Audi A3

Name: 2020 Audi A3
Brand: Audi

EPA MPG: 30 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 30 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

CR's Take

Audi's A3 is a compelling entry-level luxury car, but it lacks certain expected features for its price, and the interior, though well-made, feels austere. It's solid and quiet, and the A3's crisp handling and firm, controlled ride make the small sedan enjoyable to drive. The cabin is quiet, and the front seats are comfortable and supportive. The rear seat is tight. It takes a bit of time to get used to the infotainment system, but it ultimately proves to be logical. It's easy to hit $40,000 with just a few options. FCW and AEB are standard on all trims except for the sporty RS 3. A redesigned A3 will arrive in North America for the 2022 model year.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2020 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Audi A3

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

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2020 Luxury small cars Ratings

2020 Audi A3

$15,400 - $17,875

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

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$17,150 - $19,250

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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$17,475 - $22,325

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

$12,875 - $35,000

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$15,725 - $24,075

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2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

$ NA

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$18,125 - $33,575

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2020 Buick Regal

$10,975 - $18,925

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$15,875 - $27,750

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$16,400 - $29,800

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2020 Genesis G70

$16,450 - $23,375

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2020 Infiniti Q50

$12,275 - $21,425

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$14,375 - $17,525

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$27,500 - $28,525

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2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

$15,325 - $21,100

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$17,550 - $40,675

EPA MPG 27 mpg

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2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA

$17,525 - $24,775

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2020 Mini Cooper Clubman

$14,325 - $19,425

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$16,225 - $23,950

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 turbo (288 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (184 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (228 hp)
2.5-liter 5 turbo (394 hp)

7-speed sequential
6-speed sequential

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2022-Present

Current Generation

Audi improves upon its capable entry-level sedan with an all-new 2022 model featuring sleek exterior styling; a more refined, driver-focused interior; and technology upgrades that are already standard on larger and more expensive Audis. Among them are an optional configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster and active driver assistance features. The car has larger interior and exterior dimensions than the previous iteration. The S3 augments its more staid A3 sibling with a lower stance, a more powerful engine, bigger, vented front brakes and vented rear brakes, and Audi's adaptive sport suspension system. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard. Front-wheel drive was available through 2024. The A3 is only available in the U.S. as a four-door sedan. The high-performance RS 3 version gets a turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Both the A3 and S3 come standard with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and Pre-sense, a system that does things like pretension occupants’ seat belts, close the side windows and sunroof, and activate the hazard flashers if the driver brakes hard or the electronic stability control is activated, indicating an impending crash. Adaptive cruise control, parking assist, blind spot warning, rear Pre-sense, and rear cross traffic warning are optional until 2024. For 2025, blind spot warning, blind spot assistance, rear cross traffic warning and reverse automatic emergency braking are standard.

2015-2021

2015 Redesign Year

This wholly redesigned Audi A3 is part of a wave of compact luxury-branded models for buyers who have one eye on their budget and the other on gas prices. While it's tempting to get the basic Premium model, with the 1.8-liter engine for its relatively low price, you might be happier with the Premium Plus trim, which includes more of the features you expect in a luxury car and lets you get the Driver Assistance package, which includes blind-spot monitoring. For 2016, Audi added a standard backup camera, heated mirrors, and a USB port—replacing the optional media interface and its unique Audi proprietary cable. Also, a front-wheel drive hatchback with a plug-in hybrid powertrain joined the line.

2006-2014

2006 Redesign Year

The A3 is an upscale little hatchback with a tasteful interior and, in most versions, a gutsy turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. Closely related to the VW Golf and Jetta, the A3 hatchback resembles a small wagon. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available as an option. We found the A3 quite nimble and quick in our tests, but the steering feels a little too light at low speeds. The automated manual S-tronic transmission works very well. A more powerful 3.2-liter V6 was optional on front-drive and standard with AWD models until 2009. Starting with 2010, the V6 went away and a 140-hp four-cylinder diesel joined the lineup. The 2013 models were the last year for this version of the little hatchback, as a new sedan replaced it for the 2015 model year.