2018 Audi A3 Review

Price Estimate: $13,083 - $15,268

2018 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Convertible Exterior Shown

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Appraise My 2018 Audi A3

Audi A3 model years

Audi A3 for Sale

Audi A3 types

Convertible
Sedan

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Jason Kavanagh

Pros

Good balance of a comfortable ride and sporty handling
Strong acceleration from the turbocharged engine
Refined and stylish cabin

Cons

Small trunk, especially with all-wheel drive
Limited backseat space

What’s new

For 2018, the A3 receives only minor changes to equipment availability. Two USB ports and heated front seats are now standard on all A3s, and blind-spot monitoring is standard on the Premium Plus trim levels.

Vehicle overview

The latest-generation A3 debuted in 2015 and marked a departure from the generation it replaced, eschewing the hatchback body style for sedan and convertible body styles. It then received a modest face-lift in 2017.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Des Moines, IA

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2018 Audi A3
2.0 TFSI Premium Sedan
$17,998
fair price
$297 above market
- 58,911 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 26 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Vancouver (1,469 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Vancouver, WA
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (26 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUAUGFF5J1042069
Stock: 27392054
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Audi A3
2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan
$22,990
fair price
$852 below market
- 34,168 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use
- 24 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Sacramento (1,485 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Sacramento, CA
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (24 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUJ8GFF3J1029177
Stock: 2003969188
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-20-2025

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The A3 debuted just one year after the debut of the Mercedes CLA-Class, marking the dawn of a new entry-level era among German automakers. BMW has yet to introduce a sedan in the vein of the others, instead doing battle with its rear-wheel-drive 2 Series coupe.

The A3 Cabriolet models lose the roof but gain reinforcements elsewhere to shore up the structure. In the bargain they gained about 250 pounds compared to their sedan counterparts. The power-folding top is fully lined, but its narrow rear window and large, unbroken swaths of fabric obscure visibility.

Under the skin, the A3 is closely related to the Volkswagen Golf. That's no bad thing, as both are quite accomplished compact cars. Be aware that it's possible to option up an A3 to an eye-watering degree. At some point, buyers might consider an A4 over a heavily optioned A3.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds' editorial team acquired and lived with an Audi A3 2.0T Quattro sedan for a full year, logging 20,000 miles. It quickly became obvious that although the A3 is Audi's entry-level sedan, it's a proper luxury car. We love the strong engine, quiet cabin and front seat comfort, but we found the trunk space a bit limiting and out-of-warranty maintenance fairly expensive. Note that while we tested a 2015 A3, our observations still apply to the 2018 car as well. To read about our entire experience, check out our long-term A3 test.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.2 / 10

Among entry-level luxury cars, the 2018 Audi A3 stands out for its well-rounded nature. It rides and steers with composure, accelerates briskly, has an upscale cabin and can be fitted with many premium features.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro Sedan (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current A3 has received some revisions, including a host of new driver assistance and cabin features. Our findings remain applicable to this year's A3, however.

Scorecard

Overall	8.2 / 10
Driving	9.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	6.0

Driving

9.0

With 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the A3 provides plenty of power to accelerate with purpose yet still returns good fuel economy figures. Handling is noteworthy, with a direct feel and cornering that's both entertaining and reassuring.

Acceleration

9.0

There's some hesitation from a standstill, but once under way thrust from the turbocharged four-cylinder is impressive, reaching 60 mph in an impressively quick 5.8 seconds. The all-wheel-drive system gives plenty of grip.

Braking

9.0

Around town the A3 has natural-feeling brake weighting and responses. Easy to modulate. In panic braking, there's little nosedive and the car tracks straight. It needed 118 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is better than average for the class and remained consistent after several runs.

Steering

8.0

Steering effort is light, making parking lot maneuvers easy, but still conveys direct feedback to the driver. On winding roads, it is predictably precise and further instills confidence.

Handling

9.0

The A3 feels light and athletic in curves. The AWD system makes the most of available grip, and the well-tuned suspension gives it a balanced, reassuring feel.

Drivability

9.0

The A3 is easy to maneuver in tight spaces thanks to its light steering. It tackles the everyday commute with ease.

Comfort

8.0

This is the kind of front-seat comfort we've come to expect from larger and more expensive sedans. Furthermore, the A3 manages this without sacrificing performance. The rear seats are cramped, but no more than those of other cars in this class.

Seat comfort

7.0

The front seats are roomy and comfortable even after several hours of touring. They do lack some side bolstering, though. Rear-seat space is restrictive and suitable for smaller passengers only.

Ride comfort

8.0

The A3 has a compliant ride that smooths over most road imperfections. Larger undulations can cause some jostling, though.

Noise & vibration

8.0

Road and wind noise is detectable on the highway, but it's never intrusive, even on rough pavement. There's some clattering engine noise at startup, but the idle quickly smooths out.

Interior

7.5

Like all Audis, the A3 sports an austere interior design, and that's a good thing. Tasteful aluminum accents, excellent materials quality and a generous features list make this car feel anything but entry-level.

Ease of use

9.0

The controls are placed exactly where you'd expect them, especially the MMI controller with handwriting recognition. The central screen rises from the dash for easy viewing, with sharp graphics and intuitive menus.

Getting in/getting out

6.0

Front-seat access is easy even in tight spaces thanks to a tall opening and doors that aren't too long. Rear access is decidedly less simple, requiring some twisting and stooping to get in.

Driving position

The front seats are roomy enough for taller passengers, but the rear seats lack the head- and legroom needed for the average adult. Only small folks will be comfortable back there.

Visibility

9.0

Forward visibility is excellent thanks to narrow roof pillars — a rarity in modern cars. Rear visibility is good enough that you could get by without the optional backup camera.

Quality

9.0

All interior surfaces in the A3 are well textured for an upscale look and feel. Every knob and switch has a distinct heft and click, and the car just feels sturdy.

Utility

6.0

The all-wheel-drive system eats up a decent chunk of the already-smallish trunk space, and cabin storage is at a premium.

Small-item storage

Interior storage is pretty limited, with modestly sized door pockets, console bin and glovebox.

Cargo space

The A3's trunk is the smallest in the class with only a 10-cubic-foot capacity. Large golf bags or long clubs will require folding down the rear seats.

Compare 2018 Audi A3 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Audi A3 models

The 2018 Audi A3 is offered in four-door sedan and two-door convertible (Cabriolet) body styles. Both are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The trim levels are named Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige in Audi speak, which are listed in order of increasing content.

Front-wheel-drive A3 models have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (186 hp, 221 lb-ft) and a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. These models have a fuel economy edge over their all-wheel-drive brothers to the tune of 2 mpg (EPA combined). All-wheel-drive variants (Quattro) have a similar engine, but a few changes elevate its gumption to a more robust 220 hp and 258 lb-ft. Perhaps paradoxically, Quattro variants have one fewer gear in their dual-clutch automatic transmissions than do front-wheel-drive models. Despite this and their inevitably heavier weights (160 pounds for sedans; 200 pounds for convertibles), Quattro models handily out-accelerate their front-wheel-drive counterparts. No manual gearbox is available on any flavor of A3.

The base Premium is well-equipped, sporting features such as leather upholstery, a backup camera, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, a 10-speaker sound system, heated front seats and an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustment. Cabriolet models are similar but have a power-folding soft top, a nine-speaker sound system and six-way power front seats with lumbar.

For a reasonable sum, Premium Plus adds a mix of cosmetics and worthwhile convenience features such as 18-inch wheels, an eight-way power passenger seat with lumbar, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless ignition and entry, parking sensors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. These models also gain a dose of exterior appearance items such as revised bumpers, side sill extensions and illuminated aluminum front door sills.

The Prestige goes all out with power-folding mirrors, LED headlights, an expanded Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, navigation, a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system and a host of driver assistance features (including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise, automatic high beams).

Some of the features found on the Premium Plus and Prestige can be added to the lower trims as options. An optional Sport package is available on all three trims; it adds a sport steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, sport front seats with extendable thigh support, and selectable driving modes. A sport-tuned suspension is optional with the Sport package selected.

