Audi A3 Saloon Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space
Written by David Ross
Quick overview
Pros
- Very quiet and comfortable at motorway speeds
- High quality and well finished interior
- Upmarket image and a good alternative to the larger A4
Cons
- Boot limits practicality compared to the A3 Sportback
- Tight for leg room in the back
- Not the most exciting of things to drive
Verdict: Is the Audi A3 Saloon a good car?
"The A3 Saloon proves that small saloons don't have to be dull. With a sharpish design, it stands out more than its hatchback counterpart, plus the interior has the same quality appeal as larger Audi saloons. Classy and upmarket, it majors on refinement and comfort, making it ideal as a cheaper alternative to the Audi A4."
Of course, the big question is why a saloon? Something we'll answer in this Audi A3 Saloon review. The A3 Sportback is a popular five-door choice for people wanting a high-quality hatchback. It's also practical. And given that small saloons have never been big sellers in the UK, it would seem an odd move to introduce an Audi A3 Saloon.
But while not an obvious choice, the A3 Saloon has quietly carved out a niche for itself - and indeed it's not alone. Mercedes has the A-Class Saloon, and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Switching from the hatchback to a saloon design has been successful. While small saloons have traditionally been about as attractive as a hospital dinner, this one isn't half bad. In fact, we quite like it; those sharp lines mean that at a glance, it's hard to tell it apart from an Audi A4.
Indeed, this is where a big part of its appeal will come from. For owners of an Audi A4 - or even Audi A6 - who are looking to downsize and want something cheaper to run but has that upmarket feel, the A3 Saloon could just fit the bill, rather than go for the default small SUV.
True, it's not an especially sporty drive, but the A3 Saloon's forte is comfort and refinement, which you'll really appreciate on long motorway trips. Here, there's very little difference with an Audi A4, the A3 Saloon proving a relaxed and undemanding car on long journeys. It's what we'd describe as 'grown up'.
It's also sensible when it comes to running costs, with the Audi A3 35 TFSI, powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which has a mild-hybrid system, returning up to 50mpg with the S tronic automatic. This is the combination we think works best in the A3 Saloon, combining smooth performance with good economy. Again, it's not exactly full of thrills, but then again, this is a small, sensible saloon. Cake eating and all that.
It's certainly packed with plenty of tech, and all models have the Audi Virtual Cockpit as standard, along with a top-notch 10.1-inch touchscreen. Audi has one of the best infotainment systems around with a sharp display and an intuitive layout. All models get MMI Navigation Plus as standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you're down with the kids.
And as for the rest of the cabin, Audi has a form with designing some of the best interiors around. The Audi A3 Saloon is no exception. The stylish design gives it a modern and upmarket feel, but it's also functional. Those in the back may find leg room on the tight side, but the boot is surprisingly big, and you even get folding rear seats.
If you're after a compact saloon with a bit of quality and lots of refinement, the Audi A3 Saloon will tick all the right boxes. Whether we'd choose one over an A3 Sportback is another matter.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Audi Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Audi A3 Saloon cars for sale. If you're looking for the five-door hatchback version, you'll need our Audi A3 Sportback review
Is the Audi A3 Saloon right for you?
If you want a classy, good-looking saloon, the Audi A3 Saloon makes a strong case for itself. Just like the hatchback A3 Sportback, it's comfortable and easy to drive, if not that exciting. But what shines through is the quality - if you're downsizing from something like an Audi A6 or an Audi A4, the A3 Saloon has the same upmarket feel to it.
Don't expect the same space, of course, you'll find rear leg room on the tight side, but this still very much feels like one of Audi's bigger saloons that's simply been shrunk down. With few around, it's also more exclusive than the Audi A3 Sportback.
What’s the best Audi A3 Saloon model/engine to choose?
Unless you're doing big miles, the Audi A3 35 TFSI is the best engine to go for. It's a 1.5-litre petrol that's smooth and very easy to drive, especially if you opt for the seven-speed S tronic gearbox, which suits it really well.
