Audi A3 Saloon Review 2024

The Audi A3 Saloon occupies a relatively niche position, given the UK’s obsession with hatchbacks and SUVs. It means this compact saloon will remain a rare choice, as most buyers go for the Audi A3 Sportback hatchback instead. However, the Audi A3 Saloon offers good value, with the dynamic ability and premium badge to challenge the Mercedes A-Class Saloon and another German contender, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Read on for our Audi A3 Saloon review.

This is Audi’s smallest saloon car, combining compact dimensions with the traditional styling of a four-door. Buyers may flock to the firm’s Sportback models, but doing so ignores the handsome styling and impressive driving manners of the Audi A3 Saloon.

Compared to the Audi A3 Sportback, the Audi A3 Saloon is 150mm longer. This places it squarely in competition with the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes A-Class Saloon. It sits beneath the larger Audi A4 saloon in the German company’s extensive range.

Opting for the Audi A3 Saloon over the Sportback does mean a degree of compromise on practicality – necessary to allow its svelte styling.

Although overall luggage capacity is actually greater than the Audi A3 Sportback can offer, a smaller boot opening means the Audi A3 Saloon is less useful, particularly when it comes to carrying bulky items.

Rear headroom is also reduced, thanks to the sloping roofline of the Audi A3 Saloon.

In terms of the driving experience, Audi has created a genuinely engaging compact car. The steering delivers just enough feel and precision to make it interesting to drive, while strong body control keeps the Audi A3 Saloon stable when cornering.

Audi A3 Saloon S line or Audi A3 Saloon Black Edition models gain lowered sports suspension with stiffer dampers. These make the ride feel firmer, especially on Audi A3 Saloon Black Edition cars with their 19-inch alloy wheels, but never to the point of being intolerable.

Since the Audi A3 Saloon was launched, the engine range has been reduced to just two petrols and one diesel. All of these are impressive in their fuel efficiency, and will make the Audi A3 Saloon an affordable option for private drivers or fleet users alike.

Both the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines can achieve more than 50mpg, while the 2.0-litre diesel can top 60mpg.

The latter is also the fastest Audi A3 Saloon, with 150PS and ample mid-range torque helping it accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds. For those doing a larger monthly mileage, the diesel will make lots of sense.

All versions of the Audi A3 Saloon come with front-wheel drive – i.e. there’s no option of quattro all-wheel drive. The two petrol engines are offered with a six-speed manual transmission, or the option of a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox. The diesel is auto only.

For those who want more performance, the Audi S3 Saloon offers 310PS and quattro all-wheel drive as standard. This makes for rapid progress, although it will be much more expensive to run than a regular Audi A3 Saloon.

There’s also the full-fat Audi RS3, with a 406PS five-cylinder engine for serious speed and a great soundtrack.

Choosing the regular Audi A3 Saloon requires only a small premium over the equivalent Audi A3 Sportback version. There is also a high level of standard specification across the range, with even the entry-level Audi A3 Saloon Sport version well equipped.

Features such as dual-zone climate control, LED headlights and sports seats are found on all versions. There is also a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument panel and satellite navigation.

Although most buyers will still choose the Audi A3 Sportback, the Audi A3 Saloon is an appealing option for those who prefer the look of a traditional four-door car.

The front of the Audi A3 Saloon has more than adequate space for adults, thanks to sports seats that offer plenty of adjustment.

Although the car’s dashboard looks modern, it falls short for stowage space. There is a pair of cupholders, along with room in the centre console for smaller items.

Space in the back seats will be fine for adults on shorter journeys, but only children are likely to tolerate them on longer trips. Headroom, in particular, is reduced versus the Audi A3 Sportback, thanks to the Audi A3 Saloon’s sloping roofline.

Opening the Audi A3 Saloon’s boot reveals a luggage capacity of 425 litres. However, the narrow boot opening of the Audi A3 Saloon makes it less suited to carrying bulky objects.

The rear bench does at least split 60:40 and fold down, allowing longer items to be transported.

