Audi A3

Audi A3 at a glance

Every A3 has a transverse four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive as standard and quattro on selected versions. The second and third generations introduced the five-door Sportback, the sedan and the cabriolet. More of the range is in our Audi catalogue, and the brand's story is told in the history of Audi.

Audi A3 generations

First generation: 8L (1996–2003)

The first A3 hatchback appeared in 1996, was updated in 2000 and stayed in production until 2003; 880,000 were built. Its rounded styling was fashionable at the time: a slightly sculpted bonnet, narrow halogen headlights, a small grille with a large badge, fog lamps in the bumper and 15-inch alloy wheels. Ground clearance is 140 mm.

The five-seat cabin is compact but fine for town use, with good materials and build quality; leather and heated seats were available. The four-spoke leather steering wheel faces large analogue dials, and even the first A3 had a trip computer. Higher trims had a multimedia system whose small display could also show navigation directions. The 8L earned four stars out of five in crash testing — a strong result for a debut model. The boot holds 350 litres, or 1,100 litres with the rear seats folded.

Engines started with a 1.6 of 74 kW (101 PS), followed by a naturally aspirated 1.8 with 92 kW (125 PS) and turbocharged 1.8 versions with 110 or 132 kW (150 or 180 PS). 1.9-litre TDI diesels produced 66–96 kW (90–130 PS). Gearboxes were five- and six-speed manuals and four- and five-speed automatics; most cars were front-wheel drive, with four-wheel-drive versions also offered. The front suspension used MacPherson struts, and all four brakes were ventilated discs.

Second generation: 8P (2003–2012)

The 8P was launched in 2003 and updated several times. It came as a three- and five-door hatchback and a cabriolet, with a far more aggressive look that appealed to younger buyers: a large chrome single-frame grille, xenon headlights, round fog lamps, flared wheel arches with 16- or optional 17-inch wheels and indicators in the mirrors. Ground clearance remained 140 mm.

The interior still looks good today, with plenty of space, excellent assembly and high-quality trim. A leather three-spoke wheel with audio controls, analogue instruments with a trip display, round air vents and a navigation and media screen set the tone; higher trims have leather seats with side bolsters, electric adjustment and heating. Rear space is good for the class, and the rear seat has an armrest. The boot holds 370 litres, rising to 1,100 litres.

All are four-cylinder petrol engines paired with a six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. The 2.0 could be ordered with quattro four-wheel drive.

Third generation: 8V (2012–2020)

The 8V was unveiled in 2012 as a three-door hatchback, followed by the five-door Sportback, a sedan and a cabriolet, and a 2016 facelift brought a sharper look, new technology and more options. The large grille dominates the front, flanked by LED headlights (xenon and full-LED units were optional). Wheels range from 16 to 19 inches, and the rear has two-part tail lights, a spoiler and a diffuser.

The interior moved up a class. The 12.3-inch digital instrument display can show a full navigation map, a retractable 7-inch MMI screen sits on top of the dashboard with improved smartphone integration, and the centre armrest houses wireless phone charging. Sound insulation is good. Three people can sit in the back, though the centre passenger is hampered by the transmission tunnel; a wheelbase 34 mm longer than before gives more leg- and headroom. The boot holds 380 litres, or 1,220 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Two turbocharged, direct-injection TFSI four-cylinders were common:

• 1.4 TFSI: 110 kW (150 PS), 250 Nm, six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic, front-wheel drive.
• 2.0 TFSI: 140 kW (190 PS), 320 Nm, seven-speed S tronic, front-wheel drive or quattro.

Depending on version, 0–100 km/h takes 6.2–8.2 seconds, top speed is 220–236 km/h and combined consumption 4.6–5.7 l/100 km. The 8V uses the modular MQB platform with MacPherson struts at the front, a multi-link rear axle, electromechanical power steering and disc brakes.

Fourth generation: 8Y (2020 onwards)

The A3 Sportback of the fourth generation was revealed in early spring 2020 and went on sale in Germany in May 2020, priced from €28,900. It is offered as a five-door Sportback and a sedan. The roofline drops slightly towards the rear, the headlights have an additional lower section with pixel-style lighting graphics, and there are larger bumper intakes, diffusers with chrome inserts, five-spoke wheels of 16 to 19 inches and slim LED tail lights.

The interior was completely redesigned. A digital instrument display with three modes replaces analogue dials, and the touchscreen now sits lower in the dashboard. The MMI system has almost ten times the computing power of its predecessor and can be controlled by touch, from the steering wheel or by voice. New seats have stronger side support and a wide range of adjustment; the rear is comfortable except for very tall passengers.

At launch there were two four-cylinder engines: a 1.5 TFSI petrol with turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing, rated at 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm, and a 2.0 TDI common-rail diesel with 85 kW (116 PS) or 110 kW (150 PS). Base versions have a six-speed manual and front-wheel drive; a seven-speed S tronic is optional. More powerful engines, quattro and the 40 and 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrids followed, along with the S3 and RS 3. The updated MQB platform uses a twist-beam rear axle for versions up to 110 kW (150 PS) and multi-link suspension for more powerful ones. A sports suspension lowered by 15 mm and adaptive dampers are optional; brakes are discs all round (ventilated at the front).

Safety (8Y)

The fourth-generation A3 has seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and large curtain airbags, plus seat-belt monitoring for the front row. Driver assistance includes Audi pre sense front, which detects obstacles ahead and brakes automatically, adaptive cruise control and a traffic-jam assistant that can take over driving in slow-moving queues. Standard equipment at launch included front and side airbags, a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, full-LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, electric windows all round, a touchscreen infotainment system, ABS, EBD, ESP and climate control.

Key specifications by generation

Strengths and weaknesses

Owners of the third-generation A3 praise its handling, looks, comfort, fuel economy, build quality, reliability and roomy boot. Some complain about the gearbox, expensive servicing and rearward visibility. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1 Series, Opel Astra, Honda Civic and Mazda3.