The Audi A3 35 TDI is a 2.0-litre diesel with the same 150PS and is a mainstay of the Audi range. It's incredibly quiet and refined for a four-cylinder diesel, plus of course it's very economical with a claimed 55- 59mpg. There is also a 116PS version of the same engine used in the 30 TDI.
The entry-level 30 TFSI produced 110PS when launched, but has since been increased to 116PS. We'd recommend the Sport trim. It has enough for everyday life.
What other cars are similar to the Audi A3 Saloon?
Small saloons haven't traditionally been popular in the UK, mainly because they look terrible and aren't very practical. So you're not awash with rivals, the main one being the Mercedes A-Class Saloon, which goes down a similar path of comfort and classiness.
However, Mercedes-Benz no longer takes A-Class Saloon orders as it's being discontinued. But there's also the larger CLA, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Peugeot 508, and Skoda Superb.
Comfort and design: Audi A3 Saloon interior
"Audi is renowned for having what many regard as the best interior designs around. The A3 Saloon is no exception with the same level of comfort you'll find in bigger and more expensive Audi models."
We've often talked about how good Audi's interior design is, so we won't keep banging that particular drum, but there's a clarity of design that's hard to beat. Step out of an Audi A6 and into an Audi A3 Saloon, and while you may not have as many screens and buttons, it will all be very familiar to you. It's easy to use but stylish too - it seems you can blend form and function.
The driving position is excellent with a low-slung seat and lots of adjustment in the steering. Again, it really doesn't feel that different here to the larger Audi A4.
Audi has ditched all the circular air vents and buttons of the previous generation A3, replacing them with an angular design. There are some nice touches like the row of switches below the infotainment screen, plus there's lots of metal and piano black trim, which has become de rigueur these days. The seats on Sport models are pretty comfortable over a long journey, while the S line model gets more supportive sports seats.
With minimal buttons, the interior design is clean and tidy, but there are at least separate controls for the climate, so you don't have to start jabbing at the touchscreen just to turn the temperature up on a cold morning.
Quality and finish
There's a reason the Audi brand proves so popular with buyers, and that's down to the quality of the interior. The fit and finish are second to none, with a solid build quality that is designed to last. Soft-touch materials are everywhere, while everything you touch, from the steering wheel to the switches and column stalks, feels solid and precise.
All models, even the entry-level Audi A3 Sport, get leather seats with a high-calibre feel along with a sporty three-spoke multifunction steering wheel.
Go for an Audi A3 S line and you get a fancy LED interior lighting pack with ambient door lighting so you can change the colour of the interior lights to whatever you like. Purple and green, anyone?
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Audi A3 Saloon
Audi has really nailed infotainment in its latest generation cars, and the Audi A3 Saloon feels cutting edge with its high resolution and easy-to-navigate layout. Thanks to Audi's third-generation modular infotainment platform, called MIB 3, it has ten times more computing power than the previous system.
What that means in the real world is that the 10.1-inch touchscreen responds instantly to your finger and feels as slick as your modern smartphone. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which work usefully on Bluetooth, so you don't need a cable.
If you want to keep the little people entertained, there's a WiFi hotspot, although you will need a SIM card for it. But it's useful if the kids have iPads that aren't phone-enabled and want to watch Peppa Pig on the move. Again...
The MMI Navigation Plus system is standard on all models, but we think most drivers will simply use an app like Waze or Google Maps via the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both are a lot quicker and more accurate than the built-in system.
Another Audi A3 Saloon standard feature is the 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit. This is, in our opinion, the best digital instrument display around, with sharp graphics and numerous ways to customise it - changing the size of the dials or prioritising navigation directions.
There aren't any physical buttons for the infotainment system as it's all on screen, but there is at least a handy touch dial on the centre console for turning the volume up and changing tracks or radio stations.
The Technology Pack adds the SONOS 3D Premium Sound System, which includes 15 speakers, a 680W 16-channel amplifier and a subwoofer.