The Audi’s boot is similar to the 430-litre capacity of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, and the 420 litres found in the Mercedes A-Class Saloon.

The Audi A3 has always felt more premium than the related Volkswagen Golf, but this latest version is less impressive than its predecessors.

Materials used for details such as the leading edge of the dashboard, or the air vents flanking the instrument panel, feel cheap to the touch.

This also applies if you look lower down inside the cabin, or around the centre console, with evidence that Audi has tried to reduce costs. But it’s worth pointing out that the same is true in a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Mercedes A-Class Saloon.

At least the the standard Virtual Cockpit instrument panel, and angular design, ensure the Audi A3 Saloon looks thoroughly modern.

All versions of the Audi A3 Saloon come equipped with a 10.1-inch MMI Navigation multimedia touchscreen.

The graphics used are sharp and bold, but the controls rely on making use of the touchscreen itself. The Mercedes A-Class Saloon and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe also offer, respectively, a touchpad or a rotary controller.

Unlike some other models within the Volkswagen Group, though, Audi has included physical buttons for adjusting the climate control. This avoids having to dive into various touchscreen menus just to change the temperature or fan speed.

The Audi A3 Saloon is also fitted with a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel. This offers a range of customisable views, and allows drivers to swap between ‘Classic’ or ‘Sport’ display styles.

Standard infotainment features include satellite navigation, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and two USB-C connections. Amazon Alexa integration and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity are included, too.

At the time of writing, prices for the Audi A3 Saloon start at just over £28,000, making it around £500 more expensive than an equivalent Audi A3 Sportback model.

This starting price will net buyers an Audi A3 Saloon in Sport trim, powered by the 30 TFSI 1.0-litre engine.

It makes the Audi A3 Saloon cheaper than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is priced from a little over £30,500. The Audi substantially undercuts the £32,500 Mercedes A-Class saloon, too.

Moving up the model range, choosing S line trim requires at least £30,700, while a Black Edition costs from around £34,000.

All of these prices are without options included, of course.

The Audi A3 Saloon has been designed with one eye on running costs, and this is reflected in the efficient range of engines on offer.

The 30 TFSI 1.0-litre petrol is the starting point for the Audi A3 Saloon range, and it does not disappoint when it comes to economy.

In entry-level Sport specification, the 30 TFSI engine can return up to 51.4mpg with a manual transmission. Opting for the S tronic automatic gearbox improves this, quite significantly, to a potential 56.5mpg.

As the mid-range choice for the Audi A3 Saloon, the 35 TFSI 1.5-litre petrol engine is likely to be a big seller. The extra performance from its 150PS output comes with only a minor fuel economy penalty. The manual-equipped version is capable of 50.4mpg, while the S tronic records 51.4mpg.

For maximum fuel economy, the 35 TDI 2.0-litre diesel is ideal for those who cover larger mileages. It comes with the S tronic auto transmission as standard, and can officially average up to 62.8mpg.

When it comes to insurance costs, the Audi A3 Saloon should be relatively affordable. The Sport 30 TFSI model is placed in group 15 (out of 50), with the 35 TFSI version in group 20.

Moving up to the 35 TDI will see the Audi A3 Saloon ranked in insurance group 22.

The Audi A3 Saloon is supplied with a standard three-year or 60,000-mile warranty. Compared to the cover offered by other – arguably less premium – car brands, this seems rather ungenerous.

The warranty period can be increased to four years or five years for an additional cost, though.

The Audi A3 Saloon has a mature image, and the driving experience reflects that. Everything feels well calibrated and refined. Whether you’re trawling the UK’s motorways or tackling country roads, it can be genuinely enjoyable.

The Audi A3 Saloon’s steering feels direct and precise, making it easy to position on the road. A BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offers a touch more steering feedback and sporting character, but this is unlikely to bother most drivers.

Trim levels do affect how the Audi A3 Saloon handles and rides, with S line versions gaining a stiffer sports suspension set-up. This improves the car’s cornering ability, but does come at the cost of making the ride firmer.

