Used Audi A3 hatchback 2020-present review

To say we liked the previous 2013-2020 Audi A3 would rank as the understatement of the decade. It's a great family car, so much so that it was our overall What Car? Car of the Year when it was launched. It also went on to carry off our overall What Car? Used Car of the Year title in 2019.

This latest version of the Audi A3 hasn't messed too much with the successful formula. It's very clearly an evolution of the previous generation car rather than a radical overhauling of it, both in terms of its styling and design and also of what lies underneath the bodywork.

Engines: To that end, it offers a good choice of petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines. The petrols start with the 109bhp 1.0-litre 30 TFSI and progress up to the 1.5 litre 35 TFSI, which packs 148bhp, while there are a couple of plug-in hybrids: the 40 TFSIe and 45 TFSIe. If you're after a diesel they're both 2.0 litres but with different power outputs: the entry-level is the 114bhp 30 TDI and then there's a 148bhp 35 TDI.

Trims & equipment: Trim-wise, things kick off with entry-level Technik, which gives you cruise control, air-conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, 16in alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Go up to Sport and you get dual-zone climate control, a part-leather/ part-faux leather interior and 17in wheels. S line brings 18in alloys, privacy glass, dynamic indicators, sportier styling touches and front sports seats, while Vorsprung has every option ticked, but it is obviously the most expensive of the bunch, both new and used.

Ride & handling: On the road, the 30 TFSI is great if you don't tend to travel with the car loaded up and mainly potter around town. It'll tackle motorways but you need to rev it out and drop gears more often than you would with the 35 TFSI. With 1.5 litres and 148bhp, it's gutsier, pulling handsomely from around 2000rpm and spinning freely all the way to the engine's red line. The 45 TFSIe is punchy, with the 201bhp from the petrol engine and electric motor working together, 0-62mph takes just 7.6sec. Performance is slower but still satisfactory in electric-only mode, and officially it will do up to 40 miles on a charge.

Meanwhile, the entry-level 114bhp 30 TDI diesel needs to be worked quite hard if you want to make good progress, while the 148bhp 35 TDI is noticeably stronger and proves particularly relaxed on motorway runs.

All of the A3’s engines are impressively quiet most of the time. The fact that you need to work the 30 TFSI petrol and 30 TDI diesel harder than the more powerful alternatives makes them a tad noisier, though.

Technik and Sport trims have smaller wheels and softer suspension so, unsurprisingly, they ride the best. S line trim and above have a lower, stiffer set-up and bigger wheels but, even so, cushion the bumps well most of the time. The A3 handles predictably, too, securely and engagingly in all versions.

Interior & practicality: Inside you'll find a great driving position, with a standard front armrest and loads of steering wheel and seat adjustment. All of the controls and screens you use frequently are clear and within easy reach, and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display comes as standard and shows all your driving information on a crisp, 10.3in screen, with various layouts to select from. Upper trims get an enhanced version with a 12.3in screen

There’s a large, 10.1in-touchscreen infotainment system, but this is more distracting to use on the move than those cars that come equipped with a rotary controller dial, as once upon a time the A3 did. On the plus side, the screen is sharp with good graphics and the menus respond quickly.

The A3 compares well with its rivals for showroom appeal and the materials employed are generally fine. It isn’t the best, though. The dashboard’s prominent plastic ledge isn't particularly appealing when you touch it, plus there are some cheaper-feeling materials around the centre console and lower down on the doors.

There’s more than enough leg and shoulder room for tall adults up front. In the rear, anyone over six feet tall won’t exactly be sprawling out in luxury, but neither will they be packed in with their knees tucked up under their chin.

The A3's tailgate opening is a decent size and the square space it reveals is similar in size to its main rivals in this class – it can fit five carry-on suitcases under its parcel shelf.

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 great prices.

It is possible now to pick up some A3s of this generation for around £15,000. This will buy you a 2020 or 2021 model – a 30 TFSI or 35 TFSI in Technik trim – from a dealer in good condition. It should have around 50,000 miles on it.

Expect to pay at least £17,000 for a 2022 A3 or around £20,000 for a 2023 car. You'll pay closer to £30,000 if you also want a more powerful engine and/or a higher trim level or a 2024 car.

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MPG

According to the official WLTP figures, the 30 TFSI averages 51.4mpg, the 35 TFSI 50.4mpg, the 30 TDI 64.2mpg, the 35 TDI 65.7mpg, the 40 TDI 48.7mpg, the 40 TFSIe 282.5mpg and the 45 TFSIe 235.4mpg.

Road Tax

All A3s will be registered after April 2017 so will be charged road tax at the flat rate, currently £190 per year or £180 for a hybrid car.

Insurance

With various engine choices and power outputs, insurance groups for the A3 range from 14 to 40. 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

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 Audi A3's reliability has its highs and lows, according to real-world owner reviews from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey. Many A3 owners initially enjoy a trouble-free year, but electronic malfunctions and persistent engine warning lights often necessitate dealer visits.

Feedback on dealer service is mixed—some commend the quick and professional repairs, while others criticize the slow and costly service. Notably, owners of diesel A3s report repeated problems with the exhaust system, frequently leading to unresolved issues even after multiple service visits.

Despite its average reliability score, the variability in service quality has left some owners dissatisfied.

Discover more about the used Audi A3's reliability 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, and especially the hybrid 40 TFSIe, which combines great potential economy – if it fits into your lifestyle – with punchy performance.

We'd recommend sticking with cheaper Technik trim. This gets you a host of kit, including cruise control, air-conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, 16in alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Our favourite Audi A3: 40 TFSIe Technik

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

The most obvious is 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 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 BMW 1 Series. It’s a good looking and well-equipped car with a lot of kerbside appeal. It's appealing to keen drivers, too.

Similarly, the Mercedes A-Class is a premium and very desirable hatchback with a luscious interior design, but one that's let down by its slightly inferior driving dynamics when compared with the A3 and the 1 Series and higher used prices.

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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 great prices.