Audi A3 review

The Audi A3 is one of the best hatchbacks you can buy right now, but it is costly

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RRP £30,300

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Audi A3 right driving

Audi A3 front left driving

Audi A3 front right driving

Audi A3 rear left driving

Audi A3 front left static

Audi A3 grille detail

Audi A3 alloy wheel

Audi A3 rear detail

Audi A3 Sportback front seats

Audi A3 Sportback back seats

Audi A3 Sportback steering wheel detail

Audi A3 infotainment touchscreen

Audi A3 Sportback dashboard detail

Audi A3 door detail

Audi A3 air-con controls

Audi A3 Sportback interior detail

Audi A3 Sportback interior detail

Lawrence Cheung test driving Audi A3

Audi A3 Sportback boot

Audi A3 rear right driving

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Audi A3 right driving

Audi A3 front left driving

Audi A3 front right driving

Audi A3 rear left driving

Audi A3 front left static

Audi A3 grille detail

Audi A3 alloy wheel

Audi A3 rear detail

Audi A3 Sportback front seats

Audi A3 Sportback back seats

Audi A3 Sportback steering wheel detail

Audi A3 infotainment touchscreen

Audi A3 Sportback dashboard detail

Audi A3 door detail

Audi A3 air-con controls

Audi A3 Sportback interior detail

Audi A3 Sportback interior detail

Lawrence Cheung test driving Audi A3

Audi A3 Sportback boot

Audi A3 rear right driving

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Leasing deals

From £312

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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Audi A3

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £312.36 Initial payment £3,748.32

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

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£3,993 total upfront (£3,748 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

Power

148 bhp

0-62 mph

8.1 s

Efficiency

53.3 mpg

Figures for 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Hatchback

Hybrid

Plug-in hybrid

Jump to:

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Buying & owning

Lawrence Cheung

Lawrence Cheung

Updated: 22 May 2025

How we test cars

Audi's venture into Formula 1 goes to show that the brand is nothing if not competitive; something the Audi A3 demonstrates. It has long been comfortable, enjoyable to drive, spacious enough inside for most families and available with a decent range of engines. 

A mid-life update gave the A3 revised exterior styling, updated LED headlights with configurable light signatures for a sportier RS look, and a plusher interior. The engine line-up is more or less unchanged, except that the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version has had a battery upgrade to vastly improve its electric-only range.

New car deals

Best price from £26,990

A circular icon with a £ sign at the centre.

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £26,990

RRP from: £30,300

Available now

From £26,990

Leasing deals

From £312

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Audi A3

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £312.36 Initial payment £3,748.32

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

£3,993 total upfront (£3,748 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

Audi A3 video review

So is the Audi A3 hatchback – officially called the A3 Sportback – good enough to maintain or improve its position among the best family cars, including the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class and Volkswagen Golf? Read on to find out, or to read about the saloon, see our Audi A3 Saloon review.

Verdict

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Comfortable, enjoyable to drive and sufficiently spacious inside for the most part, the Audi A3 is as good as ever – better even, now that a facelift has brought up the level of interior quality. The Sport 35 TFSI version is the best of the bunch for private buyers while the 40 TFSIe is one of the best plug-in hybrids around for company car drivers.

What's new?

Best buy

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback 5dr Petrol S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) review

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback 5dr Petrol S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) review

RRP £32,860

Pros

Cons

What's new?

Best buy

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback 5dr Petrol S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) review

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback 5dr Petrol S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) review

RRP £32,860

Trims available


Sport

Sport models get cruise control, three-zone air conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a rear bench that folds in a 60/40 split.

S line

S Line benefits from includes 18in alloy wheels, sports suspension, S line front and rear bumpers, stainless steel pedals, a flat-bottom steering wheel and customisable multi-colour interior lighting, and a rear bench that folds in a 40/20/40 split.

Black Edition

Black Edition introduces a black exterior styling package, 18in wheels and door-mounted LEDs that project the Audi logo on to the ground when exiting the vehicle.

New car deals

Available now

Leasing deals

Performance & drive

What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is

Audi A3 rear right driving

Strengths

Weaknesses

Engine, 0-60mph and gearbox

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If you want a petrol Audi A3 Sportback, the best choice is the 148bhp 1.5-litre 150 TFSI, which can officially accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.4sec.

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It's a highly flexible engine that feels lively and pulls strongly from low revs. We've yet to try the entry-level 1.5-litre 116 TFSI but we suspect its 114bhp could feel underwhelming in a premium family hatchback.

The 148bhp 2.0-litre 150 TDI diesel has more torque (pulling power) and gets from 0-62mph quicker, taking 8.1sec. It’s strong low down in the rev range and that’s great for overtaking on a motorway – but we’d still recommend the petrol-powered 150 TFSI for cost reasons. If you want hot hatch performance, see our Audi S3 review or, better still, our Audi RS3 review.

The 204 e-Hybrid plug-in hybrid (PHEV) now has a 19.7kWh (usable capacity) battery, and can officially travel up to 88 miles on electric power alone, depending on the spec. That’s a match for the VW Golf eHybrid and beats the Mercedes A250e (up to 52 miles) and Toyota Prius (up to 53 miles).

The A3 PHEV's total power output of 201bhp allows a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec, and the electric motor is strong enough to get up to motorway speeds with ease on battery power alone.

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Suspension and ride comfort

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The A3 in entry-level Sport trim has smaller wheels and softer suspension than versions higher up the range, giving you the most forgiving and comfortable ride. The Mercedes A-Class is even softer over potholes but can become bouncy (over a series of bumps on an undulating B-road, for example).

On S line trim or higher, the A3 has a stiffer suspension set-up and bigger wheels (18in on S line and 19in on Black Edition) but remains impressively comfortable most of the time. Indeed, S line is slightly suppler than the equivalent BMW 1 Series M Sport, and when you do hit rough stuff, the A3 recovers its composure quickly, with little bobbing or bucking afterwards.

The 204 e-Hybrid plug-in hybrid version has its own set-up, which is firm but remains well controlled and thumps less over potholes and sharper ruts than the Golf eHybrid.

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Handling

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The A3's handling is predictable, secure and engaging. That even goes for entry-level Sport versions but is most evident on S line and Black Edition models with their stiffer sports suspension. They grip the road really well, with a lovely balance that leaves the car utterly unflustered by quick changes of direction and mid-corner imperfections.

It certainly makes the A3 sportier to drive than the A-Class. The A3's steering is reassuringly weighted and responsive. Nevertheless, if you like really quick-feeling steering, you might prefer the 1 Series (which feels a little more alert to your inputs).

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The 204 e-Hybrid carries some extra weight, mainly from the battery pack, so it's not quite as agile as other versions. That said, it’s still among the best-handling PHEVs on sale, offering plenty of grip and neat body control.

Noise and vibration

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All the A3 Sportback’s engines are impressively quiet most of the time. The standard-fit automatic gearbox on higher powered versions (including the PHEV) sometimes flares the engine revs if you’re a bit too enthusiastic with the accelerator, resulting in a drone. Even so, the gearbox smoothly changes through the gears.

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The A3 produces less suspension and wind noise than the A-Class but road noise is more intrusive once you head above town speeds, especially with bigger wheels fitted. Noise on a motorway is similar to in a 1 Series.

While S line versions of the A3 are noticeably stiffer in their set-up, I found that the ride remained pretty forgiving and therefore comfortable.

Oliver Young, Senior Reviewer

Tips & Advice

How to test drive a car

There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

Lawrence Cheung test driving Audi A3

Strengths

Weaknesses

Driving position and dashboard

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The Audi A3 Sportback provides a great driving position, with a standard front armrest and loads of steering wheel and seat adjustment. What's more, powered lumbar adjustment is standard on all models. It makes quite a difference on long journeys.

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All the controls and screens you use frequently are clear and within easy reach, helped by the central section of the dashboard that's angled towards the driver. The A3 has simple physical switches for the climate controls, making them much easier to adjust than the touch-sensitive controls in the VW Golf and touchscreen-based controls in the Peugeot 308.

Every A3 has an Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus digital driver's display that shows all your driving information on a crisp 12.8in screen, with various lay-outs to select from. It’s so good you don't really need the optional head-up display.

Visibility, parking sensors and cameras

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The A3's slim front pillars allow for a clear forwards view out but the chunky rear pillars and small windows can make the view over your shoulder tricky.

At least front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera are included on all versions, and you get a parking assist feature that can detect a suitable space and will manoeuvre you in.

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Bright LED headlights come as standard, and you can option matrix LED lights that can be left on full beam at all times without dazzling oncoming drivers.

Sat nav and infotainment

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The A3 Sportback's infotainment touchscreen is a good size – 12.8in – and is within easier reach than the one in the Mercedes A-Class. Some of the icons are on the small side, which can make it a bit fiddly to use.

On the plus side, the screen is sharp with good graphics, and the menus respond quickly. It's also packed with features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a wireless phone-charger and built-in sat-nav.

In addition to the standard stereo, you can upgrade to a 15-speaker Sonos surround-sound setup that's available as part of the Technology Pack. This system offers a wide range of settings but isn't as powerful or as immersive as we'd hope.

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Quality

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As part of the A3’s mid-life facelift, the interior underwent a rather clever refresh. We say clever because the changes, though minor, have had a significant impact. Notably, the prominent plastic ledge on the dashboard has been replaced with a tactile fabric crafted from recycled polyester, lending both a refined appearance and a high-quality feel.

Audi has also incorporated additional interior lighting strips, and we particularly appreciate the new perforated door panel inserts, which allow the ambient lighting to softly illuminate the cabin in the evening.

Those changes stop short of being completely transformative, though. There are still some cheaper-feeling hard plastics – on the centre console, for example. Overall, the A3 compares favourably with the Mercedes A-Class for showroom appeal but there are family cars with a higher sense of quality. For example, the BMW 1 Series and the cheaper Mazda 3 feel more luxurious.

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I’m glad you’re able to sit nice and snug inside the A3, rather than being unusually perched up like you are in some cars of a similar size.

Oliver Young, Senior Reviewer

Tips & Advice

Which smartphone integration should I have?

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps

Passenger & boot space

How it copes with people and clutter

Audi A3 Sportback boot

Strengths

Weaknesses

Front space

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The Audi A3 Sportback has more than enough leg and shoulder room for tall adults up front, with enough head room even for someone well over 6ft tall.

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The minimalist dashboard design doesn’t conceal many cubbyholes, but there are storage areas ahead of the gearlever and under the central armrest, plus a couple of cupholders in the centre console. The front door bins are each big enough for a large water bottle.

Rear space

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If you're more than 6ft tall you should still have room to get comfy in the back of the A3 Sportback but you won't exactly be sprawling out. You'll find a similar amount of space in the back of a Mercedes A-Class and a little bit more in a BMW 1 Series. The cheaper Seat Leon – and even more so the Skoda Octavia – are a lot bigger in the back.

A middle passenger will have to sit with their legs on either side of a tall hump on the floor, while the slightly raised seat base means they’ll sit with their head brushing the roof lining if they’re close to 6ft.

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There's not much storage space in the back, but you do get door pockets that can hold a small drinks bottle and – on S line trim and above – two cup holders in the fold down armrest. The optional Storage Pack includes a lockable glove box and a luggage net in the boot, but it feels a little stingy that you have to pay extra for map pockets on the backs of the front seats.

Seat folding and flexibility

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The A3 Sportback’s rear seatbacks split in a flexible 40/20/20 arrangement on mid-level S line trim and above.

However, the seats don’t move back and forth to allow you to prioritise passenger or boot space, or recline for added comfort (features you get on some family SUVs, including the Audi Q3).

