Better Value Than a Luxury SUV! (Audi A3 Sedan 2023 review)

The new Audi A3 sedan offers more kit for less money than a comparable SUV, so should you consider this entry-level premium car?

Time codes:
0:00 - Introduction
1:10 - Interior and Tech
5:15 - Back Seats
6:24 - Boot and Cargo Space
7:40 - Running Costs
9:23 - Driving Dynamics
14:28 - A3 Sedan Verdict

The new-generation Audi A3 small luxury car has been on sale in Australia for a few months. You can get a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre turbo 35 TFSI model, reviewed here in sedan form. It costs $49,600 before on-road costs. There is also an A3 Sportback hatch that is $2500 cheaper, and arguably more practical. Or, for $56,500 you can have an AWD A3 40 TFSI Quattro with 140kW.

The Audi A3 competes with the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and CLA, Cupra Leon and other premium small cars.

As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the Audi A3.

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[ronaldov]

Love my 8V A3. Bought the 1.8T Quattro, 4 years old, 45, 000kms, Mythos black paint and in immaculate con for only $21K (3 years ago). Added 19s with PS4s tires, rear swaybar and an APR ECU/DSG tune, an amazing car for the money. 0-100 under 6 secs, great steering feel, great interior, economical, great looks...love it.

[Ali-yjpl]

Man spare wheel should be mandatory on cars sold in Australia!

[jaysworld]

I like the way Audi is integrating the center console screens on most of their vehicles, like the A3. They actually put some thought into it versus just sticking a tablet on the dash (the A4 has to catch up in that category).

[andyz]

Tom you’re not the only one. I like the simple and bright look of beige colour and the spacious feeling it brings!

[malperalp]

I have been driving 40TFSI since June 2022 and it is a beast!!! I strongly recommend this option with Premium package.

[johnedds]

Thanks for a great review Tom; as a former owner of five Audis including an S3 this car is well equipped and would satisfy me. The absence of adaptive cruise is, for me a bonus. Cheers.

[almasalmas]

If Audi keep on making cars like this the looks of cars will be nice and many people will buy

[zaamuro]

Looks suprisingly good as a base model without the chrome.

[ubernoob]

Honestly, I still prefer the previous model. That interior was so, so well built. And no shitty touchscreen controls. All knobs…

[thekristianblack]

My A3 2024 standard is plenty in Canada. On the highway i have gotten 4.9L per 100km. Great car for the price point. Even drove it to FLORIDA from QC. Racing down the US east coast at 150KM keeping up with over 10000KM got 6.2L per 100. Love my A3

[paulkippax]

Interiors not so premium for a the $100k+ RS3 me thinks! Great review Tom, beige leather for me too.

[suhashaliyur]

Love your reviews as always! Is this the same 1.5TFSI as in the new Skoda Fabia?

[FlameMirage]

haha I love this format! I like when you tell us what you would recommend and not recommend! I agree, the red paint is not my taste for a premium car also :3
Keep up the great work team!

[samcas]

For first time in Audi’s history, the rear door cards are a lower plastic quality than the front, like a japanese or Korean econo car

[AdamBauer]

Makes the Mazda 6 Atenza look even better with more room and more luxurious with more safety features as standard for the same price essentially.

[gregdebbiebyrnes]

If you're looking at the hatch and can live with slightly less rear seat knee room, save yourself 10k and look at the new Fabia Monte Carlo. Same 1.5 EVO and 7sp DSG, same 4.9l/100 rated mileage (without the 'mild hybrid' complication), same boot volume, same driver assistance tech (plus ACC), decent size spare wheel, really nice interior design, solid build, standard 7 year warranty, and cheaper servicing. OK, no faux leather, but great cloth sports seats. No brainer.

[willyg]

I really am upset that Volvo no longer makes hatchbacks anymore.

[noyb-yb]

Yes, well my 2018 Audi S3 has been on a tow-truck back to the Audi dealer 4 times in 4.5 years since I bought it (actually 4 times in just last 2 years). Two times was cooling system related, two times was fuel-pump related. Every time the car was undriveable. I do not trust Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat brand for reliability and dependability. (We have two VW's in immediate family, both are quality-wise unsatisfactory too - avoid). It is a pity that all those new car tests cannot measure the reliability and quality. My Audi was great to drive for the first ~2 years since new and then it dived in following 2.5 years. To be fair - my Mercedes and BMW has also proven to be less than good, much more reliable than Audi but not good enough to be considered in future. No wonder the waiting queue for a Toyota, Kia and Hyundai is between 6-18 months long and yet you can buy new Audi, M-B and BMW with almost immediate delivery. Changing of the guard.

[SMYL-LA]

Between Audi A3 and Cadillac ST5 which one is better?

[stephenhunt]

Good review Tom. Out of interest, I noted you parked the car in.the middle off the road across the double line. Seems a strange place to park. Was that a closed off road?