The Audi A3 is an entry-level line up in the luxury world. Having ventured from hatchback-exclusive body into the 4-door sedan and 2-door cabriolet body styles, the newly redesigned Audi promises to meet the standards it set when it released, introducing minor shuffling in features yet staying prevalent in its pursuit for the best-of-the-rest sedan amongst the field.
Standard full LED headlights for Premium Plus and Prestige trims
Audi phone box with wireless charging and signal booster
High-gloss aluminum window surrounds
Convenience package now includes Audi side assist and the LED interior lighting package
Features
vehicle bio
base price
$33300
bodystyle
4dr Sedan
passenger capacity
5
drivetrain
front wheel drive
engine type
displacement
121
horsepower
184 hp @ 4400 rpm
torque
221 lbs.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
transmission
7-speed auto-shift manual w/OD and auto-manual
chassis
suspension front
Independent front strut suspension
suspension rear
Independent rear multi-link suspension
dimensions
wheelbase
103.8 in.
length
175.5 in.
width
70.7 in.
height
55.7 in.
curb weight
3197 lbs.
capacity
cargo volume
10 cu ft.
payload
1102
fuel economy
city/combined/highway
27/30/36 mpg
highway range
475.2 mi.
warranty
basic warranty
4 yr. /50000 mi.
drivetrain warranty
4 yr./ 50000 mi.
corrosion warranty
12 yr. /unlimited
roadside assistance
Yes
Pictures
exterior
interior
Trims
Premium $33,300 onwards
184 hp @ 4400 rpm | 2 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
Premium Plus $36,300 onwards
184 hp @ 4400 rpm | 2 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
S Line Premium $36,500 onwards
228 hp @ 4500 rpm | 2 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
S Line Premium Plus $39,500 onwards
228 hp @ 4500 rpm | 2 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
Colors and Styles
Brilliant Black
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Ratings
Features
7.0
Engine And Performance
7.0
Fuel Economy
5.0
Interior
9.0
Safety
8.0
7.6
OVERALL RATING
Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide
7.6
Overall Rating
The 2020 Audi A3 comes powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine coupled to a 7-speed automatic transmission. All the trims are available in both FWD and AWD. When equipped with AWD, the engine’s power output is cranked up to 228 hp as opposed to 184 hp. The Audi A3 competes with its German arch-nemesis, the BMW 230i, and Stuttgart’s Silver Arrow, the Mercedes Benz CLA 250. Let's move ahead and find out which of these Germans emerge to be on the top.
7.0/10 Features
7.0/10 Engine and Performance
5.0/10 Fuel Economy
9.0/10 Interior
8.0/10 Safety
2020 Audi A3 Features
7.0/10
The Audi A3 is available in three well-appointed trim levels. From the entry-level Premium variant to the top-spec Prestige variant, Audi has something for every buyer. The base trim comes with a host of excellent luxury features including standard leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and safety features like rearview camera, front collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
Trims
Premium
Premium Plus
Prestige
MSRP (FWD)
$32,500
$36,500
$41,700
MSRP (AWD)
$35,600
$39,600
$44,800
Features
Adds or replaces features from Premium:
Adds or replaces features from Prestige:
Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights
S line exterior appearance and fender badges
Audi virtual cockpit
Audi smartphone interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Audi advanced key — keyless start, stop and entry
MMI Navigation plus with voice control system
Leather seating surfaces
Audi side assist with Rear cross traffic assist
Audi adaptive cruise control with stop & go
Heated front seats
Parking system plus (front and rear acoustic sensors)
Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 14 speakers and 705 watts
6-way power front seats with 4-way lumbar support
Full LED headlights and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
Heated, auto-dimming, power folding exterior side mirrors
Audi pre sense front
Audi phone box (wireless charging and signal booster)
Rearview camera
We Recommend
The base Premium trim coupled with Audi's Quattro AWD for an extra $3,100 on top of the MSRP strikes the perfect note. The Quattro will provide you with more power and the added advantage of all-weather driving as well. Hence, the base trim is the perfect bang-for-buck.
2020 Audi A3 Engine and Performance
7.0/10
“The 2.0-litre engine arrived with the 2016 facelift and boasts an excellent spread of refined torque. It’s only noisy right at the top end in that realm around 5000rpm where normal drivers never stray, or if you stand outside the car. For almost all occupants almost all of the time, it is more than sufficiently refined.”-Autocar
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 mill under the hood, the 2020 Audi A3 pumps out 186 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of power and torque respectively. Propelling away to highway speeds in this sedan would not be an issue at all.
All that power is translated to the wheels via a 7-speed DSG gearbox. You can get it to drive either the front wheels or throw in some more money to drive all four wheels, courtesy of the Quattro AWD. However, the addition of Quattro will bump the figures to 228 HP. That said, dial automatic to the manual mode and you’d notice some delays when shifting aggressively, but that won't really bother you much.
