2019 Audi A3 Sedan

Apr 14, 2024, 1:10pm ET

The compact A3 Sedan is the smallest and least expensive member of Audi's North American lineup. It aims to deliver buyers a more compact alternative to the A4 while retaining a traditional four-door body style preferred by American drivers. Buyers after a sportier driving experience can opt for the S3 or the range-topping RS 3.

Recent changes

For the latest model year, Audi updated the A3 with more features -- including a phone box with a wireless charger and a signal booster -- and additional convenience features on upmarket trim levels.

Overview

Stretching 175.5 inches long, 70 inches wide and 55.7 inches tall, the A3 Sedan looks like a shrunken A4 when viewed from the outside. It wears an aggressive look defined by sharp headlights, lightly sculpted flanks, pronounced wheel arches, a discreet spoiler integrated into the rear hatch and triangular tail lamps.

The A3 benefits from Audi's expertise in the field of lightweight construction and the lightest version tips the scale at just 2,755 pounds thanks to a body made largely of hot-formed steel and an aluminum hood. It shares its modular MQB platform with the Europe-only A3 hatchback and several other Volkswagen products including the seventh-gen Golf.

Life aboard

The A3 Sedan is fitted with a clean, uncluttered dashboard that puts a strong emphasis on function. The highlights include understated styling elements such as chrome-ringed air vents and a simple instrument cluster made up of four analog gauges.

The smallest member of the Audi family can carry five adults and up to 15 cubic feet of cargo.

The A3 Sedan can be ordered with Audi's MMI infotainment system at an extra cost. MMI groups the car's entertainment, connectivity and navigation (if equipped) functions into single operating system controlled by either a knob and a series of buttons found on the center console or a voice recognition function. The centerpiece of the system is a high-definition color screen mounted on top of the dashboard.

Another notable high-tech feature offered on the A3 Sedan is Audi connect, a software that provides a Wi-Fi connection and lets passengers find places of interest, travel information, weather reports, fuel prices and even access satellite images from Google Earth.

Under the hood

The A3 comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque, enabling a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.8 seconds. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Standard and optional features

Audi offers the A3 Sedan in three trim levels: Premium, Premium plus and Prestige.

Premium comes standard with leather upholstery, a multi-function steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, a 12-way power driver's seat, a ten-speaker stereo system, a driver information system integrated into the instrument cluster, a 90-day trial subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a SD card slot, automatic wipers and headlights, Xenon headlights, LED tail lamps, power mirrors, parking sensors, a rear-view camera and heated mirrors/washer nozzles.

Stepping up to Premium plus adds automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 12-way adjustable passenger seat, iPod integration as well as keyless start, stop and entry.

Prestige builds upon the first two trims with S line exterior trim, navigation, Audi Connect, an upgraded sound system built by Bang & Olufsen and LED headlights.

Optional equipment

A3 premium customers can select a cold weather package, an aluminum trim package and a navigation/infotainment bundle.

Selecting Premium Plus allows buyers to choose from more extras, including the Driver Assistance Package with rearview camera and park assist, an upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system and a Convenience Package with heated, power-adjustable front seats and park assist. Of note, the navigation system is bundled with Audi Connect on the Premium plus.

Finally, the A3 Prestige can be further upgraded with adaptive cruise control, Audi pre sense front and active lane assist, and with a Sport Package that groups sport seats, a unique steering wheel and selectable driving modes.

Occupant safety

All A3 Sedans regardless of trim level and engine come standard with driver and front passenger airbags, knee airbags as well as front and rear side and head curtain airbags.

The list of electronic driving aids includes Multi-Collision Brake (MCB), traction control (ASR), electronic stability control (ESC) and Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD).

Key competitors

The A3 Sedan's arch rival in terms of price, performance and image is the Mercedes-Benz CLA.