Audi A3 Review

The Audi A3 gives you much of what you’d expect from a larger Audi without the extra size. It’s compact enough for busy streets and tight parking spaces, but the comfortable cabin and good motorway refinement mean it doesn’t feel like a small car when you’re covering longer distances. 

You can choose between the five-door A3 Sportback and four-door A3 Saloon, with petrol and diesel engines available alongside a plug-in hybrid. That gives you useful options depending on whether most of your driving happens around town or involves longer motorway journeys. 

In this Audi A3 review, we’ll look at how it performs in both situations, where the interior feels worth the premium and where it falls short. We’ll also explain which versions make the most sense if you’re considering an Audi A3 lease. 

Quick Verdict on the Audi A3 

The Audi A3 feels compact around town but surprisingly grown-up once you’re on the motorway. The cabin is comfortable and nicely finished, and its small footprint makes parking or navigating tighter streets straightforward. 

There are roomier hatchbacks, and the BMW 1 Series is more entertaining on a twisty road. But if you’re considering an Audi A3 lease and want a smaller premium car that can handle commuting as comfortably as regular motorway journeys, the A3 makes a lot of sense. 

Overall Rating: 8/10 

The Audi A3 scores an 8/10 because it does a particularly good job of balancing compact dimensions with long-distance comfort. It’s small enough to make town driving straightforward, but it stays settled at motorway speeds and gives you a cabin that feels more upmarket than a typical family hatchback. 

The compromises are fairly clear too. Rear-seat space could be better and some cabin plastics aren't as premium as we'd expect from Audi. Keen drivers may also prefer the BMW 1 Series. But for commuting and regular longer journeys, the A3 covers both without asking you to move up to a larger car.

Audi A3 at a Glance 

The Audi A3 is Audi’s compact premium model, available as the five-door Sportback or four-door Saloon. The Sportback gives you easier access to the boot for bulkier loads, while the Saloon has a larger 425-litre luggage capacity in non-hybrid versions. Petrol and diesel engines are available, alongside a plug-in hybrid for drivers who can charge regularly. 

Who Should Lease the Audi A3? 

The Audi A3 is a good car to lease if you want something more premium than the average family hatchback but don’t need the size of an SUV. Its compact dimensions work well around town, while the refinement at motorway speeds means it won’t feel out of its depth on longer journeys. 

The Audi A3 is a great choice if: 

You want a premium car without the extra size 

The A3 gives you the smart cabin and more upmarket finish you’d expect from Audi, but it’s still a compact car. At around 4.35 metres long in Sportback form, it’s much easier to slot into a supermarket parking space than one of Audi’s larger SUVs. 

We’d lean towards the Sportback if practicality matters. The Saloon looks a little more executive, but the Sportback’s large hatch opening is much handier when you need to load something bulky. 

Your week includes plenty of motorway driving 

The A3 feels reassuringly settled at 70mph, with good noise insulation taking some of the effort out of longer journeys. That makes it a particularly good fit if your commute involves a decent stretch of motorway rather than five miles across town. 

High-mileage drivers also have the option of a diesel A3, something that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find as manufacturers move away from diesel altogether. 

You want an engine that matches how you actually drive 

The A3 still gives you a useful amount of choice under the bonnet. Petrol works well if your mileage is fairly moderate, whereas diesel is better suited to drivers regularly covering long distances. 

There’s also the A3 plug-in hybrid. If you have somewhere to charge and most of your weekday journeys are relatively short, you can use electric power for much of your routine driving without giving up a petrol engine for longer trips. 

The Audi A3 may not be the best choice if: 

You regularly carry adults in the back 

Rear space is adequate rather than generous. Two adults will fit, but taller passengers may find legroom tight when they're sitting behind a tall driver or front passenger. 

If your A3 is mainly going to carry one or two people, that probably won't bother you. If you've got growing teenagers or regularly travel with four adults, we'd try the back seats before signing a lease. 

You need lots of family space 

The standard A3 Sportback has a 380-litre boot, which is perfectly useful for shopping or a couple of suitcases. Start adding a pushchair and everything else that comes with travelling as a family, though, and that space can disappear surprisingly quickly. 

A larger hatchback, estate or SUV will give you more breathing room if you're regularly filling every seat and the boot. 

You want something genuinely sporty to drive 

The A3 has plenty of grip and feels secure through corners, but it isn't a car that constantly encourages you to find the scenic route home. Its setup is much more focused on keeping things composed during normal driving. 