Models
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
MSRP
$32,500
$33,100
$40,195
$38,195
$40,660
$35,300
$46,235
Engine
Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L
2.0L I-4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders
2.0L I-4 Turbocharged
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4
2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 cylinder engine
Transmission
7-speed automatic
7-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-Speed Automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed Automatic
Horsepower
184 hp @ 4300 rpm
208 hp @ 5500 rpm
250 hp @ 5600 rpm
280 hp @ 5200 rpm
241 hp @ 5,800 rpm
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
247 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
221 ft-bls @ 1600 rpm
258 ft-lbs. @ 1250 rpm
258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm
306 lb.-ft. @ 2000-4800 rpm
258 lb-ft @ 1,650 rpm
258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm
269 ft-lbs. @ 1300 rpm
Amongst the competition, the Audi A3 is quite underpowered. The Alfa Romeo Giulia churns out the most output amongst the field while the likes of Volvo S60, BMW 2 series and the Jaguar XE hang around alongside each other.
Acceleration
The 4-cylinders spurting 221 pulling forces in the Audi A3 zips the 0-60 mph mark in 6.1s while completing the quarter-mile in 14.8s. These timings bring it a tad closer to the otherwise distanced leaders of the likes of powerful Volvo S60, BMW, and the Giulia. Its German rival sticks behind the by a negligible 0.2s. The slowest amongst the pack is the Lexus IS 300 while the Jaguar keeps company with the Silver Arrow.
Models
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
0-60 MPH
6.1 sec
6.3 sec
5.0 sec
5.5 sec
6.9 sec
5.3
6.3 sec
Quarter mile
14.8 sec
14.9 sec
14 .3 sec
14.1 sec @ 100 mph
15 sec*
12.7
15.0 sec
Engine
Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L
2.0L I-4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
2.0 liters
2.0 Liters
2.0L
2.0L i4
2.0L
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
N/A
N/A
TBD
NA
NA
N/A
6.3*
Ride and Handling
The 2020 Audi A3 shares its underpinnings with the VW group’s MQB platform. A laudable handling machine, the sedan comprises a comfortable ride quality and spirited driving dynamics. Its steering is direct, and a stiff suspension that works stably along corners, tight or otherwise. An easy car to drive, the A3, however, lacks steering feedback and to really churn out the feeling of fun from the sedan.
While that was the story from a driver's perspective, the occupants of the car might feel slightly unsettled on the undulations of the road, courtesy of the stiff suspension setup. All the external noises are pretty much subdued. The motor does get vocal under spirited driving but it won't hinder your conversations. Also, the presence of sunroof does eat up the headroom a bit, but it also adds to the airy feel of the cabin.
Braking
The A3 sedan offers 12.3-inch brake rotors at the front and 10.7-inch brake rotors at the rear. though we do not have the numbers for the 2020 model, we have high hopes from the baby Audi in this department. With a curb weight of over 3000 lbs. and all 4-disc brake setup, the A3 is expected to offer good stopping power.
In terms of the feel, the brakes offer a good bite and also inspire a lot of confidence. It might feel jerky to some, but you will get used to it once you get the hang of it. There is barely any front-end dive even under hard braking applications, especially when tackling corners, which is pretty impressive for a car from this segment.
Model
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
Brake Front (in.)
12.3
12.6
13.2
13
13.1
12.3
12.8
Brake Rear (in.)
10.7
11.6
12. 9
12.5
12.2
11.4
12.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3197
3274
3703
3521
3583
3411
3500 lbs
60-0 MPH (ft.)
N/A
121
127
124
N/A
113
184 ft*
*70-0 figures used for reference purpose only
When pitted against the competition, the 2020 Audi remains out of this comparison since we do not have the data backing it up. That said, it's the BMW 230i that takes the spotlight. It sits ahead of the competition by a wide margin.
2020 Audi A3 Fuel Economy
5.0/10
With a frugal powertrain underneath the hood, the Audi A3 can cover serious distances. Add turbocharging and direct injection to this mix and the engine delivers even better fuel efficiency. It delivers a combined mpg of 28. VW group’s TFSI technology increases the power output of the engine and makes sure to maintain the efficiency of the same. The rest of the field perform similarly in the
Model
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
MPG (city)
26
24
26
24
22
24
24
MPG (highway)
35
37
32
33
32
35
34
MPG (combined)
29
29
29
27
26
28
28
2020 Audi A3 Interior
9.0/10
“Innovative technology is featured inside the high-quality cabin, including a trick digital gauge cluster and a motorized pop-up infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE–powered Wi-Fi hotspot are also available.” - CarandDriver
Inside the A3’s cabin, you are greeted by a host of premium fittings that seem unreal for this segment. Solidly built and put together, it would be an arduous task to point out panel gaps or inconsistent material. Touch the dashboard or poke the glove box, its interior would always put a smile on your face with its posh and soft-touch materials.
