• Audi A3

Audi A3

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Rs.29.21 - 32.21 Lakh*
This car model has discontinued

Key Specs of Audi A3

Engine1395 cc - 1968 cc
Power143 - 150 bhp
TransmissionAutomatic
Top Speed222 Kmph kmph
Drive TypeFWD
FuelDiesel / Petrol
Seating Capacity5
  • Powered Front Seats
  • Drive Modes
  • Key Specifications
  • Top Features

Explore Price of A3 Alternatives

Audi A3 price list (Variants)

A3 35 TFSI Premium Plus(Base Model)1395 cc, Automatic, Petrol, 19.2 kmplDISCONTINUEDRs.29.21 Lakh* 
A3 35 TDI Premium Plus(Base Model)1968 cc, Automatic, Diesel, 20.38 kmplDISCONTINUEDRs.30.21 Lakh* 
A3 35 TFSI1395 cc, Automatic, Petrol, 19.8 kmplDISCONTINUEDRs.30.50 Lakh* 
A3 35 TFSI Technology(Top Model)1395 cc, Automatic, Petrol, 19.2 kmplDISCONTINUEDRs.31.21 Lakh* 
A3 35 TDI Technology(Top Model)1968 cc, Automatic, Diesel, 20.38 kmplDISCONTINUEDRs.32.21 Lakh* 
View All Variants

Audi A3 Review

The Audi A3 is the German carmaker’s most affordable sedan. While it was available only as a hatchback in its previous two generations, the current global range includes a hatchback, sportback, cabriolet and of course, the sedan.

For many people, the A3 is a car that could be their very first purchase from a luxury car brand like Audi. Apart from directly rivaling the Mercedes-Benz CLA, its pricing puts in the same league as executive sedans like the Skoda Superb and Toyota Camry. Can it meet your needs?

Exterior

The new A3 retains its compact size (length = 4,456mm i.e. shorter than even the Maruti Ciaz) and classy design, but with a few minor changes, looks fresher. It’d take a keen eye to point out the differences, but put the old car and facelift side-by-side and you will find that the latter looks more futuristic.

The chrome outlined front grille is now hexagonal and gets a sharper set of headlamps on either side. Additionally, like the recently updated CLA, the A3 can be had with full-LED headlights, while bi-xenon headlamps will be offered as standard. The front bumper is more chiseled too and sports a slimmer set of air vents.

The side profile appears no different, but look closely and you notice that the 16-inch wheels feature a slightly different and sportier design. Additionally, the engine badging on the front fender has been skipped. Over to the rear, the tail lights have the same shape, but the internal detailing is new and you get, what Audi likes to call, a three-dimensional effect. What’s more is that the A3’s rear lights get dynamic indicators, which look quite cool in action.

Exterior Comparison

Mercedes-Benz CLA
Length (mm)4630mm
Width (mm)1777 mm
Height (mm)1432mm
Ground Clearance (mm)160mm
Wheel Base (mm)2699mm
Kerb Weight (kg)1570kg
 

Boot Space Comparison

Audi A3
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Volume--

Interior

On the inside, the cabin is largely the same. What you do get, though, is a new three-spoke steering wheel that feels great to grip and looks like the same unit you get in the Audi R8! It is adjustable for both rake and reach, and finding a good driving position is easy.

The instrument cluster still has the classic analogue dials with Multi Information Display in the middle layout. You don’t get the A4’s virtual cockpit, but the setup is very easy to read and displays a good amount of information, including turn-by-turn directions of the navigation system on the multi-information display.

The overall quality is impeccable, though the CLA’s trim quality has a slight upper hand and the Mercedes offers a better rear camera, too. However, the A3 gets features like dual-zone climate control, rear AC vents and front/rear parking sensors, all of which, the CLA misses out on. Other features available include a panoramic sunroof, Milano leather upholstery and the Audi Phone Box i.e. an inductive charger for your cellphone.

Additionally, the A3 offers decent cabin space for a compact luxury car. No, two six-footers cannot sit one behind the other and seating three at the rear is too much of a squeeze, but four average-heighted adults can be accommodated.

