2018 Audi A3 review
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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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
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:
- Includes all features available on the Premium
- Parking Sensors
- View our Audi A3 Premium Plus inventory
Prestige:
- Includes all features available on the Premium Plus
- Automated Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Bang & Olufsen Audio
- View our Audi A3 Prestige inventory
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
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 A3Audi 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
The 2018 Audi A3 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Premium: 26 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
- Premium Plus: 26 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
- Prestige: 26 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
The Audi A3 received a rating of 3 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Audi A3 as 14 out of 25 among Luxury Compact Car
The 2018 Audi A3 has received an average 4.9 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Audi A3, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Audi A3 Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Audi A3:
- Lane Departure Warning
- Front Seat Heaters
- Smart Key
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