Space and practicality: Audi A3 Saloon boot space
No prizes for guessing that the Audi A3 Saloon isn't as practical as its A3 Sportback counterpart. That said, the boot is surprisingly versatile with a wide and square opening, meaning you can get a bulky pushchair in (and various children's scooters) without any issues.
At 425 litres, the luggage capacity is exactly the same as in the previous A3 Saloon model and actually bigger than the 380-litre boot in the hatchback, plus the saloon also gets 40/20/40 split folding back seats with a centre armrest and cup holders.
This Audi A3 Saloon is slightly wider and a fraction taller than before at 4495mm long, 1984mm wide and 1425mm tall, which means you're less likely to smack elbows with your passenger if that's ever a thing that's happened before. There's also a little more headroom in the front, which cultivators of man-bun and quiff coiffures will appreciate.
This is helped by the repositioned driver’s seat, although what's not so good is the room in the back. If you have a tall human up front, one of those that's more than say 6ft tall, rear legroom is what we'd call on the extremely tight side. Fine for younger kids, but growing teenagers won't be happy.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Audi A3 Saloon like to drive?
"The A3 Saloon majors on serenity and refinement rather than sportiness, with a forgiving ride combining with quiet engines to make this feel reassuringly agreeable from behind the wheel. What it lacks in excitement, it makes up for in comfort."
And for many drivers, especially those downsizing from something like an Audi A4, this will be a big plus in the Audi A3 Saloon. You know exactly what you're getting here - a comfortable and smooth-riding car that is undemanding to drive.
Go for an S tronic automatic, which we'd recommend whatever engine you choose, and you'll find lovely, quick and slick shifts that are barely noticeable, yet it responds well when you need power for that nippy overtake.
It's safe and reassuring through corners, whether tight country bends or high-speed slip roads. True, the steering, although reasonably well weighted, isn't exactly enamoured with much in the way of feedback - there's little in the way of driver engagement here, but it's precise. The light steering is also great for those multi-storey car parks and parallel parking.
You can go for the sportier S line models, which get sports suspension and a 15mm lower ride height. This provides a firmer ride, not helped by the S line’s standard-fit 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s not uncomfortable, but we reckon the standard springs suit the A3 better.
It may be a saloon, but the high design of the boot means it's easy to judge where the back of the car is when parking, plus, of course, all models come with rear parking sensors as standard anyway.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Audi A3 Saloon?
Your jaw probably won't be hitting the ground when you discover that the Audi A3 Saloon uses the same engines as the Audi A3 Sportback.
It was initially launched with two engines, both 150PS. The 2.0 TDI Audi A3 35 TDI is used across the Audi range, while the Audi A3 35 TFSI and 30 TFSI are 1.5-litre units. All besides the TDI can be equipped with a six-speed manual or the S tronic gearbox, the TDI is S tronic only.
The 1.5-litre TFSI has a cylinder-on-demand system along with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which recovers energy when slowing down or braking. It actually gives the engine an extra 50Nm of torque under acceleration from low engine speeds and means the A3 Saloon can also coast with the engine switched off in many situations. Economy wins.
Audi introduced a lower power version of the 2.0 TDI with 116PS, which was the most economical in the range, returning up to 64mpg, but this has since been dropped. An A3 40 TDI with 200PS joined the range but was also dropped.
Refinement and noise levels
This is one area where the Audi A3 Saloon really excels. While it may not be that engaging to drive, it is incredibly refined on the move, feeling as good as Audi's bigger saloons like the Audi A6.
Sit at 70mph on the motorway and regardless of which engine you choose, the Audi A3 Saloon is incredibly quiet with little road or wind noise, helped by a more streamlined design compared to the old version. This is also helped by the standard-fit acoustic windscreen.
The 2.0-litre diesel used in the TDI models is one of the best around, with smooth performance and very little noise. Most of the time, it's easy to forget it's a diesel, thanks to impressive sound insulation, plus there’s no noticeable vibration through the pedals or steering wheel.
