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2018 Audi A3 review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Audi A3 highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Good balance of comfortable ride and sporty handling
  • Strong acceleration from turbocharged engine
  • Refined and stylish cabin

Cons

  • Small back seat
  • Tiny trunk

Mileage (EPA estimate)

22 city, 30 highway, 25 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year
Mileage

The 2018 Audi A3 is small, quick, refined, and anything but entry-level

One year after a substantial update in 2017, the 2018 Audi A3 offered only minor changes. Heated front seats and dual USB ports became standard, and blind-spot warning was included on the middle Premium Plus trim level. The 2018 retains the bigger shifts from the year before, including a new transmission and sharpened exterior style that helped make the A3 a leader among entry-level luxury sedans.

The A3’s just-right blend of performance, comfort, and refinement stems from roots it shares with the Volkswagen Golf, a lithe and snazzy hatchback. Compared to the Golf, the A3 amps up the luxury details and also offers all-wheel drive. The A3 is even available as a convertible. Among its rivals — the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Lexus IS 300 — the Audi offers a compelling overall package. Its only real flaw is a tiny trunk, so if you don’t have bulky cargo needs, the A3 could be a good fit.

All Audi A3 years

What is new for the 2018 Audi A3?

  • A3 trims have been upgraded with Sunroof(s) and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment this year.
  • The Premium Plus trim now comes with Navigation System as standard equipment.
  • The Premium trim now comes with Front Seat Heaters, Smart Key, Navigation System, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard equipment.

2018 Audi A3 trims

Curious how Audi A3 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Premium:

  • 186-hp, 221-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
  • 220-hp, 258-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Rear Defroster
  • Cruise Control
  • Leather Seats
  • Power Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Power Mirrors
  • Traction Control
  • View our Audi A3 Premium inventory

Premium Plus:

Prestige:

  • Includes all features available on the Premium Plus
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Bang & Olufsen Audio

Audi A3 photos

5 reasons to buy the 2018 Audi A3

What We Like

Performance: The A3 strikes a sublime balance of performance and comfort. It’s quick, handles precisely, brakes smoothly, and rides comfortably. Audi has refined this formula for decades and distilled it to the pint-sized A3. Front-wheel-drive models pack a light but adequate punch with 186 horsepower, while all-wheel-drive models get a boost to 220 hp and extra low-end acceleration. A firm suspension makes the A3 feel agile in twists and turns, even more so in all-wheel-drive models, yet doesn’t sacrifice a comfortable ride for responsive handling.

Comfort: The A3’s roomy and comfortable front seats feel more typical of a larger luxury sedan, and they remain firm and supportive even during long stints behind the wheel. A well-sorted suspension absorbs all but the worst bumps in the road and helps minimize road noise, making the A3 a car you can drive for hours without fatigue. Space is at a premium in the back seat, but no more so than in its rivals.

Interior: The A3 is Audi’s entry-level sedan, but the leather upholstery, contrast stitching, textured panels, and aluminum accents make it feel like a pricier model. Even the knobs and switches operate with a heft that suggests a more expensive car. Clear views out of the front and sides boost confidence when hustling through quick turns or threading hectic traffic, while a pop-up screen and intuitive infotainment controls make it easy to call up a map display to see where you’re headed. The convertible version, with its fabric top and narrow rear window, doesn’t offer quite the same unbroken panorama, though.

What Needs Improvement

Cargo space: The A3’s tidy dimensions and all-wheel-drive system don’t leave much room for stuff. Given that it’s the shortest car in its class, it’s no surprise that the A3’s 10 cubic feet of trunk space is also the smallest. For cargo hauling, the larger A4 might be a better bet.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Audi A3 an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Audi A3 15th out of 25 among Luxury Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Audi A3

Audi A3 features and specs

Premium 2WD 2D Convertible

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Leather Seats
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Soft Top
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Leather Seats
  • Navigation System
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Smart Key

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.0L

Horsepower

186

Torque (ft-lbs)

221

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

13.2

Wheelbase

102.2"

Overall length

174.1"

Width

70.7"

Height

55.5"

Leg room

F 41.2"/R 31.9"

Head room

F 37.4"/R 36.3"

Front tires

P225/45HR17

Rear tires

P225/45HR17

Seating capacity

4

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Audi A3 FAQ

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