Also, not only is the overall headroom better than its rival, the CLA’s; unlike the Mercedes, the spare wheel (space-saver) sits under the boot floor. This makes the 425-litre boot genuinely usable and the loading-mouth is wider too.

Safety

As you’d expect, the A3 comes with a big list of safety features, including 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, anti-skid regulation, traction control, electronic stability control and an electronic limited-slip differential.

Safety Comparison

Mercedes-Benz CLA
Anti-Lock Braking SystemStandard
Central LockingStandard
Power Door LocksStandard
Child Safety LocksStandard
Anti-Theft AlarmNot Available
No of Airbags-
Day & Night Rear View MirrorNot Available

Performance

The biggest change in the Audi A3 facelift is its new petrol engine. The motor is shared with the new Audi A4 and is a smaller, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol unit (earlier 1.8-litre). The smaller displacement has resulted in a loss of power as it makes 150PS of power (a drop of 30PS), but the peak torque remains the same at 250Nm.

On the downside, the A3 petrol now completes the 0-100kmph sprint in 8.2 seconds (earlier 7.3 seconds), which is slower, but not by much. On the plus-side, the claimed fuel efficiency figure goes up from 16.60kmpl to a whopping 19.20kmpl!

What’s really amazing is how refined this engine is, especially when compared to the CLA 200. Start-up the car, and you really have to focus to hear the engine actually running. The motor is butter-smooth, and only gets vocal when you rev it hard.

The ‘35 TFSI’ powerplant is perfect for city driving, as it is very sensitive to throttle inputs, while the 7-speed DSG transmission offers eerily smooth gear changes when you go easy on the accelerator. Even when you slam the pedal, the transmission is lightning-quick, yet, never jerky. The only thing missing are paddle-shifters, which is really quite unfortunate, since the powertrain is quite engaging to use.

It does feel strained around 5,000rpm and above, but offers good punch for quick overtakes. Additionally, with the 7-speed transmission, it works nicely as a highway cruiser too. At 100kmph, the engine is hovering just under 2,000rpm, which will result in a longer travel range from the 50-litre fuel tank. This engine also features cylinder-deactivation, so whenever possible, the car runs on two cylinders out of four to improve efficiency, and runs on all four when the performance is required.

Performance Comparison (Petrol)

Mercedes-Benz CLA
Power183bhp@5500rpm
Torque (Nm)300Nm@1200-4000rpm
Engine Displacement (cc)1991 cc
TransmissionAutomatic
Top Speed (kmph)235 Kmph
0-100 Acceleration (sec)7.8 Seconds
Kerb Weight (kg)1510kg
Fuel Efficiency (ARAI)15.04kmpl
Power Weight Ratio121.1bhp/ton

Diesel

The 2.0-litre diesel engine has been carried over as is, and produces 143PS of power and 320Nm of torque. While the petrol is super-silent, the diesel is audible. There is a small amount of vibration that can be felt while idling, but things smoothen out on the move.

You need to merely nudge the accelerator pedal in the diesel to get going. While the engine is quite free-revving, there’s no need to push it beyond 3,500rpm because that’s where the engine starts to feel strained. Thanks to the oodles of low-end torque available from just 1,750rpm, the diesel is a great cruiser, while the six-speed automatic transmission offers smooth and quick gear changes.

At 100kmph, the diesel too sits at just under 2,000rpm in 6th gear. With a claimed fuel economy of 20.38kmpl, the diesel A3 is only marginally more efficient than the petrol, but that’s still quite frugal.

Performance Comparison (Diesel)

Audi A3Mercedes-Benz CLA
Power143bhp@3500-4000rpm136bhp@3600-4400rpm
Torque (Nm)320Nm@1750-3000rpm300Nm@1600-3000rpm
Engine Displacement (cc)1968 cc2143 cc
TransmissionAutomaticAutomatic
Top Speed (kmph)215 kmph220 Kmph
0-100 Acceleration (sec)8.6 Seconds9.8 Seconds
Kerb Weight (kg)1490Kg1570kg
Fuel Efficiency (ARAI)20.38kmpl17.9kmpl
Power Weight Ratio-86.62bhp/ton
 

Ride and Handling

The A3’s ride quality is comfortable and suspension is quite silent too. Over smooth or undulating roads, the car feels planted and small bumps or potholes are brushed off with ease. It can even go through broken patches at decent speeds and neither the front nor the rear passengers will have any complaints.

