In designing the A3, the Audi team took inspiration from the fabled Lamborghini Countach, whose devastatingly angular frame lives on in the memory despite the fact it went out of production in 1990. The team opted for evolution over revolution, which is no bad thing. After all, the previous-generation Audi A3 was one of the last decade’s standout family cars, so it’s a smart move on Audi’s part to go with something totally different.
That being said, Audi hasn’t entirely dispensed with that winning formula. The A3 looks intentionally familiar, because its design is based on that of its predecessor—a trait it shares with the latest VW Golf and SEAT Leon. The A3 offers a choice of petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, as well as various options for trim and suspension setups. But before we get into the details, let’s check out its key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £25,000–£48,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £8,000–£12,000 / £160–£237 a month |
| Trims | 8 |
| Engines | 6 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, diesel, hybrid |
| mpg range across all versions | 61–217 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years/60,000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £500/£3,000 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £1,000/£7,000 |
Equipment, options and extras
The A3’s entry-level Technik trim represents the best value overall, giving you air conditioning, cruise control, 16in alloy wheels, power-folding door mirrors, auto lights and wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, not to mention an infotainment package and safety aids. If you go up to Sport, you’ll experience dual-zone climate control, 17in wheels and a part-leather–part–faux leather interior. S line brings privacy glass, 18in alloys, dynamic indicators, sportier styling touches and front sports seats.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The Audi A3 Sportback does come with a slight price premium over equivalent versions of the BMW 1 Series, but then again it’s less expensive than the Mercedes A-Class. It should hold on to a far higher percentage of its list price after three years, so its PCP finance details tend to be more competitive.
The A3’s engines deliver fuel economy and CO2 emissions in line with those of its rivals. The 35 TFSI petrol (with manual gearbox) averages a respectable 42.5 mpg—a lot better than the BMW 118i. Unsurprisingly, the diesels are significantly more efficient, not to mention RDE2-compliant, so company car users won’t have to pay the 4% benefit-in-kind tax diesel surcharge.
These company car users will find the 40 TFSIe hybrid even more tempting. Its 40-mile electric range and tiny CO2 output place it in one of the lowest tax brackets. However, do just keep in mind that opting for an S line trim with the larger 18in wheels moves the car into a higher bracket than the Technik or Sport. You might want to consider downgrading to an S line with 17in rims, which is a no-cost option and saves a healthy chunk of change.
Safety and security
Every model of the A3 has automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning as standard. Blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert are optional.
The A3 received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, although it’s only fair to mention that the SEAT Leon proved even more effective at preventing injury to adults up front and children in the rear. Both cars were tested under stricter guidelines than were the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series, so comparing the results from older tests to more recent and more stringent tests is hard.
Reliability
The A3 comes with a 3-year or 60,000-mile warranty as well as 3 years’ roadside assistance, which is pretty much on par with the industry norm. And if you’re happy to pay a little extra, you can extend your A3’s cover for up to 5 years or 90,000 miles.
The Car Planet verdict
The Audi A3 isn’t as well finished inside or as polished overall as its predecessor, but it still rates well against its premium competitors, including the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series. It’s comfortable, capacious for the family, and makes for an enjoyable drive, with a range of punchy diesel, petrol and hybrid engines. We recommend the 40 TFSIe for its performance, electric range and low company car tax. The Audi A3 is one of the finest plug-ins out there, as well as an excellent car in its own right.
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