Audi A3 used cars for sale

Audi A3 buying guide

What Audi A3 trim levels are there?

The following information is for the 2020-onward Audi A3. There are 3 main trim levels for the A3: Technik, Sport and S Line, plus 2 high-end special editions called Edition 1 and Vorsprung. 

Technik may be the entry-level version, but it still comes packed with tech. You get an all-digital dashboard screen plus a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels as well as a suite of safety kit including lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking.

Step up to Sport and you get all the same kit as Technik, with the addition of 17-inch alloy wheels, two-zone climate control and leather upholstery. There are some sportier front and rear bumpers – but you’d have to park a Sport car next to a Technik one to really tell them apart.

Finally there’s S Line – these models get yet bigger 19-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights with those eye-catching ‘sweeping’ indicators, tinted rear windows and some ‘S’ badges inside.

Over the years there have been two high-end trim levels for the A3: Edition 1 and Vorsprung. Edition 1 cars added some black exterior styling bits, fancier Matrix LED headlights (which block out oncoming cars from your beam to avoid dazzling them), suede-like Alcantara front seats, plus 30-colour interior lighting.

Vorsprung cars take things a stage further, adding a panoramic sunroof, electric-opening boot, plus fine Nappa leather front sports seats. There’s also an upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system, a wireless charging mat and a head-up display so you can see your speed and local speed limit info in the windscreen.

Audi A3 interior and technology

Step inside the latest Audi A3 and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in a £50,000 executive limo, not a £22,000 family hatch. The combination of the digital driver’s display and pin-sharp infotainment screen really makes the latest A3 feel as if it’s a car for the TikTok era. The materials throughout the cabin all feel plush and posh too, and it’s hard not to feel impressed when you’re sitting behind the wheel.

The infotainment system itself (which Audi calls MMI touch) is simple to use, and it’s neatly embedded in the dashboard and not hovering there like a stuck-on iPad. Pick an automatic version of the A3 and you’ll get a small switch to change gears with, leaving you more room for your drinks in the cupholders.

Rear-seat room is pretty good for a hatchback – tall adults will be ok for shorter trips, and kids should be just fine. The saloon version does have a slightly lower roof in the back, and the convertible’s rear seats are quite tight in terms of knee-room, and your back-seat passengers will likely feel claustrophobic on long journeys with the roof up.

Boot space is decent on the A3 Sportback and A3 Saloon, but the convertible’s roof takes up a lot of boot space when it’s folded down.

Audi A1 vs Audi A3 – which is best?

Audi A3 engine range explained

Audi A3 35 TFSI - most popular!

Audi’s engine naming conventions are ambiguous, but TFSI means petrol and TDI means diesel, and as the number goes up and down, so does the power. The 35 TFSI is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with 150hp. It’s more than fast enough for daily driving with a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds, plus it’s capable of decent fuel economy – you’ll get around 45mpg on a steady run.

Audi A3 30 TFSI

The A3 30 TFSI is another petrol, this time it’s a 110hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. That might sound a bit puny, but its turbocharged torque means it’s actually perfectly powerful enough, even at motorway speeds. It won’t set any acceleration records, taking 10.6 seconds from 0-62mph, but a potential 54mpg isn’t to be sniffed at.

Audi A3 35 TDI

If you do lots of long distances and motorway miles, you might want to consider the 35 TDI. it’s a 2.0-litre diesel engine with 150hp and it’s actually faster accelerating than either of the petrol engines above – it takes 8.3 seconds to 62mph, not that we condone drag-racing your family hatchback. It has lots of low-down shove and can get a sniff over 60mpg if you’re careful with your right foot.

Audi A3 40 TFSI e

The 40 TFSI e is a plug-in hybrid meaning it can travel up to 37 miles on pure electric power, and it’s pretty fast too, thanks to 245hp from its combination of an electric motor and a 1.4-litre petrol engine. It’ll dash from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, but it is noticeably more expensive than the regular petrol and diesel A3 line-up.