The handling, however, is a mixed bag. While the suspension and chassis have been well-tuned and make the A3 quite stable, the steering is devoid of feedback and leaves you guessing. The A3 is not a car for chauffeur-driven owners, so the steering could have been more communicative and direct. However, at city speeds, it is one-finger-light and zipping through even narrow and crowded markets is a breeze.

Luxury Factor

The A3 comes with the option of a sporty all-black interior or a black-beige dual tone that makes the cabin feel a little airier. The fit and finish quality is top-notch and feels just as good as it is in more expensive Audis like the A4.  The seats are draped in Milano leather upholstery and are very supportive, even for people with large builds.

The number of buttons on the centre console is limited and the few switches used are of a premium quality. While there aren’t any soft touch plastics, the trim feels premium and everything is laid out in an easy to use manner.

Technology

The Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system has been updated and now features a better display. It isn’t a touchscreen, so you use the dial behind the gear-lever to shuffle between its functions. These functions include navigation, telephony, car settings and the entertainment system, among others. Features like the phonebook and navigation can be operated by voice commands too.

So if you’re looking for a petrol pump, you can hit the button and say, “I need fuel”, and the MMI display shows you the closest options. It’s quite intuitive and understands Indian accents easily. A nice touch is the fact that the display retracts into the dashboard, so if you just want to keep your eyes on the road, the screen can be hidden away with the touch of a button.

The A3 comes with a 180W music system, and the sound quality is clear and crisp.

Verdict

The Audi A3’s facelift adds some substantial new updates, the biggest of which, is the new petrol engine. Not only is it good to drive, it’s efficient too. With buyers deviating from diesel engines, this motor is exactly what could tip the scales in favour of the Audi A3. However, while the new design is more handsome and benefits from Audi’s lighting systems, it’s still understated and not as attention-grabbing as the CLA’s exterior. This could be a disadvantage since the young buyers the A3 is targeted at generally like flamboyant designs. Buyer preference notwithstanding, the new Audi A3 makes a very strong case to consider.

Features like the sunroof and 7 airbags now come as standard, the petrol variant is now available in the fully-loaded Technology variant as well, and while the top-end diesel costs a meagre Rs 15,000 more, the Premium Plus diesel is cheaper by a healthy Rs 60,000! With prices starting at Rs 30.50 lakh and going up to Rs 35.80 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the A3 facelift is an even better deal than before.

Pros & Cons of Audi A3

Things We Like

  • Premium interior with great fit and finish quality.
  • Long list of features – LED headlights and tail lights, dynamic turn indicators, Audi Multi-Media Interface, panoramic sunroof etc.
  • Both engines are fuel-efficient and offer adequate performance.
  • Classy, understated design and rock solid build quality.

Things We Don't Like

  • Cabin space, while better than its rival, the Mercedes CLA’s, is quite limited for the price.
  • No paddle-shifters offered.
  • Dummy buttons on centre console and passenger doors look ungainly.
CarDekho Experts:
Audi has added some substantial updates to the A3, the biggest one of which, is the new petrol engine.

Stand Out Features

  • Audi A3 LED headlights and dynamic rear turn indicators.

    LED headlights and dynamic rear turn indicators.

  • Audi A3 Flip-down rear seat.

    Flip-down rear seat.

  • Audi A3 Retractable Audi Multi-Media Interface with voice commands.

    Retractable Audi Multi-Media Interface with voice commands.

Specification of Audi A3

ARAI Mileage20.38 kmpl
Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine Displacement1968 cc
No. of Cylinders4
Max Power143bhp@3500-4000rpm
Max Torque320Nm@1750-3000rpm
Seating Capacity5
Transmission TypeAutomatic
Fuel Tank Capacity50 Litres
Body TypeSedan
Ground Clearance Unladen165mm mm

Audi A3 Car News & Updates

  • Latest News
  • Must Read Articles
  • Audi A3 Petrol: Detailed Review

    The petrol A3 puts efficiency over performance. Has the bargain paid off or is there a deal breaking compromise?