Audi A3 Saloon S line cars are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, while Audi A3 Saloon Black Edition models have 19-inch items. The latter make the ride noticeably busier, albeit never to the point of being truly uncomfortable.

Those who want maximum ride comfort should stick to the Audi A3 Saloon Sport, with its 17-inch wheels.

The Audi A3 Saloon engine range has been reduced to two petrol engines and one diesel. All versions come in front-wheel-drive format, with no all-wheel-drive option.

The Audi A3 Saloon range kicks off with the 30 TFSI petrol, which uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. With 110PS, it makes for smooth and steady performance, and 0-62mph takes 10.6 seconds.

Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto, with the latter suiting the 30 TFSI just as well.

Next in the Audi A3 Saloon range is the 35 TFSI petrol. An upgrade to a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine brings 150PS and a noticeable boost in performance.

The 0-62mph time drops to 8.7 seconds, making the 35 TFSI feel noticeably quicker on the road.

The sole remaining diesel in the Audi A3 Saloon range is the 35 TDI. This makes use of the time-served 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, here producing 150PS.

Its extra torque actually makes this the quickest Audi A3 Saloon, with 0-62mph taking just 8.3 seconds. Audi’s S tronic transmission is fitted as standard.

Unlike the Audi A3 Sportback, there is no plug-in hybrid version of the Audi A3 Saloon. The 40 TFSI-e hybrid option sees buyers limited to the hatchback model only, despite its potential appeal for company car drivers.

The Audi A3 Saloon was previously offered with a 190PS 40 2.0 TFSI petrol engine, along with a 200PS 40 2.0 TDI diesel – both with quattro all-wheel drive. Both have now been discontinued.

The Audi A3 Saloon is a very safe car, as demonstrated by the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test score.

Helping this is a healthy amount of standard safety equipment, such as Audi Pre-Sense Front, which includes autonomous braking.

Other driver safety aids fitted as standard include lane departure warning, collision avoidance assistance and dynamic road sign recognition.

Although an Audi A3 Saloon may not be your first choice when it comes to towing, it’s still up to the job of pulling a light trailer or caravan.

The 35 TDI is likely to be the best version of the Audi A3 Saloon here, thanks to the extra torque from its diesel engine. It can pull a braked trailer of up to 1800kg, giving you all the luggage you could ever need.

The Audi A3 Saloon is now offered in a choice of three different trim levels. The previous range-topping Audi A3 Saloon Vorsprung is no longer available.

Audi A3 Saloon Sport cars come with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, and Sport styling details.

The latter include a front grille in anthracite black, a front spoiler blade in silver and matt black for other exterior trim. The exterior mirrors fold electrically, and they automatically dim on both sides.

Inside, the Audi A3 Saloon Sport comes with sports seats finished in Routine cloth trim. The front chairs feature four-way lumbar adjustment and integrated headrests.

Silk-effect paint in platinum grey is used for the trim inlays, while the steering wheel is finished in leather and comes with 12 multifunction buttons.

Other interior highlights include dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, a frameless mirror and front door sill trims in aluminium.

All Audi A3 Saloons come with a 10.1-inch multimedia system that features satellite navigation, DAB radio, Amazon Alexa integration and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Standard safety technology includes cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking and rear parking sensors.

Moving up to the Audi A3 Saloon S line specification sees the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, along with sports suspension lowered by 15mm.

Along with LED headlights, S line cars have rear lights upgraded to LED units. There’s a titanium grey look for the front grille, with other elements given a body-coloured finish.

Sports seats are upholstered in Twin Leather, with S line logos embossed on the front pair. The headlining is black, and you’ll find stainless steel pedals and illuminated door sill inserts. Dark spectrum aluminium is used for the dashboard inserts, with platinum grey silk-effect paint finish on the centre console.

Topping the range is the Audi A3 Saloon Black Edition. This benefits from 19-inch alloy wheels and a special black styling pack that includes the Audi logo rings on the front grille, plus all the exterior trim.

Black Edition specification also adds a flat-bottomed steering wheel, with S tronic versions equipped with gear shift paddles.