The Audi A3's interiors have the least resemblance to its siblings and stand out from the crowd. Audi commemorates its entry-level sedan by giving it an "outdated" look to the inside. Why outdated? Well, the theme inside the cabin would surely remind you of the older-gen Audi(s). However, do not take it to be any less than its siblings. It is minimalistic in nature but there is more to it than what meets the eye.
In the front row, the A3 houses comfortable spacing and with a good driving position alongside wide-adjustability traits on offer. It will not be difficult to find your suited driving position. However, unlike the front, the rear seating takes a hit with the comfort factor as it feels cramped and small. The switchgear has been laid out under the aegis of clinical German precision. Everything falls to your hand naturally and you would be amazed how less time you need to get accustomed to the interiors.
Models
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
FRONT (cu.ft)
Headroom
36.5
38.2
38.6
37.1
40.2
40.1
N/A
Shoulder room
54.8
56
57.0
55.3
56.7
54.4
N/A
Legroom
41.2
40.2
41.9
NA
44.5
41.5
N/A
REAR (cu.ft)
Headroom
36.1
35.4
37.4
37.1
37.5
36.5
N/A
Shoulder room
53
53.2
55.2
55
56.1
53.4
N/A
Legroom
35.1
27.1
36.9
36.1
35.1
33
N/A
The Lexus IS 300 takes the lead here with the most spacious cabin of the lot. It is then followed by the Bimmer by a very close margin. The Audi A3 barely manages to surpass Mercedes with respect to the overall passenger volume.
Cargo Capacity
For a sedan, the A3 is not very promising in terms of volume in the trunk. It can haul luggage up to 12.3 cu.ft only. Though the volume is just fine for weekend getaways, the competition offers much more in this aspect. However, if your Audi is equipped with the Quattro AWD system, then the trunk shrinks to a volume of 10.1 cu.ft. As depressing as it might be, the fact that you can fold the rear seats down certainly cushions the blow.
But for the volume, the high-lift lid and wide opening of the trunk combine to create a comfortable loading/unloading experience. The bottom lip of the trunk is quite low too which further encourages it. Also, the creamier trims of the A3 lineup feature powered tailgates that can shut down automatically at the push of a button.
Model
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
12.3
13.1
11.6
13.0
13.2
13.8
16.1
With a paltry 12.3 cubic feet, one can say the Audi A3 is a mixed bag of ups and downs. The most commodious Jaguar XE brings home 16 cubic feet followed by the rest of the field with the likes of BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes.
Infotainment System
The A3 keeps up with the latest trends of the world by offering a motorized pop-up 7.0-inch infotainment display that is further mated to a 9-speaker Audio system. This unit is offered as standard across all trims, however, the feature-list varies slightly as you move up the trim-ladder. Unlike its elder siblings, the A3 uses a touch-knob on the center console (just behind the gear shifter) which is the sole medium of interaction with the infotainment. It also features handwriting recognition and various other gestures. There is also a more premium 14-speaker, 440-watt, Bang & Olufsen unit that further decorates the ambiance of the cabin, for extra money though.
The top-trims are set apart from the crowd with the help of Audi's famous Virtual Cockpit Unit that replaces the analog meter console. This unit sums up all the features of a car and brings them all at your disposal. It is also available as an option for the lower trims too, in case you want to add more oomph to your A3.
Some of the outstanding features of the infotainment system in the Audi A3 are:
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
Sirius XM Satellite Radio with 90-day subscription
SD Card slot with 32-GB operating capacity
Bluetooth Audio streaming
Parking system plus with rearview camera
9-speaker audio system with single CD player
Interior Features
Minimalistic yet loaded, the A3 doesn't feel like an entry-level vehicle as it is stuffed with some best-in-class features that are absent on most of its rivals. Some of these features are:
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Ambient LED interior lighting
Leather-wrapped gear selector and steering wheel
Dual adjustable front visors with lighted vanity mirrors
Leather seating surfaces
Tilt and telescopic manually adjustable steering column
Four cup-holders
2020 Audi A3 Exterior
“The 2020 Audi A3 is hard to tell apart from the rest of the Audi lineup, but that’s a good thing for first-time luxury buyers.”-thecarconnection
One glance at the A3 and it wouldn’t be much difficult to dismiss the styling aesthetic of this sedan. Its design heavily draws cues from the Audi A6, thus, escalating the premium touch to it. The A3 was never a utility-driven design, but even with the sloping roofline, the storage doesn’t really get affected as much. Dimensionally, the A3 sedan finds the middle ground between the larger sedans and coupes like the Jaguar XE and the Mercedes CLA 250.
The front of the car is dominated by Audi's signature grill that extends all the way to the end of the front bumper. It is then surrounded by the Audi-specific LED headlamps that, combined with the grill, ensure you don't get mistaken for any other car. The side of the car follows a typical "Sedan" silhouette accentuated by chrome inserts around the windows. The rear of the A3 concludes the design with the LED taillamps which taper towards the bold crease on top of the registration-plate area. All in all, its a baby Audi and it certainly looks like one.
Model
Audi A3
Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Volvo S60 Inscription
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Lexus IS 300
BMW 230i
Jaguar XE
Curb weight (lbs.)
3197
3274
3703
3521
3,583
3411
3500
Length(in)
175.5
182.3
185.6
182.6
184.3
174.7
183.9
Width(in)
70.7
70
77.0
73.7
71.3
69.8
77.4
Height(in)
55.7
56.6
58.3
56.5
56.3*
55.8
55.8
Ground clearance (in)
N/A
N/A
5.9
N/A
5.3
5.5
N/A
Wheelbase (in)
103.8
106.3
112.4
111
110.2
109.9
111.6
Track width (in) F/R
61.2/60.1
60.9/60.8
61.2/62.1
61.3/63.9
60.8/61.6
59.9/61.3
N/A
The A3 is the lightest and the smallest vehicle in this comparison here. While it enables the A3 to be navigated around the city comfortably, this factor certainly takes away the airy feel of the cabin. Talking about the airy feel, it's the Volvo S60 that takes the crown for itself in this regard. It is narrowly closed in by the Alfa Romeo Guilia which almost is as big and airy inside as the former.
2020 Audi A3 Safety
8.0/10
Based on VW's trusted MQB platform, there is no questioning the A3's structural rigidity. It is the same platform that also discharges duties in the massive Volkswagen Atlas, which has already garnered impressive ratings in the crash tests conducted by NHTSA. Keeping Audi's reputation intact, the A3 has won "5 stars" in the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA, which is the maximum possible rating.
In terms of technology, the A3 boasts. Some of these include the following:
Active rollover protection system
Electromechanical parking brake
Safety belt reminder for driver and passenger
Tire-pressure monitoring system
Electronic Stability Control with secondary collision brake assist and traction control
Anti-theft alarm
Rearview Camera
2020 Audi A3 Competition
Audi A3 vs BMW 230i
The Bavarian actually is a better driver’s car, hands down. Even with an identical displacement (2.0-liter), the BMW 230i is tuned for more power. When we talk of the 0-60 time, the 2 series is faster than the Audi A3 by a margin of more than one second, thanks to its excellent driving dynamics. It also offers a more practical boot and more usable space in the cabin. But all these niceties come at a premium $3000 on top of the A3's.
The 230i presents itself as a strong choice for an entry-level sports car. It brings together a lot of elements from its brethren and its impeccable dynamic handling abilities are unmatched. Furthermore, you get all of that without the expense of comfort thus finding the exact balance between practicality and performance.
Audi A3 vs Mercedes Benz CLA 250
Compared to the Mercedes CLA 250, the Audi A3 is a complete package with an overall better driving dynamics alongside luxury and opulence. Facing a common problem of cramped rear, and storage capacity, the 4-ring still bears a little more comfortable set of rear seats. The sloping roofline of the CLA 250, as pleasing as it looks, takes the comfort factor of the cabin away. The Audi offers more space and let's not forget, it is the more economical one as well. With comfort and a host of niceties, the Audi A3 is a bang for the buck.
2020 Audi A3 Final Verdict
Priced at $32,500, the Audi A3 is your ticket to luxury. Though an entry-level car, the Audi A3 lives up to all the expectations. The interior is savvy and in a league of its own. You get Quattro that propels the car with the help of 228 horses under the hood. The crisp throttle response and low-end torque enables the A3 to be fit for a driver-friendly car. That said, it does come with a few compromises though. There is less space at the rear and the cargo area isn't very welcoming either.
If you prefer practicality over mild-performance and technology, we think you need to check out the Volvo S60 in that aspect. However, if you need both of them balanced at good proportions, then go no further than the Audi A3.
The A3 clears the 60 MPH in 6.1 seconds and further clears the quarter-mile mark in 14.8 seconds.
Is the Audi A3 also offered as a hatchback?
Unlike many other manufacturers, Audi offers the A3 is as a sedan only. The hatchback variant is exclusive to the European continent.
Is the 2020 Audi A3 reliable?
In terms of safety, the A3 is loaded with a ton of features and its chassis received a "5-star" rating from the NHTSA. Furthermore, the 2.0L unit under its hood is a tried and tested one which can munch thousands of miles without a freckle, provided you get its maintenance done regularly.
Does the Audi A3 come with a warranty?
The Audi A3 is backed by a 4 year/50,000-mile warranty. For more information on this front, please refer to the features tab on the top of this page.