Used Audi A3 Saloon 2020-present review

If you fancy the latest Audi A3 Sportback but prefer the three-box, four-door profile of a more traditional executive car check out the current Audi A3 Saloon.

It was launched in 2020 and replaced the 2013-2020 Audi A3 Saloon – an immensely charming compact executive car we much admired for its good manners, classy interior and air of suavity.

This latest model is longer, wider and more spacious inside than the old car, and also comes with some upgraded interior technology and more efficient engines. Like the Sportback, it's great to drive and lovely to sit in – and now it's good value bought used too.

So far, there have been two petrol engines for the latest Saloon, the 30 and 35 TFSI, and two diesels, the 30 and 35 TDI (the 30 TDI was dropped in 2021). There's also the excellent high-performance Audi S3 hot hatch version, if you're after a turn of speed.

The entry-level Sport trim is pretty handsomely equipped. You get 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power-folding door mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and leather upholstery.

S line adds 18in alloys, sporty styling touches and sports front seats. It also came from new with stiffer suspension as standard.

On the road, the 114bhp 30 TDI diesel does occasionally need to be worked quite hard to keep up with the flow, while the 148bhp 35 TDI has noticeably more shove and is more relaxed on motorways. The 148bhp 1.5-litre 35 TFSI petrol is a lovely unit. It's strong and punchy throughout the rev range, pulling well from 200rpm and spinning freely all the way to the red line.

The A3 Saloon comes with different suspension set-ups depending on the engine and the badge on its back. The lower-powered models (with less than 148bhp and the number 30 in their name) have less sophisticated rear suspension than the more powerful versions (badged with a 35). If you go for S line trim, you get a lowered, firmer suspension by default.

It generally rides well, even with the stiffer S line option, and the sweetest-riding A3s are the softer Sport versions. If you want the sportier looks of the S line but without the firmer edge, you should be able to find a car where the original owner chose not to have the stiffer standard suspension.

The A3 Saloon is sharp to drive, too. It corners predictably and securely in S line form, and grips well. It has a great front-to-rear balance that leaves it unflustered by quick changes of direction. In Sport trim, with the slightly softer set-up, it rolls a bit more but still feels tidy to drive.

All the petrols are suitably refined, as is the 35 TDI diesel, but the 30 TDI shows more signs of strain because you have to work it harder.

There’s a large, 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system, but it's more distracting to use on the move than the set-ups in the Mercedes A-Class Saloon, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé and the BMW 3 Series.

That’s because the A3 lacks physical buttons and switches, so you have to look directly at the touchscreen to find and hit the icon you need. You can keep more of your attention on the road while you scroll down a list and make selections using the pad in the A-Class, or twiddle the even better rotary controller in the 3 Series.

On the plus side, the screen is sharp, with good graphics, and the menus respond quickly. It's also packed with features – including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

The A3 Saloon compares well with the A-Class Saloon for showroom appeal, and its materials are generally of good quality. It's not faultless, though. For example, there's a plastic ledge on the dashboard that's not particularly appealing to the touch, plus there are some cheaper-feeling materials around the centre console.

There’s more than enough leg and head room for a couple of tall adults up front. In the back, no one over six feet tall will be stretching out, but neither will they be packed in bent double. It's much better than the previous model in this respect, which was a little cramped in the back. You do get more space in an A4 or 3 Series, though, let alone the huge Skoda Superb.

Meanwhile, the boot is a little bigger than the A-Class Saloon’s, although both cars are slightly off the A4 and 3 Series for load-lugging. The boots of the Superb and the VW Passat are enormous in comparison. However, the A3 Saloon still has more than enough room for a child’s bike, or for the weekly shop to sit alongside a compact baby buggy.

If you're interested in finding a used A3 Saloon – or any of the other cars mentioned here – head over to the What Car? Used Cars For Sale pages.

It's possible to pick up some A3 Saloons of this generation for around £18,000, which is a useful saving over the price of a new one. That will buy you a 30 TFSI or 35 TFSI in Technik trim in good condition and with a nominal mileage on it from a dealer. Expect to pay £20,000 to £25,000 for your 2021 or 2022 A3 if it comes with larger engines or in a higher trim, and £25k-plus for a 2023 car.

MPG

According to the official WLTP figures, the 30 TFSI averages 51.4mpg, the 35 TFSI 50.4mpg, the 30 TDI 64.2mpg, and the 35 TDI 65.7mpg.

Road Tax

All A3s will be registered after April 2017 so will be charged road tax at the flat rate, currently £180 a year.

Insurance

With various engine choices and power outputs, insurance groups for the A3 Saloon 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 extended four or five-year cover.

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 the extra punch of the 35 TFSI version.

We'd recommend sticking with Sport trim as it's well equipped and cheaper on the used market. You get 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power-folding door mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and leather upholstery.

Our favourite Audi A3 saloon: 35 TFSI Sport

One of the most obvious rivals in this compact executive class is the BMW 3 Series saloon. That car has for years defined the class, although we think the Audi A3 Saloon certainly gives it a run for its money. The 3 Series is great to drive, with a strong range of engines and a class-leading iDrive infotainment system. It’s powerful, punchy, economical, classy, good to drive and nice to be in, so it’s no wonder it’s been top of the tree for so long.

The Mercedes C-Class saloon has been held in similarly high regard over the years. It’s comfortable, classy and efficient. Only next to the 3 Series does it seem less refined and not as good to drive, with its ride being a little lumpy on some roads.

There’s also the Mercedes A-Class Saloon which is stylish and, in diesel form, highly economical. The ride is firm, though, and interior space isn’t great.

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If you're interested in finding a used A3 Saloon – or any of the other cars mentioned here – head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages.