium Plus sedan: $45,495
AWD S3 Prestige sedan: $50,795
AWD RS 3 sedan: $57,195

Base Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (A3)
Horsepower
184 (228 with all-wheel drive)
Std. Transmission
7-speed automated manual
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
22-26
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
30-35

Optional Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (S3)
Horsepower
288
Std. Transmission
7-speed automated-manual
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
22
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
29

Optional Engine
turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (RS 3)
Horsepower
394
Std. Transmission
7-speed automated manual
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
19
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
28

Audi A3 Cabriolet
2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Audi RS 3
2019 Audi RS 3 sedan
Audi S3
2019 Audi S3 sedan
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.

Share this: