History/Overview
Audi introduced the A3 in its current sedan form in 2015, following up the car's previous hatchback configuration. A styling refresh came in 2017.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
For 2020, Audi has added more standard content to the A3, with the most notable additions going to its bottom and middle trims.
Available Trims
Audi sells the A3 in Komfort, Progressiv and Technik trims and with two turbo four-cylinder engines. Komfort and Progressiv start with FWD and a 40 designation that indicates an entry-level version of the car's 2.0L turbocharged engine. Optional in Komfort and Progressiv, and standard in Technik, is a 45 variant that uses a more potent 2.0L matched with Quattro AWD. Regardless of engine and driveline choice, the A3 is standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Standard Features
The Audi A3 40 and 45 Komfort's new standard features are passive keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors, a first aid kit, gloss window surrounds, an anti-theft system, and redesigned 18-inch wheels.
Those items join the car's carried-over standard kit, which includes leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, automatic engine start/stop, a 7.0-inch infotainment display with satellite radio, USB connection and smartphone interface, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, power driver's seat with lumbar, aluminum door sills, xenon headlights, LED tail lights, automatic on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, driver information system, pre-sense basic and heated front seats.
New features included in the A3 40 and 45 Progressiv are S-line exterior trim, a black headliner and brushed aluminum interior trim, sport suspension, comfort sport seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters.
Carry-over items include a power front passenger seat, interior storage package, high-gloss window surrounds, aluminum interior accents, LED interior lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, and drive modes.
The A3 45 Technik package adds gloss black grille and window trim for 2020. Its other additions, carried over from last year, are navigation, a colour driver info display, digital gauge cluster, LED all-weather lights, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, LED headlights and dynamic tail lights, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, Auto Connect services, and a heated steering wheel.
Key Options
New to the A3's option list is Audi's side assist blind spot monitor, available in Komfort and Progressiv trims.
Audi offers the mid-range Progressiv trim with navigation and LED lighting packages. Technik can be optioned with a tech package that bundles active lane assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, park assist and pre-sense front.
All three trims can be had with rear side airbags and tire pressure monitoring, and Progressiv and Techik models offer 19-inch wheels.
Fuel Economy
As of this writing, Audi had not published fuel consumption estimates for the 2020 A3. However, we expect the carried-over model's figures will be similar, if not identical, to those for the 2019 model. Its ratings are 9.1/6.8 L/100 km (city/highway) for the FWD 40 variant, and 10.9/7.9 L/100 km in the more potent Quattro 45 version.
Competition
The A3's natural competitors include the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and A-Class small sedans, the Acura ILX, Cadillac CT4, and the BMW 2 Series. The Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Jetta GLI can compete price-wise, but the WRX in particular is a more performance-oriented model.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