    By TusharApr 13, 2017

Audi A3 User Reviews

4.7/5
Based on34 User reviews
  • All (34)
  • Looks (8)
  • Comfort (14)
  • Mileage (2)
  • Engine (5)
  • Interior (5)
  • Space (5)
  • Price (4)
  • More ...
  • LATEST
  • HELPFUL
  • VERIFIED
  • CRITICAL
  • Comfortable car

    The car has unparalleled comfort and has great power output. The car has advance technologies incorp...Read More

    By vijay gamadha
    On: Mar 13, 2020 | 66 Views
  • Goodness Of AUDI

    It's all the model looks are very good. It has a mysterious car in the world. All the function of th...Read More

    By brijesh chaurasiya
    On: Mar 03, 2020 | 73 Views
  • Best Car.

    Best comfort, classic look, good quality of material used, service cost is also low. The best car fo...Read More

    By rajan
    On: Jan 28, 2020 | 106 Views
  • Best Car.

    It is the best car among luxurious cars, all its features are attractive.

    By hemant prajapati
    On: Jan 07, 2020 | 44 Views
  • Budget friendly luxury car!

    Best budget luxury car! Pride to ride it on roads especially in Lucknow. Features are best in the bu...Read More

    By aryan verma
    On: Dec 16, 2019 | 156 Views
  • View All A3 Reviews

Audi A3 Car Latest Update

Audi A3 Variants & Price: The Audi A3 is available in two variants: Premium Plus and Technology, priced from Rs 28.99 lakh to 31.99 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India).

Audi A3 Engines: The A3 comes with a 1.4-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol engine that makes 150PS of power and 250Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and returns a certified fuel efficiency of 19.2kmpl. The diesel version gets a 2.0-litre unit that generates 143PS and 320Nm. It is coupled to a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission and has a claimed fuel economy figure of 20.38kmpl.

Audi A3 Features:  The A3 gets seven airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, LED headlamps, panoramic sunroof, two zone climate control with rear AC vents and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Audi A3 Rivals: The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the only rival the A3 has in the Indian market.

Read More

Audi A3 Mileage

The claimed ARAI mileage for the automatic variants: Audi A3 Diesel is 20.38 kmpl . Audi A3 Petrol variant has a mileage of 19.8 kmpl.

Read More
Fuel TypeTransmissionARAI Mileage
DieselAutomatic20.38 kmpl
PetrolAutomatic19.8 kmpl
Found what you were looking for?

Audi A3 Road Test

  • Audi A3 Petrol: Detailed Review

    The petrol A3 puts efficiency over performance. Has the bargain paid off or is there a deal breaking compromise?

    By TusharApr 13, 2017
  • 2017 Audi A3: First Drive Review

    Audi’s baby-sedan gets some substantial updates for what is supposed to be just a mid-life refresh  

    By TusharFeb 18, 2017
  • Audi A3 Expert Review

    Audi India is the largest luxury car maker at the moment, as it became the first automaker to cross the 10,000 units mark in this range of manufacturers. While competition is introducing higher-end cars, Audi becomes the first automaker to introduce a compact sedan for our market. The Ingolstadt-bas

    By RahulJul 16, 2014
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Questions & Answers

  • Latest Questions

What is the Audi A3 oil chamber price?

Mohan asked on 25 May 2020

For this, we would suggest you walk into the nearest authorized service centre a...

Read More
By CarDekho Experts on 25 May 2020

Is Audi A3 BS4 or BS6?

Pubg asked on 4 Apr 2020

Audi A3 is still runs on BS4 compliant engine.

By CarDekho Experts on 4 Apr 2020

Does Audi A3 has pedal shifts?

Dhruv asked on 1 Apr 2020

Audi A3 is not equipped with Steering Wheel Gearshift Paddles.

By CarDekho Experts on 1 Apr 2020

Any old model of Audi A3 available at showroom?

Prahalad asked on 18 Feb 2020

For the availability, we would suggest you walk into the nearest dealership as t...

Read More
By CarDekho Experts on 18 Feb 2020

Can I travel 2400 km in Audi A3?

Aritra asked on 26 Jan 2020

Yes, the Audi A3 diesel would be a suitable car for long distance drive. The car...

Read More
By CarDekho Experts on 26 Jan 2020

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