Available in a choice of four unique bodystyles, the Audi A3 is nothing if not versatile. There’s the standard three-door hatchback, the five-door Audi A3 Sportback, the four-door Saloon and the rather sexy Cabriolet to choose from – but today, we’ve got the family hatch in our sights.
This bona fide all-rounder offers a capable and classy alternative to premium hatchback rivals the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class – boasting the same exceptional build quality typical of any Audi model.
In our Audi A3 review, we’ll climb inside the hatchback’s cabin and take a peek under the bonnet – giving you all the details you’ll need to decide whether the A3 is the one for you. And thanks to our range of flexible Audi finance deals, you can bypass the premium price tag and get your hands on an A3 of your own today.
- Wide range of efficient engines on offer
- Incredible interior styling
- Bags of space and first-class comfort levels
Source: Juste Remi
Design
VW’s ‘MQB’ platform is being rolled out across all of its mainstream brands – and the Audi A3 has really benefited from the lightness and strength of this ultra-flexible platform. The car’s elegant exterior is only matched by its expertly-crafted interior – adorned with all the classic trademarks of its exceptional German breeding. A handsome car by any standards, the Audi A3 is both a sophisticated solution to the school run and a razor sharp city runaround.
Features
Whichever A3 you opt for, you’ll enjoy a sophisticated 5.8-inch infotainment screen located above the dash – a very nice touch, considering it’s available with any spec. The entry-level SE brings with it Bluetooth, air con, 16-inch alloys and stop/start as standard – and from there, the luxury really levels up. You can upgrade your audio system for a little extra – choosing between the £255 Audi sound system and the positively top-notch Bang & Olufsen setup, which will set you back an additional £750.
In the practicality stakes, the Audi A3 really shines. A stretched wheelbase makes for a seriously spacious interior – giving passengers all the room they’ll ever need. On top of that, a 365-litre boot expands to a vast 1100 litres with the seats folded.
Source: Karlis Dambrans
Performance & handling
Among a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, performance is generally strong. Only the 1.6 TDIs fail to sprint to 62mph in under 10 seconds – and every engine in the lineup boasts a top speed of 120mph or more. Kitted out with a twin-clutch automatic gearbox, the S3 hatchback can complete the 0-62mph sprint in a mere 4.8 seconds – compared to the RS3’s rather impressive time of just 4.3. Suspension on the latest iteration of the A3 is a marked improvement on its predecessor’s – making for a silky ride overall, which runs rings around the firm and shaky experience exhibited in some of the earlier A3s.
Diesel’s the way to go if you’ve got your eye on economy. With CO2 emissions of just 108g/km and an official fuel economy of 68.9mpg, the 148bhp 2-litre TDI is a virtuous option indeed – but the Audi A3 e-tron is, of course, the clear winner when it comes to efficiency. Emitting an almost negligible 37g/km of CO2, you won’t have to worry about road tax with the e-tron – and 176.6 miles to the gallon should help you get maximum bang for your buck.
Audi A3 prices
Unsurprisingly, all of that quality adds up – and although the A3 may not be the cheapest hatchback on the market, you won’t find the same combination of quality, performance and style elsewhere. You can find a new Audi A3 for sale from £18,865 – enough to get your hands on the three-door SE model, which boasts 58mpg and a 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds.
At the other end of the spectrum, there’s the Nav 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 3dr – which will set you back a cool £32,710, if you’re on the hunt for a high performance answer to the hot hatch. On the other hand, buyers on a budget can browse the huge range of used Audi A3s to find a more affordable, pre-loved model and save themselves a bundle.
Source: David Villarreal Fernández
Audi A3 finance
The good news is you can avoid having to pay up-front at all by checking out our flexible Audi A3 finance deals. If you’re looking for a competitive loan on your premium hatch and don’t fancy shopping around to find the best offer, that’s no problem. Working with a panel of the UK’s leading lenders, we can help you find affordable Audi A3 deals to suit your circumstances – meaning you can simply find the car you want to buy and leave the rest to us.
