2018 Audi A3

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Rating8.3

Ranked #2 in 

Subcompact Sedan
Write Review
$31,950 - $49,500
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 1, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Upscale and silent cabin

Claustrophobic rear row

Two USB ports and heated front seats are now standard

Impressive acceleration

No manual transmission is offered

Premium Plus trim gets blind-spot monitoring as a standard feature

Loaded with technology and features

Options drive up the price high

Specs & Features

$42,750

price

220 hp @ 4500 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

torque

TBD

transmission

2.0L 4cyl AWD 6AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Audi A3 Sedan is a subcompact sedan offered in 3 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $31,950. For that price, it mainly competes with the Acura ILX Sedan, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Sedan, and the Cadillac ATS Sedan. Between 3 trims, the A3 Sedan offers 2 powertrains. The FWD models are powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 capable of making 186 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.

This engine comes mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. However, the Quattro AWD models get a similar but more powerful, 220 horsepower-making 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine. It comes paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The FWD A3 Sedan reaches 60 mph from zero in 6.6 seconds, which gets pumped up to 5.5 seconds in the AWD models.

Depending on the powertrain, the A3 Sedan can manage a combined fuel economy between 27 and 29 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 9 striking colors the A3 Sedan comes in really pull you towards itself. quot;Car Confectionsquot; and we believe that quot;its efficient yet powerful 1.4L TFSI 4-cylinder is worth a lookquot;. Check out more on this video.

Buying Advice

The 2018 Audi A3 Sedan is an impressive offering in the segment with capable powertrains and an impressive cabin. Among the three trims on offer, we recommend purchasing the mid-level Premium Plus trim that offers impressive value for money. We suggest to get this trim with the Quattro AWD. 

Trims

    Premium
    $31,950 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    Tech Premium Plus
    $33,650 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 220 hp @ 4500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg
    Premium Plus
    $34,950 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 6AM
    • Horsepower: 220 hp @ 4500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg
    Tech Premium
    $38,350 onwards
    • Navigation system
    Prestige
    $40,700 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 186 hp @ 4400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 221 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    Technology Premium
    $42,750 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 220 hp @ 4500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$31,950- $49,500

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.35

Horsepower

220 hp @ 4500 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$38,195- $73,700

Gasoline

7.7

280 hp @ 5200 rpm

306 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,000- $50,000

Gasoline

8.03

190 hp @ 4200 rpm

236 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$69,700- $130,700

Gasoline

8.37

340 hp @ 5300 rpm

325 lb.-ft. @ 2900 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,650- $49,925

Gasoline

8.16

292 hp @ 5400 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 1900 rpm

5

Read Review

$71,900- $74,400

Gasoline

8.29

450 hp

406 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,900- $50,950

Gasoline

7.33

180 hp @ 5000 rpm

200 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

5

Read Review

$138,800

Gasoline

8.8

600 hp @ 5750 rpm

590 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$66,500- $98,250

Gasoline

8

425 hp @ 5500 rpm

406 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,895- $49,795

Gasoline

7.54

272 hp @ 5500 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Audi A3 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2018 Audi A3

    Ranked #12

    6.6 sec15.4 sec130 mph
    3.4 sec12.7 sec193 mph
    2018 BMW M3

    Ranked #2

    4.1 sec12.3 sec155 mph
    2018 Audi S6

    Ranked #3

    4.4 sec13.1 sec155 mph
    2018 Audi S3

    Ranked #4

    4.7 sec13.6 sec155 mph
    5 sec13.6 sec-

    2018 Audi A3 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2018 Audi A3

      Ranked #2

      26 mpg35 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.377/507.5 mi.
      2018 Audi A4

      Ranked #1

      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg15.3 gal.413.10/566.10 mi.
      24 mpg37 mpg29 mpg14.8 gal.355.2/547.6 mi.
      23 mpg35 mpg28 mpg15.8 gal.379.2/553 mi.
      25 mpg34 mpg28 mpg16.6 gal.348.6/498 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg15.3 gal.367.2/504.9 mi.

      2018 Audi A3 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2018 Audi A3

        Ranked #15

        175.5 in.70.7 in.55.7 in.6 in.103.8 in.
        206.7 in.74.9 in.58.7 in.5.3 in.126.4 in.
        2018 Audi A7

        Ranked #2

        196.2 in.75.2 in.55.9 in.4.4 in.114.7 in.
        2018 Audi S6

        Ranked #3

        194.4 in.73.8 in.56.8 in.5 in.114.8 in.
        194.1 in.73.4 in.58.2 in.8 in.112.2 in.
        189.6 in.71.8 in.57.2 in.5 in.112.2 in.

        2018 Audi A3 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2018 Audi A3

          Ranked #12

          12.3 cu.ft.125.6 cu.ft.8.2 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.218.9 cu.ft.
          10.4 cu.ft.91 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.
          2018 Audi A7

          Ranked #3

          24.5 cu.ft.127.3 cu.ft.97.1 cu.ft.
          15.4 cu.ft.96.5 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.
          14.7 cu.ft.91 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.

          2018 Audi A3 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2018 Audi A3

            Ranked #1

            15.4 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.8.2 cu.ft.67 ft.
            2018 Audi S6

            Ranked #2

            57.5 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.76 ft.
            20.8 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.-
            -13.1 cu.ft.--
            48.9 cu.ft.12.6 cu.ft.48.9 cu.ft.-
            98.2 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.67 ft.

            2018 Audi A3 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2018 Audi A3

              Ranked #2

              -1102 lbs.3197 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3739 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3373 lbs.
              -825 lbs.3583 lbs.
              --3472 lbs.
              2018 BMW M3

              Ranked #2

              -980 lbs.3540 lbs.

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