Used Audi A3 hatchback 2013-2020 review

Shortly after its launch in 2013, this previous generation of Audi A3 won our overall What Car? Car of the Year Award and in its last year on sale (2020), it was our overall Used Car of the Year. So, needless to say, it's rather good.

But is that really surprising? It shares the same tried and tested mechanical underpinnings as the VW Golf and Skoda Octavia, yet adds a layer of luxury and quality to further enhance its appeal.

Engines & Performance: The A3 has a wide range of impressive engines at its disposal. The petrols included an entry-level 103bhp 1.2-litre, a 123bhp 1.4-litre unit, a 178bhp 1.8 and a 148bhp 1.4-litre that could automatically shut off two of its four cylinders at a cruise to save fuel. Diesels included a 103bhp 1.6 TDI, and 148bhp and 181bhp versions of a 2.0 TDI.

There was even a plug-in hybrid, the A3 Sportback e-tron, which mixed a smooth 1.4-litre petrol engine with electric power. You could also choose the sporty 296bhp 2.0-litre S3 model or the fire-breathing, range-topping, super-sporting 394bhp 2.5-litre turbo version, the Audi RS3.

In 2016 the A3 was facelifted, with a refreshed look, some engine updates and the option of a new digital instrument display. It also received a number of new safety systems, including a semi-autonomous traffic jam assist function.

A sweet, lively, 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine was added to the range, effectively replacing the earlier 1.2-litre unit. The facelift also meant the popular 1.4 TFSI 150 petrol engine was replaced by a more efficient 1.5-litre TFSI unit, and the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the Audi S3 gained an extra 10bhp, taking it to 306bhp.

Ride & Handling: On the road, you'll find that every version, no matter what its age, is great to drive. The 1.4 TFSI was smooth and powerful and reasonably economical. The replacement 1.5 (badged in later cars as the 35 TFSI) balances strong, flexible performance across the rev range with decent economy. Of the diesels, the 114bhp 1.6-litre engine (later called the 30 TDI) provides solid pace and makes for relaxed progress. The 148bhp 2.0-litre engine (badged as the 35 TDI) pulls harder across the rev range and the more powerful 187bhp 2.0-litre (called 40 TDI) is useful if you need even more oomph. The six-speed manual and the automatic gearbox option both shift cogs effortlessly and smoothly.

You still have to be careful when choosing which one to buy, though, because the S line models have larger wheels and firmer suspension that can make the ride too fidgety (although some will have been specified with the regular Dynamic suspension, which is the more forgiving set-up). The firmer suspension does help the A3 stay even more upright through tight twists and turns, but the handling benefits are small and, because of the degradation in ride quality, we'd stick with the softer Dynamic suspension for the sweetest ride and handling compromise.

Overall, though, this is an impressively refined car that’s also supremely agile and a pleasure to drive, with precise steering and surefooted handling. It'll change direction with more zeal than, say, a Golf or Skoda Octavia, there’s buckets of grip and body roll is kept neatly in check. It's really only the Ford Focus that offers keen drivers more fun, especially in its latest version. There are also four-wheel-drive variants (badged quattro) for added traction in slippery conditions.

Interior and practicality: Inside, the A3 is spacious and practical, either in three-door or five-door Sportback guise, and it has a beautifully made interior that’s more than practical enough for the needs of most families. The driving position is spot on. There’s more than enough leg and shoulder room for a couple of tall adults up front, and even six-footers should be reasonably happy with the amount of leg and head room available.

The Audi A3’s boot has almost exactly the same amount of space as the Mercedes A-Class, and both can fit up to six carry-on suitcases. While that’s pretty decent for the class, it's miles away from the class champion, the Skoda Octavia, which can take 11. It’s also worth noting that quattro four-wheel-drive models suffer a 40-litre reduction in boot space because of the extra oily bits underneath.

It's fair to say that the A3 is so good that desirability might be its only problem: demand on the used car market is high. The A3 wasn’t a cheap car to buy new (it was certainly more expensive than the Golf and Ford Focus), but it's actually very good value compared with premium rivals such as the BMW 1 Series and the A-Class. It’s worth looking out for a facelifted A3 for its improved equipment levels, as well as the minor updates to the interior and exterior.

Trims & Equipment: At its original launch, the A3 was available in a choice of three trims: SE, Sport and S line. An SE Technik trim was added to the range soon afterwards, and in later versions it replaced SE as the entry-level trim. Over the years, there have been a number of limited editions and special trims with various cosmetic and equipment upgrades, most notably the Black Edition.

If you opt for an earlier SE A3, you'll get 16in alloys, xenon headlights, cruise control, rear parking sensors and auto lights and wipers fitted as standard. Inside, there's air conditioning, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and Audi's MMI infotainment system with a 7.0in display, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, plus as smartphone integration. Upgrading to the SE Technik trim added sat-nav and a three-month trial to Audi's online connected services.

Sport trim gains 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, front sports seats and touches of aluminium, while S line cars get LED headlights, a sporty bodykit, lowered and firmed-up suspension, ambient interior LED lighting, part-leather upholstery and 18in alloys. Topping the standard range is the Black Edition models, which get fancy 18in alloys, an improved audio system and lots of gloss-black exterior styling.

If you're interested in finding a used Audi A3 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the What Car? Used Car Buying pages to find lots of vehicles listed for sale at a great price.

The A3 has been a consistently big seller for Audi, so there are plenty of examples on the used car market.

