2026 Audi A3

Overview

The A3 is Audi’s smallest, most affordable offering in the U.S. and a great option for anyone looking for a smooth-riding, fuel-efficient, and tech-forward luxury subcompact sedan. The car’s rev-happy turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers a modest 201 ponies, but it works in harmony with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to propel the A3 to 60 mph in a respectable 6.0 seconds.

Steering feel is a little lacking, but the A3 handles well and delivers an overall enjoyable driving experience. Also lacking is back seat space, as the A3's petite size makes it a snug place for four adults.

Expert Tip: If the A3 is too mild for your tastes, you can order the medium-spicy S3 or red-hot RS3, but prepare for a lot of added cost.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#1 in Best Subcompact Luxury Cars

1

Audi A3

9/10

STARTING AT: $41,395

SHOP A3

2

Acura Integra

8.5/10

STARTING AT: $34,695

SHOP Integra

3

Cadillac CT4

8/10

STARTING AT: $37,795

SHOP CT4

4

BMW 2-series Gran Coupe

8/10

STARTING AT: $41,350

SHOP 2-series Gran Coupe

5

Mercedes-Benz CLA-class

8/10

STARTING AT: $44,100

SHOP CLA-class

6

Mini Cooper

7.5/10

STARTING AT: $26,675

SHOP Cooper

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What's New for 2026?

We expect little, if anything, to change for the A3 for 2026.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year's model is largely unchanged and you're comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it'll cost less than buying new.

C/D RATING:9/10

2025 Audi A3

C/D RATING:8.5/10

2024 Audi A3

C/D RATING:8.5/10

2023 Audi A3

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

• Engine: 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
• Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

A3 buyers won’t lose any sleep debating which powertrain to choose, as the 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 48-volt hybrid system and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the sole offering. All-wheel drive is standard.

The car is playful and reactive enough to make commuting entertaining, and it delivers a pleasant ride over most surfaces, though you won’t mistake it for a genuine sports sedan. If you're looking for heightened performance and faster reflexes, we encourage you to consider the 328-hp S3, which hits 60 mph 1.8 seconds sooner than the A3.

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0–60-MPH Times

• C/D 60-mph Test: 6.0 seconds (2022 A3)

In Comparison: The last A3 we tested (a 2022 model) made 221 pound-feet of torque and hit the 60-mph mark in 6.0 seconds, which is slightly behind the pace of the Cadillac CT4 (5.8 seconds) and Mercedes CLA250 (5.6). The current A3 is very similar to that model, only it makes 236 pound-feet, which might shave a tenth off its time.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

• C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 40 mpg
• EPA City Rating: 24 mpg
• EPA Highway Rating: 34 mpg

The A3 earns EPA ratings of 24 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. In our hands, however, the all-wheel-drive A3 beat its official EPA number, returning a solid 40 mpg on C/D’s 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route. For more information about the A3's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The A3’s cabin's premium look and feel is marred by some hard-plastic trim in places, but up front, the seating position is excellent, and the leather-wrapped seats are plush. The design is also driver-focused, with a dash that juts out to angle the touchscreen and climate controls toward the person at the helm.

Second Row: The back can accommodate kids in reasonable comfort, but adults—especially tall ones—may voice some complaints.

Cargo Capacity: The A3 has a rather small trunk, offering just 10.9 cubic feet of space, but it should be enough for an average grocery store haul or a weekend's worth of luggage. In our testing, the smallest Audi sedan held four carry-on suitcases in its trunk and a total of 14 with the rear seats folded.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

• Infotainment: 10.1-inch touchscreen
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Audio Systems: 6-speaker stereo (standard); 15-speaker Sonos stereo (optional)

The base A3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel. Opting for the Tech package—available only on the Premium Plus trim—brings a 12.3-inch cluster that can display navigation info in the center of the screen. It’s an easy-to-use and attractive setup. Plus, the infotainment system allows users to download third-party apps like Spotify and YouTube.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The A3 comes with some driver-assistance tech, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and park assist are all available.

• Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights
• Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring

For information about the A3’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Audi A3’s coverage is nothing special: Its limited and powertrain warranties match those offered by its BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals. The Cadillac CT4 has longer powertrain coverage.

• Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary Maintenance: three years or 30,000 miles

C/D Test Results and Specs

We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.

Specifications

Specifications

2022 Audi A3 Quattro
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $37,895/$45,390
Options: Premium Plus package (adaptive cruise control, vehicle alarm with motion sensor, active lane assist, side- and cross-traffic assist, full LED headlights, driver's seat memory, park assist, wireless phone charger), $3300; Technology package (Audi Connect Plus, Audi MMI Navigation Plus, virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch display, Bang & Olufsen stereo, side-traffic alert), $2250; 18-inch wheel package with all-season tires, $800; Manhattan Gray metallic paint, $595; interior style package (Agate Gray grain birch wood inlays, LED interior lighting), $550

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 121 in³, 1984 cm³
Power: 201 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 221 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm 

TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/10.7-in disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero All Season
Tire Size: 225/40R-18 92H M+S AO

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.5 in
Length: 176.9 in
Width: 71.5 in
Height: 56.2 in
Passenger Volume: 88 ft³
Trunk Volume: 8–11 ft³
Curb Weight: 3509 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 95 mph
100 mph: 16.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.89 g 

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 26 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 40 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 560 mi 

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 31/28/36 mpg  

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs