What's New
The 2023 Audi A3 family is off of a fresh redesign and sees only minor changes to its standard and optional package contents. Full LED headlights and upgraded door materials are now included and adaptive cruise control and a wireless charger are offered on the base trim.
Choosing Your Audi A3
Audi’s entry offering is offered in three sporty flavors, the A3, S3, and RS 3. The A3 is offered in Premium 40 and Premium Plus 40, while the S3 is additionally offered in Prestige trim. Prices for the A3 and S3 range from $35,995 to $53,895. The RS 3 is offered on one trim and is priced at $59,995.
While the A3 is similar to the 2022 model, dealer inventories are currently low and it may be easier to order a 2023 model instead.
Engine Choices
There are three engines offered across the lineup that accompany each of the models while they are all equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. The A3 features a mild-hybrid system that helps provide better off-the-line acceleration and enables engine-off coasting.
Model | Engine | Power | Drivetrain | Overall Fuel Economy |
A3 | Turbo 2.0-liter four-cyl mild hybrid | 201 hp / 221 lb-ft | FWD | 32 mpg (AWD gets 30) |
S3 | Turbo 2.0-liter four-cyl | 306 hp / 295 lb-ft | AWD | 26 mpg |
RS 3 | Turbo 2.5-liter five-cyl | 401 hp / 369 lb-ft | AWD with torque-vectoring, drift mode | 23 mpg |
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The A3 seats five and is 176.9 inches long which is a touch longer than the Audi Q3 but a couple of inches shy of the BMW 2-Series and soon-to-be-discontinued Mercedes A-Class. Its back seat offers 35.5 inches of legroom and 36.6 inches of headroom which isn’t very spacious but typical for this class as is its 10.9 cubic feet of trunk space.
Safety Features
The A3 features a basic level of active safety equipment. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams are standard while adaptive cruise control is available through a Features on Demand one-time purchase program and blind-spot alert with rear cross-traffic detection and park assist are included in the Convenience Package. Those features are standard on the Premium Plus trim. The Technology Package of the Premium Plus trim adds traffic sign recognition.
Connectivity
The A3 includes a 10.1-inch infotainment display that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM and a wireless charging pad are found within the Convenience Package and a Bang & Olufsen sound system is offered in the A3’s Premium Plus trim’s Technology Package.
2023 Audi A3 Premium - MSRP From $35,995
The base A3 is equipped with LED exterior lighting with dynamic turn signals, 17-inch wheels, heated mirrors, satin-aluminum exterior trim, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, there are leather seats, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, heated front seats with 8-way power-adjustability for the driver, and multi-zone climate control.
The Convenience Package is $1,900 and includes driver’s position memory, proximity entry, auto-dimming power-folding mirrors, and the upgraded safety and audio features previously mentioned.
The $1,550 Black Optic Sport Package adds 18-inch wheels, black exterior trim, and a sport suspension with a lower ride height.
2023 Audi A3 Premium Plus - MSRP From $39,595
The Premium Plus trim adds the features of the Convenience Package and offers the Technology Package for $2,250 which includes a larger (12.1-inch) digital gauge cluster, navigation, and the upgraded sound system.
2023 Audi S3 Premium - MSRP From $46,995
The S3 brings more performance to the A3 than just the upgraded engine. The S3 receives a standard sport suspension (with a 0.6-inch lower ride height), larger vented brakes, quad exhaust outlets, an additional sport gauge cluster view, sport seats, unique trim, and 18-inch wheels.
The Convenience Package is offered for $1,500 and the Black Optic Package is $1,850 while it additionally includes black exhaust outlets, a black roof, and 19-inch bi-color wheels.
2023 Audi S3 Premium Plus - MSRP From $49,895
The mid-level S3 trim provides similar upgrades and offerings seen on the A3 with the exception of the S Sport Package ($1,100) which adds dynamic dampers and red brake calipers and an upgraded interior ($1,250) which applies Nappa leather to the seats and dash panel that are now available.
2023 Audi S3 Prestige - MSRP From $53,895
The Prestige trim adds the features of the Technology Package and a head-up display while also offering the S Sport Package and upgraded leather interior as add-ons.
2023 Audi RS 3 - MSRP From $59,995
The RS 3 is a higher-performance variant of the S3 and receives unique front fenders that facilitate a wider front track (by 1.3 inches), a black honeycomb grille with larger air intakes, a gloss-black rear lip spoiler, a rear bumper with a built-in diffuser, and a sport exhaust system with oval outlets and variable flap control, 19-inch wheels with staggered performance tires, a ride height that is nearly 0.4-inches lower than the S3, adaptive dampers, and larger brakes with red six-piston front calipers.
Other upgrades include premium LED headlights with darkened housings and unique checkered-flag lighting patterns, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with unique performance data displays, a shift-indicator light, a sport leather steering wheel with polished die-cast paddles, and an RS-specific drive mode button.
The RS Technology Package is $2,750 and includes the features of the S3’s Technology package as well as a head-up display. The RS Design Package adds unique suede-like inserts into the seat shoulders, color accents on the seat belts, a high-gloss black center console trim, and colored air vent bars for $1,500.
For the ultimate performance, the Dynamic Plus Package ($5,500) can be ordered with its ceramic front brakes, upgraded rear steel brakes, and an increased top speed (180 mph), while a carbon-fiber engine will impress the show car crowd.
The S3 provides a level of performance that its similarly-sized crossover sibling can’t match and spend for the Convenience Package for added everyday conveniences.