Prices start at around £6000 for an early car from 2013 with around 100,000 miles. Move up to £7000 and you can bag yourself either a three-door or five-door car with less than 100,000 miles from 2013 or 2014, with a good service history, bought from an independent dealer. Prices for the two A3 variants seem fairly evenly matched on the used car market, although the added practicality of its extra doors just edges the Sportback ahead in the popularity stakes.

If you shell out £9000 and upwards, you should find a 2014 A3 Sportback with an average mileage and full service history. Upping your wedge to between £12,000 and £14,000 ought to bring in a manufacturer-approved used facelifted A3 from 2016 or 2017 that’s carrying a fairly nominal mileage. Spend between £15,000 and £17,000 on a 2017 or 2018 car, and £17,000 to £19,000 on a 2018 or 2019 model. Run-out 2020 cars should set you back between £19,000 and £25,000.

If you’re interested in any of the speciality models, a 2015 A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid with less than 40,000 miles is about £16,500-£17,500. A well-kept 2014 S3 hot hatch with a full service history and 30,000-40,000 miles is around £18,000, while a RS3 in the same condition will be about £30,000.

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MPG: When the A3 was launched in 2013, it offered a wide range of engines. The petrols include a 123bhp 1.4 (NEDC average of 55.4mpg and £30 annual road tax), a 178bhp 1.8 (48.7mpg and £140), and a 148bhp 1.4-litre unit that can automatically shut off two of its four cylinders at a cruise to save fuel. Audi calls it cylinder on demand (CoD), and it helps cut fuel consumption down to 60.1mpg and only £20 for road tax (on cars registered before April 2017).

The diesel 1.6 TDI should be the cheapest version to run, with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km on some models and 74.3mpg average economy, which means no road tax for cars registered before April 2017. The 2.0 TDI 150 isn't quite as efficient, with 67.3mpg and £20 road tax.

Various engines were introduced later on, including a 1.2-litre petrol that gets 57.6mpg and £30 road tax. But it was the 2016 facelift that brought a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. This sweet and economical unit is great in town and never feels short of puff. It returns an official NEDC average economy of 62.8mpg and is subject to £20 road tax.

The plug-in hybrid A3 e-tron is the most economical model on paper officially, at 176.6mpg, but you’ll need to charge the car after every journey and use the engine sparingly to get close to that.

Later cars were tested under the newer, more realistic WLTP procedure. The 30 TFSI averages 49.6mpg, the 35 TFSI 44.8mpg, the 40 TFSI 38.2mpg, the 30 TDI 54.3mpg, the 35 TDI 56.5mpg the 40 TDI 44.8mpg, the S3 34.4mpg and the RS3 29.7mpg.

Road tax: All petrol and diesel cars registered after April 2017 will currently cost you £180 per year in road tax, with hybrid examples currently costing owners £170 per year. Just be wary of some of the high-performance models, such as the RS3: if the original retail price was over £40,000, you’ll be subject to an additional £390 fee every year until it's six years old.

Insurance and servicing: With various engine choices and power outputs, insurance groups for the A3 range from 14 to 46 – the latter being for the RS3. That means the A3 probably won't be extremely cheap to insure, but it shouldn't be too costly either, especially if you go for a lower-powered example.

Servicing on the A3 is due every two years or 19,000 miles, with Audi main dealers offering a comprehensive service plan for cars three years old and older. The plan provides an interim service for £164 and a main service for £319.

From new, many A3s were covered by an Audi Service Plan that could be used to cover the cost of routine servicing for up to five years or 50,000 miles. The A3 was also covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty from new, with the option of an extended four or five-year cover.

Reliability

The general feedback on the Audi A3 suggests a good level of reliability, with numerous owners enjoying years of spotless ownership. However, there have been reports of electronic and engine problems.

Dealer service has received mixed reviews. Many appreciate the professionalism and expertise of dealership staff, acknowledging swift and proficient service. On the other hand, some owners have voiced concerns over high repair costs and long waits for service appointments.

Discover more about used Audi A3 reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

Whether to choose petrol or diesel power depends largely on how high your annual mileage is and how you will be using the car. On the whole, we prefer the smoothness of the petrols, notably the 148bhp 1.4-litre TFSI if we were buying an older car, or the 1.5-litre engine if we were looking at a later one.

We'd recommend Sport trim. This gets you a host of extra kit, including dual-zone climate control, sports seats and bigger 17in wheels.

Our favourite Audi A3: 1.4 TFSI 150 Sport

The family car class is a crowded and hotly contested one, so there are many serious alternatives to the Audi A3.

The most obvious is the Mk7 version of the Volkswagen Golf. This is the archetypal small family car and long-term king of the hatchbacks. It shares most of its running gear with the A3, so the Golf has the advantage of offering nearly everything the Audi does but at a slightly reduced premium. It also offers a similar range of engines and several trim levels to suit all tastes.

The Ford Focus has always impressed us for its practicality nearly as much as its driver appeal. The latest version, launched in 2018, is a real humdinger to drive, with eager handling and a fine ride. That said, the A3 (and indeed the Golf) are both nicer cars to be in.

Another small hatchback with a desirable badge is the older 2011-2019 version of the BMW 1 Series. It’s certainly less practical than the A3, with limited rear room and a small boot, but the fact that it's rear-wheel-drive means it stands out in this class and will be more appealing to keen drivers.

Similarly, the previous-generation Mercedes A-Class is a premium hatchback, but one that's let down by its inferior driving dynamics, surprisingly poor refinement and relatively small interior.

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If you're interested in finding a used Audi A3 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the What Car? Used Car Buying pages to find lots of vehicles listed for sale at a great price.