This is the A3: Audi’s bread and butter model, a reliable all-round compact car in its fourth generation that continues to sell well despite the endless and unstoppable rise of SUVs.
It competes with its arch rivals from BMW and Mercedes – the 1 Series and the A-Class – and shares all mechanical components with Volkswagen’s Golf 8 and the latest Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon models.
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How does it stay ahead?
The A3 has perfected its conservative setup, avoiding passing fads and trends to offer a consistent piece of premium German automotive craftsmanship. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a refresh to keep up with the times: a facelift of the fourth-generation car in 2024 was mostly light, but focused on some much-needed improvements.
So what’s new about the A3?
The latest A3 Sportback (or hatchback, if you’re not a middle-aged marketing manager) not only gets minimal exterior styling changes, but also adds configurable daytime running lights (you can choose from different patterns) and optional LED matrix headlights. The interior, meanwhile, gets some fancier materials and a higher level of standard equipment. Oh, and a couple of USB-C ports and a wireless charger for your phone.
Other new features include a new app store in the infotainment system: Depending on what you like, you can download a range of free and paid apps into the car. Another navigation system? Spotify? The world is your oyster.
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Audi is also trying a new “features on demand” approach: The assumption is that there are certain things – like self-parking technology or adaptive headlights – that you don’t want to buy outright, but are willing to give Audi some money for for limited periods of time. Hmm. We’re not so sure.
Audi has put a little more effort into making the S3 hot hatch more fun to drive, so if you’re looking for a zippier, more entertaining A3, look no further. But mechanically, nothing has changed.
Which engines can I get?
There are currently three powertrains to choose from: a 1.5-litre 30 TFSI with 114 hp and 250 Nm that accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, as well as a 1.5-litre 35 TFSI petrol and a 2.0-litre 35 TDI diesel, both of which produce 148 hp and accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. More options will be added soon, including, of course, a plug-in hybrid.
For now, however, the more powerful petrol engine is the best choice. It is a little more refined, more socially acceptable and not far behind the diesel in terms of economy. Both manage over 50 mpg in mixed driving.
How does it drive?
Very good, in fact. Audi must have drawn up a Venn diagram of comfort, engagement and refinement and put the A3 right in the middle, because it successfully ticks all three boxes. A capable chassis and quick steering make for fluid handling, ride quality is impressively broad and once you’re settled in for a drive, you don’t need to shout at your passengers. What more could you want from an everyday car?
How much does it cost?
The selection is still quite compact at the moment, but if you know Audi, that will change over time. The entry-level petrol Sport model starts at just under £28,000 and for the top-of-the-range Black Edition model with a diesel engine you’ll pay around £37,000.
Additionally, you have the choice between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. The PHEV will certainly be the most expensive option when it joins the lineup. See the “How to buy” section for more information.
Our selection from the range
AUDI
35 TFSI Sport 5dr S Tronic
£31,760
What is the verdict?
“Most people will be seduced by the image, the logo and the impression of technology… but this is a fundamentally well thought out car”
The A3 Sportback is the most versatile premium compact car you can get right now. The BMW 1 Series is a sportier choice (but pays for this with a harsher ride and more road noise), and the Mercedes A-Class, despite its tech-packed dashboard, trails both by a long way.
The Audi strikes a good balance between easy family transport, incredibly well-mannered refinement and a chassis that gives it a little more power than the old A3s. As a car that can do it all, there’s little to complain about.
Most people are seduced by the image, the logo and the impression of the technology, and the A3 meets these criteria too. But underneath it all lies a fundamentally well-designed car with few noticeable flaws. We like it.