The front passenger seat is manually adjustable, including for height, but it gets powered lumbar support as standard.

Boot space

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The A3 Sportback's tailgate opening is a decent size and the 380-litre boot (on non-PHEV versions) is similar in size to the 1 Series' boot. Both can fit five carry-on suitcases under their parcel shelves. A non-PHEV A-Class can go one better with six, but the Skoda Octavia beats them all for boot space.

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When you fold down the A3's back seats they lie at a slight angle, but not enough to cause major issues when loading bulky items. You get an adjustable boot floor, which can be raised to reduce the load lip at the boot entrance and ensures there’s no step caused by folding down the rear seats.

The PHEV A3 does without the height-adjustable floor and its battery eats into the boot space quite a lot, reducing the volume to 280 litres. On paper, that’s a little less than a hatchback Mercedes A250e (at 310 litres) but still enough for five carry-on cases (matching the Toyota Prius).

I think there’s probably enough space on offer in the Audi A3 for the average family. It’s proved sufficient in my experience.

Oliver Young, Senior Reviewer

Tips & Advice

Need ultimate practicality?

We’ve run the rule over the most spacious models on sale to deliver the definitive rundown of the cars with the biggest boots

Will the car fit your needs?

As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy

Buying & owning

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

Audi A3 driver display

Strengths

Weaknesses

Equipment, options and extras

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The entry-level A3 trim – called Sport – is very well-equipped, with cruise control, three-zone air-con, heated front seats, power-folding door mirrors, 17in alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. It's our recommended trim.

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For a sportier look and driving experience, S line trim is worth considering. It includes 18in alloys, sports suspension, S line front and rear bumpers, rear privacy glass and customisable ambient lighting.

Ways to buy

Cash from £26,990 Own the car outright. No monthly payments.

Lease from £312pm Drive a new car every few years. Lower upfront costs.

£3,748 initial payment , 60 month contract , 5000 miles p/a . Subject to status and conditions.

Available Now from £26,990 Choose a car from stock. Drive away today!

Black Edition trim is steeply priced considering its offerings. It primarily adds a black exterior styling package, 19in wheels and door-mounted LEDs that project the Audi logo on to the ground as you exit the vehicle.

A £1450 Technology Pack adds a Sonos sound system and a head-up display.

Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2

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As part of the A3 Sportback’s mid-life facelift, Audi increased the levels of standard equipment, yet it still works out slightly cheaper than equivalent versions of the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class.

Meanwhile, the A3's engines deliver fuel economy and CO2 emissions in line with its family car rivals. Our favourite engine, the 150 TFSI, officially averages more than 50mpg when paired with our recommended Sport trim.

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If you're looking for a company car you'll find that the A3 204 e-Hybrid PHEV is the cheapest version to run because its official electric-only range puts it in one of the lowest benefit in kind (BIK) tax brackets. Note, though, that an electric car will cost even less to run in BIK tax.

Reliability

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Audi gives you a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and three years’ roadside assistance, which is the industry norm. You can pay a little extra to extend cover for up to five years or 90,000 miles. The PHEV A3’s battery has its own eight-year, 100,000-mile cover.

The A3 finished in a respectable 9th place out of 30 cars in the family car section of the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey – beating the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class. 

However, as a car brand, Audi placed 22nd out of 30 manufacturers we ranked for reliability in the same survey – joint place with Mercedes but below BMW and Skoda.

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Safety and security

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Every A3 has automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning and traffic-sign recognition as standard.

In common with most family cars, the model received a five-star rating after safety testing by Euro NCAP. The 1 Series and A-Class were given five stars too, but were tested under earlier, less stringent criteria, so it's difficult to compare their results directly.


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I think £40,000 is a bit much for a family hatchback, even a premium-badged one. Pair the Black Edition trim with the Technology Pro Pack, though, and that’s basically what you’re looking at.