If steering feel and handling are high on your list, we'd make sure you test out the BMW 1 Series as well. The A3's strengths become much clearer when comfort and motorway refinement matter more. 

Our Verdict 

For an Audi A3 lease, the sweet spot is someone who wants a smaller car but still spends enough time on the motorway to appreciate good refinement and a comfortable cabin. The Sportback gives you a useful 380-litre boot without making the car cumbersome around town, and the choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid means you can match the engine to your mileage. You’ll find more rear space elsewhere, but you don’t need to move up to a larger Audi just to get a car that feels comfortable on a long journey.

Exterior Design & Road Presence 

The Audi A3 has a fairly understated look, even after its recent updates. The wide Singleframe grille and slim LED headlights sharpen up the front end, and higher trims get customisable daytime running light signatures – a small touch, but one that gives the A3 a bit more personality. 

Trim choice makes a noticeable difference. Sport is the most restrained, while the S line brings larger wheels and a more aggressive look. Black Edition adds dark exterior details if you want something a little moodier. 

There’s also the choice between Sportback and Saloon. The Sportback has the familiar hatchback shape. The Saloon’s longer rear gives it the look of a scaled-down Audi executive car. Neither is particularly flashy, which suits the A3 rather well. 

Interior, Technology & Comfort 

The Audi A3 interior feels modern without putting every control behind a touchscreen. You get a 10.1-inch central display and Audi Virtual Cockpit, but there are still physical climate controls below the screen. We much prefer being able to turn the heating up without taking our eyes off the road. 

The driving position has plenty of adjustment and the front seats are supportive on longer journeys. There’s good space up front too, although things are tighter in the back if tall adults are sitting behind one another. 

Cabin quality is good where it matters most, but don't expect high-end materials everywhere. There are harder plastics lower down that take some of the shine off the premium feel, particularly when you remember what an A3 can cost to lease. 

Still, the cabin is one of the A3's stronger points. The screens are neatly integrated into the dashboard rather than perched on top of it, and the combination of physical controls with modern tech makes it refreshingly straightforward to use. 

What’s the Audi A3 Like to Drive? 

The Audi A3 is at its best when comfort matters more than excitement. The steering is light around town, and its compact size makes tight streets or parking spaces straightforward to deal with. 

It feels particularly well suited to motorway driving. Wind and road noise are kept under control, while the car stays settled at 70mph. If your commute mixes town driving with longer stretches on the motorway, the A3 handles that combination well. 

Your choice of trim can affect the ride. Larger wheels look good but make potholes and rough surfaces more noticeable, so we'd think twice before choosing them purely for appearance. 

There’s plenty of grip on a twisty road, although the A3 never feels especially playful. If that matters to you, try the BMW 1 Series as well. The Audi puts more emphasis on refinement, which arguably makes more sense if you’ll be driving it to work every day. 

Audi A3 Engines & Performance 

The Audi A3 gives you a choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power. Which one makes sense comes down to your mileage and where you do most of your driving, so it’s worth looking beyond the headline MPG figures.  

Petrol and Mild-Hybrid Audi A3 

A petrol A3 is the natural starting point if you split your time between town and longer journeys. There’s enough performance for overtaking or joining the motorway without paying for more power than you’re likely to use. 

Some versions add mild-hybrid assistance to improve efficiency. There’s nothing extra for you to do here since you don’t plug it in, and the electrical system works quietly in the background. 

Diesel Audi A3 

The diesel A3 still has a place if you regularly rack up motorway miles. Its better fuel economy over longer distances can make it a smarter choice for a high-mileage commute, but there are higher fuel costs to consider.  

We’d skip it if most of your journeys are short trips around town, though. That's exactly the sort of driving where diesel makes less sense. 

Audi A3 Plug-In Hybrid 

The Audi A3 plug-in hybrid is the one to look at if you have somewhere to charge regularly. Keep the battery topped up and you can cover many shorter journeys on electric power, with the petrol engine there when you need to travel further. 

If you rarely plug it in, you lose much of the reason for choosing the PHEV in the first place. We'd only choose one if charging can realistically become part of your normal routine. 

Practicality & Boot Space 

The Audi A3 has plenty of room for two adults up front, but rear space is tighter. Two adults will fit in the back, although taller passengers may struggle for legroom behind a tall driver. The middle seat is better kept for shorter journeys. 

In petrol and diesel versions, the A3 Sportback has a 380-litre boot. The wide hatch opening makes it easy to load bulkier items, and you can fold the rear seats when you need more space. Plug-in hybrid models lose some boot capacity because of the battery, so bear that in mind if you regularly travel fully loaded. 

The A3 Saloon actually gives you more luggage capacity in non-hybrid versions, but its narrower boot opening makes bulky items harder to load. If pushchairs or the occasional flat-pack are part of the job description, we'd take the Sportback. 

For couples or smaller families, the A3 should offer enough space without giving you a bigger car to park and manoeuvre every day. If you regularly carry four adults plus their luggage, we'd look for something roomier. 

Running Costs & Fuel Economy 

Audi A3 running costs vary considerably by engine. Diesel is likely to give the best fuel economy if you cover lots of motorway miles, whereas the plug-in hybrid can cut petrol use dramatically if you charge regularly. For mixed driving and moderate mileage, petrol is the simpler option. 

Don’t take the PHEV’s headline MPG figure at face value. It assumes you’re making regular use of the battery, so drivers who rarely charge won’t see anything close to it in everyday driving. 

Your choice of trim can affect costs too. Larger wheels generally mean pricier replacement tyres, while more powerful versions may cost more to insure. When comparing Audi A3 lease deals, look at the monthly payment alongside your likely fuel or charging costs rather than choosing on MPG alone. 

Audi A3 Trim Levels Explained 

The Audi A3 comes in Sport, S line and Black Edition trims, with each step up bringing a sportier look. Sport is the most understated of the three. S line adds larger wheels and more aggressive styling, and Black Edition finishes things off with dark exterior details.  

Sport shouldn't be dismissed just because it sits at the bottom of the range. You still get the A3's digital displays and core infotainment. The smaller wheels may even be a bonus if you regularly drive on rougher roads, as they help take some of the edge off bumps and potholes.  

Which Audi A3 Trim Is Best for Leasing? 

S line will probably hit the sweet spot for many of our Audi A3 lease customers, but check the actual monthly prices before deciding. Lease pricing doesn't always follow the list price neatly, so sometimes moving up a trim costs surprisingly little. If there's a sizeable jump to S line or Black Edition, Sport gives you most of what makes the A3 appealing without paying extra for styling.  

What’s the Difference Between the Audi A3 Sportback and Saloon? 

The Audi A3 Sportback is a five-door hatchback with a wide boot opening, making it easier to load bulky items. The four-door A3 Saloon has a more traditional executive-car shape and a larger 425-litre boot in non-hybrid versions, compared with 380 litres in the equivalent Sportback. We'd choose the Sportback if practicality matters most; the Saloon is more about preferring that classic Audi saloon shape. 

Audi A3 vs the Competition 

The Audi A3 sits between the sportier BMW 1 Series and the more design-led Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Volkswagen Golf is the one to compare if you want similar everyday ability without paying as much for the premium badge.  

Audi A3 vs BMW 1 Series 

Compared with the BMW 1 Series, the A3 feels more focused on comfort. The BMW has sharper steering and is more enjoyable on a twisty road. We prefer the Audi’s separate climate controls, though, especially when you just want to change the temperature without digging through a touchscreen.  

Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class 

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class puts more emphasis on its interior design, with a distinctive twin-screen setup. The A3 takes a more restrained approach and gives you a larger boot in Sportback form: 380 litres compared with 350 litres in the Mercedes.  

Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf 

The Volkswagen Golf is perhaps the trickiest rival because it covers much of the same ground for less money. Boot space is almost identical, although the Golf has more rear passenger room. The A3 feels more upmarket inside, so we'd compare the lease prices closely. A small monthly difference makes the Audi tempting; a big one makes the Golf harder to ignore. 

Is the Audi A3 Worth Leasing? 

The Audi A3 is worth leasing if you want a compact car that feels more refined than a typical family hatchback. It’s particularly good on the motorway, yet at 4.35 metres long in Sportback form it remains manageable around town. 

We’d start with the A3 Sportback for its more useful hatchback boot, then compare Sport and S line lease prices. The Volkswagen Golf gives you more rear space for your money, and the BMW 1 Series is more entertaining to drive, but the A3 strikes a good balance if comfort and cabin quality matter more. 

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