The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Turbo-4 thrust
- Turbo-5 personality
- Pert handling
- Good ride
- Decent value
Dislikes
- Staid styling
- Small rear seat
- Bite-size trunk
- Limited lineup
Buying tip
features & specs
Composed, confident, and charming, the 2024 Audi A3 is a strong choice among small luxury sedans.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Audi A3? What does it compare to?
The 2024 A3 is Audi’s smallest sedan, a compact four-door that compares to the BMW 2-Series, Acura Integra, and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Is the 2024 Audi A3 a good car/SUV?
It may lack the evocative styling of some competitors, but the 2024 Audi A3 counters with timeless looks, polish, and performance. It’s especially fun as an RS 3. We rate the lineup at 6.8 out of 10.(Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Audi A3?
Not much. The available Black Optic package sees a wheel redesign, while the garage door opener is now integrated into the rearview mirror. Big stuff!
The A3 is a classically proportioned compact sedan with conservative details inside and out. It won’t make a big statement.
It’s offered with a choice of three turbocharged engines, starting with a 201-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 mild-hybrid with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The S3 with its 306-hp version of the turbo-4 and the RS 3 with its zippy 2.5-liter 5-cylinder rated at 401 hp up the performance ante considerably. Naturally, they power all four wheels. All models have automatic transmissions, too. These cars have a comfortable ride in all configurations, plus fast-witted steering and nimble responses.
Fuel economy checks in as high as 32 mpg combined, which tops many competitors. Even the fiery RS 3’s 23 mpg combined isn’t bad given its performance envelope.
The A3 is a comfy enough sedan, so long as you’re up front. Rear-seat riders will find scant head and leg room, and their luggage may be left at the station. The A3 has a mere 10.9 cubic-foot trunk. (S3 and RS 3 variants have even less space.) All have a high-end feel throughout, with nice materials and bright 10.1-inch touchscreens.
The A3 has limited crash-test data. All but the base version have adaptive cruise control and active lane control, though automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warnings are standard across the range.
How much does the 2024 Audi A3 cost?
The base A3 runs $36,895. Adding all-wheel drive adds $2,000. Though pricey, the A3 has a decent standard feature set including wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a big sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and leather trim. The mid-level Premium Plus trim strikes us as a worthwhile $3,600 option thanks to its proximity key, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging pad, and memory driver’s seat. All in, an RS 3 can top $60,000 with ease.
Where is the 2024 Audi A3 made?
In Germany.
2024 Audi A3 Styling
Pleasant but far from over-the-top, the 2024 Audi A3 makes a limited impression.
Is the Audi A3 a good-looking car?
It’s no standout, but the 2024 A3 has a clean, classy look in base and S3 forms. Step up to the RS 3 and it gets downright racy.
Up front, the trapezoidal grille is flanked by trim that extends well into the bumpers for a look somewhat out of the Audi norm. Complex headlights and crisp details rein things in. RS 3 models have huge openings in the front bumper plus a rear spoiler and big chrome-tipped exhaust pipes that impart something of a tuner look. Painted bright green, the RS 3 is anything but subtle.
Conservative inside, the A3 has a driver-oriented 10.1-inch touchscreen and an available 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard leather gives it an upscale feel against competitors with synthetic trim. Metallic hints brighten up an otherwise somber experience. Audi doesn’t offer the wide range of upholstery hues here that it does in many of its other models.
2024 Audi A3 Performance
Nimble and quick even in its cheapest form, the 2024 Audi A3 is a pleasant drive.
The 2024 A3 is a joy to pilot thanks to strong turbo power and quick reflexes. Step up to the S3 or RS 3 and you’ll find robust acceleration and even sharper responses that would earn a point over the 7 we assign to the lineup as a whole.
Is the Audi A3 4WD?
Base models are front-wheel drive, though about $2,000 buys all-wheel drive. The S3 and RS 3 have standard all-wheel drive as well as an electronic limited-slip rear differential that shuffles power between the rear wheels.
How fast is the Audi A3?
It’s no slouch. The base 2.0-liter turbo-4 puts out a solid 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, good for a run to 60 mph in the mid-six-second range. Audi says that AWD models are slightly quicker, even if they’re a bit heavier.
The 7-speed automatic transmission can be slow to downshift, but it’s well-behaved in most circumstances. Base cars have a bit more off-the-line turbo lag than we like, though they build power quickly once they’re in boost.
The S3 sees an upgrade to 306 hp, and its engine is tuned to produce some lovely crackles and snaps that give it an almost videogame-grade experience.
Standard cars have a compliant, comfortable ride and quick, if light, steering. S3s can ride on adaptive dampers that help take the edge off of otherwise stiffer suspension tuning and shorter tire sidewalls.
Audi RS 3 performance
The top RS 3 makes use of a unique 2.5-liter turbo-5 that makes all the warbly right noises as it spews 401 hp to all four corners. With standard launch control, it rockets to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Its 7-speed dual-clutch automatic rips through gears with authority, but it can’t hide pronounced turbo lag. Tap the RS button on the steering wheel to engage Performance drive mode and the RS 3 lunges forward with more confidence.
The RS 3 exhibits hints of oversteer when pushed hard, but driven within its admittedly very high limits it is a thoroughly entertaining compact sports sedan.
2024 Audi A3 Comfort & Quality
It may be the cheapest Audi in the lineup, but the A3 has a quality feel inside.
Audi doesn’t skimp on high-end finishes in its entry-level model. This compact sedan comes with leather seats that are comfy enough up front. It earns another point above average thanks to a quality feel in line with pricing. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale.
The A3’s dash and door surfaces have nice materials with a low-sheen feel. Rear-seat riders will find a step down in door panel material, though 35.2 inches of legroom is acceptable for a sedan of this size. The small trunk handles just under 11 cubic feet of suitcases in A3s. S3 and RS 3 models have a mere 8.3 cubes. At least the rear seatbacks fold in an especially convenient 40/20/40 arrangement.
2024 Audi A3 Safety
Audi’s smallest sedan has basic crash-avoidance tech.
How safe is the Audi A3?
As it has yet to be tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, we can’t rate the 2024 A3 for its safety.
Audi is a bit stingy with crash-avoidance and driver-assistance features, though basic autoamtic emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, LED headlights, and automatic high-beam headlights are standard. The Premium Plus trim level includes active lane control, blind-spot monitors, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
2024 Audi A3 Features
The 2024 Audi A3 feels worth its cost.
While $36,895 is hardly cheap, the base Audi A3 justifies its price tag with leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, and a big sunroof. It’s a 9 on our scale thanks to its standard feature set, big screen, overall value, and wide range of optional extras.
The 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is par for the course, though.
Which Audi A3 should I buy?
To the base A3, we’d add all-wheel drive and likely the Premium Plus trim level with its adaptive cruise control, proximity key, and surround-view camera system. It also includes blind-spot monitors and active lane control, bringing it to $42,495—or just over $43,000 with metallic paint. The $2,000 upcharge for a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, navigation, and Bang & Olufsen audio is of less value.
You’ll need at least $48,495 for an S3 in base Premium trim; another $2,900 buys the Premium Plus with adaptive cruise control. That’s about as far as we’d take things unless you want the RS 3.
How much is a fully loaded Audi A3?
At $63,395, the RS 3 is costly but also something of a performance bargain. You’ll get most of the optional features on an A3 or S3, plus nappa leather trim, adaptive dampers, and uprated headlights. Audi only tempts with a few grand in options, most of which can be skipped.
2024 Audi A3 Fuel Economy
Audi’s smallest cars can deliver terrific fuel economy.
Is the Audi A3 good on gas?
It’s a pretty thrifty choice so long as you stick with the base turbo-4 powertrain. Those models rate 4 out of 10 on the TCC scale in front-drive form, where the EPA test pegs them at 28 mpg city, 38 highway, 32 combined, or 27/35/30 mpg with all-wheel drive. The S3’s 23/32/26-mpg estimates aren’t as impressive, though even the RS 3’s 23 mpg isn’t bad given how much power is underhood.
Audi wants drivers to use premium fuel across the range.