The petrols are very quiet, too - although you’ll have to accept a slight three-cylinder resonance from the 1.0-litre 30 TFSI. It makes quite a characterful noise at high revs, but it’s not particularly intrusive.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Audi A3 Saloon?
While the Audi A3 Saloon hasn't specifically been crash tested by Euro NCAP, the hatchback Audi A3 Sportback was given the maximum five-star rating, so it's safe to say the A3 Saloon is equally as good.
It was awarded an impressive 89% for adult occupant safety and 81% for child occupant safety, helped by a head airbag system with front side airbags integrated into the seat backrests. These unfold in front of the side windows and protect passengers in both the front and back in a side impact.
All models get Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC), a tyre pressure loss indicator, seat belt monitoring and ISOFIX point as well as I-Size and top tether child seat mounting for the outer rear seats. Usefully, the rear child locks can be switched on and off with a button, no more messing about with a screwdriver on the back doors.
All models come with Audi pre sense front, which combines a camera behind the interior mirror with a radar to prevent or mitigate accidents, collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning and distraction and fatigue warning.
Buyers can add the Technology Pack and Technology Pack Pro at an extra cost. The former adds a reversing camera, a heads-up display, and adaptive cruise assist. Upgrading to the latter adds matrix LED exterior lighting, adaptive cruise assist with emergency assist, lane change assist and rear traffic cross alert, and a comfort key.
MPG and fuel costs: What does an Audi A3 Saloon cost to run?
"Most models return around 50mpg, although the diesel is closer to 60mpg"
If you want outright economy, then stick to the TDI. The Audi A3 35 TDI will see between 55.4 and 58.9 mpg according to the official WLTP figures.
But the petrols are hardly thirsty and the 1.5-litre engine in 35 TFSI, which would be our choice, will average 50mpg with the S tronic dual clutch gearbox. As an all-rounder, we think this is the best specification in the range. The smaller 30 TFSI, with the 1.0-litre engine, should be good for 52mpg.
Audi A3 Saloon reliability and warranty
Audi scored 89% in the latest Honest John reliability survey and 12th out of 33 manufacturers in the satisfaction index.
While the A3 Saloon is a small seller and we don't have any data for it specifically, the Audi A3 model overall received a strong 9.2 rating for reliability. All A3 Saloons come with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty.
Audi A3 Saloon insurance groups and costs
Depending on the year, the cheapest A3 Saloon to insure is the 30 TFSI Sport. This ranges from group 15 to 18. The 35 TFSI Sport is group 20 to 23, the 35 TDI is 24. You'll pay more for discontinued models like the 40 TDI and 40 TFSI.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on an Audi A3 Saloon?
Like insurance, VED depends on the car's year and trim. Most cars are the standard £195 rate, but some will cost £440 in showroom tax, something worth checking.
The 35 TDI and 40 TDI Vorsprung S tronic models cost £620 per year, identical to the sportier S3.
Audi A3 Saloon price
"New cars start from circa £30,000, but used low-mileage cars can be had for less."
New Audi A3 Saloons are priced from £30,895 to £39,425 without additional options. Need a used example? A basic 2014 model with circa 173,000 miles can be had for £5,000. 2020-plus cars start from £13,000, while 2024 and 2025 cars demand upwards of £32,000.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Audi's revamped its lineup, leaving just three trims. The entry-level Audi A3 Saloon Sport features 17-inch alloy wheels, twin leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, Audi sound system, a virtual cockpit, heated front seats and MMI navigation.
Externally, the Audi A3 Saloon S line adds more overt S line-specific sports styling, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights with dynamic rear indicators and privacy glass, and inside gains sport seats with S line embossing and contrast stitching plus upgraded inlays.
The range-topping Black Edition adds black exterior styling, additional lighting and 19-inch alloys.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Audi A3 Saloon worth buying?
How reliable is the Audi A3 Saloon?
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Audi A3 Saloon Alternatives
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