Oliver Young, Senior Reviewer

Audi A3 owner reviews

Sort by: Most Recent Star rating

Stephen

Audi A3 1.5 petrol

Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing

Jun 23, 2026 7:20 PM

Lovely car smart looking quality interior comfy only downside on reflection is boot size but was my error

Phil

Audi A3 hybrid

Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing

Dislikes: Running costs

Feb 26, 2026 8:11 AM

Quality, comfortable car with a high spec. It has very low running costs due to our use being mostly local. Hybrid works very well for us but isn't as efficient as our previous petrol model when battery runs out. Our overall consumption is 120+

Tony

Audi A3 PHEV

Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs

Feb 25, 2026 6:56 PM

It isn't due for service yet, so I can't really comment on servicing of the car. The information provided on the Audi website prior to purchasing the car was very accurate. During the summer months, I was getting anything between 85-92 miles from a full charge, about 4.5 miles per kwh. During the colder months, the average has been between 60-72 miles on a full charge, or 3.5 miles per kwh. Over the 4,000 miles covered so far, I have spent £92 on petrol and £86 on charging the car. I only charge at home and haven't used any public charging points.

Anthony

Audi A3 PHEV

Likes: Value, Reliability, Running costs

Dec 2, 2025 7:14 PM

I'm really happy with the car, which I bought when Audi were running some promotions and the car suited our needs. The car is relatively comfortable and the layout of the controls are well thought out. The build quality is just as expected from a German car. I filled the car up with petrol when I bought it, and still have 5/8 of a tank left. I charge the car at home at a cost of 7.9per kwh on an electric car tariff. Over the course of 2,500 miles, the cost of electricity totals £49.75 (according to the home app).

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Protect your investment

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Reduce your car finance bills

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What is hire purchase?

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If you're interested in finding a Audi A3, or any of the other hatchback cars mentioned here, head over to our Cars available now pages to find new cars listed for sale at great prices.

Audi A3 specifications

Best buy

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback 5dr Petrol S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) review

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback 5dr Petrol S Tronic Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) review

RRP £32,860

RRP price range

£30,300 - £41,625

MPG range across all versions

47.1 - 941.6

Available fuel types (which is best for you? )

Petrol, Diesel, Petrol Plug-in Hybrid

Available colours

Number of engines (see all)

2

Number of trims (see all)

3

Warranty

3 years / 60,000 miles

Company car tax at 20% (min/max)

£548 - £2,523

Company car tax at 40% (min/max)

£1,097 - £5,046

FAQs

Is there an Audi A3 Convertible?

No – you can no longer buy a convertible Audi A3 new. To read about the droptop version of the previous-generation car see our 2014-2020 A3 Convertible review.

Does the Audi A3 hold its value?

The Audi A3 holds its value better than the VW Golf and other mainstream family cars but not as well as a BMW 1 Series.

Why has the Audi A3 been discontinued?

It hasn't – you can still buy the Audi A3 Saloon and this A3 Sportback new in the UK and elsewhere. For the latest prices, see our New Car Deals pages.

New car deals

Best price from £26,990

A circular icon with a £ sign at the centre.

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £26,990

RRP from: £30,300

Available now

From £26,990

Leasing deals

From £312

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Audi A3

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £312.36 Initial payment £3,748.32

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

£3,993 total upfront (£3,748 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

Audi A3s available to buy

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £30,895

£25,698

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Technik Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Technik Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £27,150

£25,775

Audi A3 Sportback 1.5 TFSI Technik Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3 Sportback

1.5 TFSI Technik Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £29,349

£26,274

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £30,300

£26,399

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £30,450

£26,599

Audi A3 Sportback 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3 Sportback

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £31,950

£26,990

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £32,145

£26,990

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £30,895

£26,999

Audi A3 1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Audi A3

1.5 TFSI Sport Sportback Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

RRP £30,895

£26,999

See all available cars

About the writer

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Name: Lawrence Cheung

Title: New cars editor

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Lawrence Cheung has worked at What Car? as New Cars Editor since 2021. He oversees the first drives section of the site and magazine, commissioning and writing about the latest cars to hit the market. He also contributes to sister magazine Autocar.

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