The Audi A3 is offered as a sedan, convertible, or 5-door Sportback. Available engines include a turbocharged 1.8L unit that produces 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. This engine sends power to the front wheels through a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A 2.0L turbodiesel (TDI) engine making 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque is a fuel economy hero in the A3 range, and Audi estimates 36 mpg in combined city and highway driving for the TDI. Like the 1.8 engine, the 2.0L TDI sends power to the front wheels through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A 2.0L turbocharged gasoline engine makes the A3 a little bit speedier, with 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the 1.8 and TDI versions, any A3 powered by a 2.0L gasoline engine sends power to all-four wheels via quattro all-wheel drive. A high-performance version of this same engine powers the Audi S3, where it makes 292 horsepower -- enough to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Finally, the A3 Sportback e-tron hybrid utilizes an electric motor that makes 102 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, plus a 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine capable of 150 horsepower. When combined, the two powerplants make 204 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful hybrids available. The Sportback e-tron can drive on purely electric power for about 17 miles,
The Audi A3 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige, while the S3 is available only in Premium Plus and Prestige trims.
The Premium trim includes leather seating, a panoramic glass sunroof, bi-xenon automatic headlights, power adjustable side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12-way power adjustable driver's seat, rearview camera and parking sensors, "Alu-optic" interior trim, heated mirrors and washer nozzles, and a 10-speaker sound system with a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
The Premium Plus trim adds 18-inch wheels, aluminum interior trim, and a keyless entry system. The Prestige package, meanwhile, includes everything in Premium Plus, as well as an S-line exterior body kit, a Bang and Olufsen sound system, a navigation system, Audi connect and LED headlights.
Safety features on the A3 and S3 include anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control and a tire pressure monitoring system. Airbags include advanced driver and passenger front airbags, knee airbags, thorax side airbags as well as side curtain airbags. An anti-theft alarm system comes standard, while Active Lane Assist, Audi Pre-Sense automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control are all optional on the A3 Prestige.
Compact Size
Upscale Feel
Clean Styling
Available All-wheel Drive
Three Body Styles, Including Convertible
Hybrid Model
High-performance S3
For 2016, Audi has expanded the A3's standard feature list, which now includes a rearview camera and parking sensors, "Alu-optic" interior trim, and heated mirrors and washer nozzles. Additionally, Active Lane Assist, Audi Pre-Sense automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control are all optional on the A3 Prestige trim. 4G LTE data connectivity, S-line styling, and a Bang & Olufsen audio are now available on all A3 trim levels.
Later in the model year, the 5-door Sportback "e-tron" will debut. This A3 hybrid is capable of running on pure electric power, gasoline power, or a combination of the two.
The Audi A3 competes against other compact premium cars such as the BMW 2-Series, the Mercedes CLA and, to a lesser extent, the MINI Cooper. In past decades, owning a small car meant dealing with little more than bare bones transportation. These days though, owners of small cars need not be deprived of anything, and the A3 looks to continue that trend by offering a vehicle with a small footprint but with luxury-car performance and amenities. The A3 starts under $31,000.
