- Fuel efficient, but peppy
- Packed with tech
- Handsome exterior styling
- Available with upscale features
- Tight rear seats
- Pocket-sized trunk
- S3 and RS 3 are far more exciting
- Pricey for a subcompact
Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.
The 2024 Audi A3 Is Audi’s Cheapest Car
Audis have never been cheap, but the German automaker’s luxury vehicles seemingly get more expensive year after year. Shoppers looking to get into an Audi on a budget will be steered toward the 2024 Audi A3. With a starting price tag of $36,895, the A3 is the most affordable car to wear the brand’s four-ring badge.
While the A3 is Audi’s cheapest car, it doesn’t feel or look like it. The A3 has all of Audi’s hallmark traits, which is what makes it a good option in the segment.
2024 Audi A3 Has A Perky Powertrain
There’s no denying that the 2024 Audi A3 lacks the pantomime of the sportier S3 and RS 3, but the A3 still has plenty of performance for the class. The A3 comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Output is rated at 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque and the engine is partnered to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Having 201 hp on tap may not sound all that exciting, but the base A3 is plenty quick enough for the daily commute. It can get to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A3 swiftly gets off the line thanks to its torque figure, which is available at just 1,600 rpm.
The 2024 Audi S3 and RS 3 Have Bonkers Performance
For extra performance, the 2024 Audi S3 and RS 3 are the clear choice over the A3. They’re far more expensive – the S3 is roughly $12,000 more and the RS 3 commands roughly $27,000 more – but they offer sports car performance.
The S3 packs a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. These figures are good enough for a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The RS 3 features a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that makes a mighty 401 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. In addition to a howling exhaust note, the RS 3 sprints to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
Both of these trims come with upgraded brakes, performance-oriented suspension, and stickier tires to deliver sharper handling around corners.
Does The 2024 Audi A3 Have Good Fuel Economy Figures?
With front-wheel drive, the 2024 Audi A3 is rated at up to 32 mpg combined (29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway). Getting the A3 with all-wheel drive brings lower figures of 30 mpg combined (27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway).
These are impressive figures for a subcompact luxury car. And the A3 should save you even more money at the pumps since it runs on regular gasoline.
The more powerful S3 and RS 3 aren’t nearly as efficient. The S3 is rated at up to 26 mpg combined (23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway), while the RS 3 can get up to 23 mpg combined (19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway). Both of these trims require premium gasoline.
2024 Audi A3 Has Advanced Tech Features
Audi offers its MMI infotainment system on the 2024 A3. The system includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth.
The small sedan is available with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with Audi’s slick Virtual Cockpit Plus system, a head-up display, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a wireless charging pad, and navigation.
The A3’s tech features are slick and while the sedan doesn’t come with Audi’s latest dual-screen system, we’re happy to report that there are some physical buttons.
The 2024 Audi A3 Has A Cramped Cabin
One of the downsides of the 2024 Audi A3’s subcompact size is its tight cabin. The driver and the passenger in the front get a decent amount of space with 36.8 inches of headroom and 41.2 inches of legroom. Taller passengers may find headroom to be in short supply.
Things are worse in the back. With 36.6 inches of rear headroom and 35.2 inches of rear legroom, the A3’s rear seats are tight. The rear seats are so tight, that they may best be left for children.
Does The 2024 Audi A3 Have A Lot Of Cargo Space?
The other major drawback with the 2024 Audi A3’s subcompact size is that it has a tiny trunk. The A3’s trunk has just 10.9 cubic feet of cargo space. If you’re the type of person who goes to the grocery store on a daily or weekly basis, the A3’s trunk should be fine. Larger trips may be more difficult.
Is The 2024 Audi A3 A Good Family Car?
Because of its small cabin and miniscule trunk, the 2024 Audi A3 is not a good family vehicle. The A3 is meant for urbanites and commuters. The qualities that make the A3 great for child-free families are what hold it back from being a good family vehicle.
Is The 2024 Audi A3 A Good Car?
The 2024 Audi A3, S3, and RS 3 are great cars, as long as you know what kind of car you want. Shoppers looking for an efficient, high-tech, peppy, and stylish car will find a lot to like with the A3. The S3 and RS 3 bring a dramatic increase in performance.
The A3, S3, and RS 3, though, suffer from their subcompact size. The small sedan has narrow rear seats and a tiny trunk. While the A3 has plenty of great traits that Audi is known for, the cabin has some hard plastics. The A3 may be Audi’s smallest car, but it’s not priced like a small car.
2024 Audi A3 Alternatives
The Acura Integra is another great subcompact car. It has sharp exterior styling that matches the car’s spunky performance. Unlike the A3, the Integra is available with a manual transmission and has a hatchback body style with up to 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The high-performance Integra Type S comes with a 320-hp engine and delivers thrilling performance.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is Mercedes’ entry-level car. It has a stylish design, a premium interior design, advanced tech features, and a standard 221-hp engine. The CLA has peppier performance than the A3 and a larger trunk with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space.