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Reliability

The 2018 Audi A3 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 7 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, ranks it #25 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average

#25 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$629/yr

vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Frequency

3.04x/yr

vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Severity

11.7%

vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Recalls

7 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V110000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: VW: 20UF/A
Number of vehicles affected:: 261257
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Defect Consequence:: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Recall Number:: 21V198000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 69BY
Number of vehicles affected:: 153152
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Defect Consequence:: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: The remedy program is still in development. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 21, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.

Recall Number:: 19V474000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 69Z4
Manufactured from:: 2017-03-28 to 2018-07-13
Number of vehicles affected:: 138896
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Defect Consequence:: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

Recall Number:: 19V095000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 72I8
Manufactured from:: 2018-04-12 to 2018-07-02
Number of vehicles affected:: 3326
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedan and RS3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.
Defect Consequence:: In the event of a crash, the head restraint may detach and cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
Corrective Action:: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72I8.

Recall Number:: 18V863000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20BK
Manufactured from:: 2018-03-12 to 2018-04-17
Number of vehicles affected:: 1104
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Defect Consequence:: A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BK.

Recall Number:: 18V803000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: VW 72H8 /
Manufactured from:: 2018-06-08 to 2018-07-11
Number of vehicles affected:: 169
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Defect Consequence:: If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).

Recall Number:: 17V508000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 24DF
Manufactured from:: 2016-09-23 to 2017-08-25
Number of vehicles affected:: 8383
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet and A3 Sedan vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall.
Defect Consequence:: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 29, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

Audi A3 Owner Reviews

4.3

39 reviews

5(72%)

4(3%)

3(10%)

2(10%)

1(5%)

See all 39 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

The best damn little car I ever had!

Glenn Tanner, 03/31/2017

2017 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

If you want to turn heads, a great ride, and affordability, this is the car for you. When I say great ride, I mean great ride. It hugs the road. It's almost as if the car is saying, "Let me show you what I can do". I was on the highway one afternoon, and the engine was purring like a much contented cat, when I glanced at the tach, and it was around 2000rpms. Then, I looked over to the …

Bang for your buck

Sid T., 11/19/2015

2016 Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Premium Plus 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

This is my first Audi. I've always been a fan of the A3, even before it was changed to a sedan. When the sedan came out, I knew I was going to get that car. Although one of the bad things that this car is always dinged on - The Backseats - I have no complaints. Sure, it's tight back there but I'm never in the back seats so I don't really care that it's small. Perky little engine! So …

Luxury in a smaller package

robsA3, 06/20/2017

2017 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

I LOVE my new Audi A3!! Beautiful to look at ( I have the Cosmos Blue with chestnut)....and SO FUN to drive. With 220 hp, it has excellent pick up and speed, beautiful sound from the Bang and Olefsun stereo system...and the VIRTUAL COCKPIT is AMAZING!! From a BMW to a Mercedes... now to my AUDI....love it.

Love my A3

Nina Psihoules, 11/14/2017

2017 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

I love this car. I leased a 2015 A3 base model, and loved it so much I upgraded to a 2017 Premium Quattro. Although it is a little small for my husband's comfort (he's 6'2") I am completely comfortable in the car. I feel safe and secure. I hope to own this car for a very long time.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Audi A3, so we've included reviews for other years of the A3 since its last redesign.

See all 39 reviews of the Audi A3

Write a vehicle review

2018 A3 Highlights

Type:

Convertible

Trim:

2.0 TFSI Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$38,350
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$163/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	9.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the A3 models:

Active Lane Assist: Helps to keep you in your lane by monitoring lane markings and applying gentle steering corrections.
Side Assist: Monitors the car's blind spots and activates a light when a car in an adjacent lane is in your blind spot.
Adaptive Cruise With Stop & Go: Adjusts your set speed when you approach traffic and maintains a predetermined gap. Can resume travel even after traffic stops.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2018 Audi A3 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

For sale near Des Moines, IA

2018 Audi A32.0 TFSI Premium Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2018 Audi A32.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Which A3 does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Audi A3 models

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Audi A3 Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

The best damn little car I ever had!

Bang for your buck

Luxury in a smaller package

Love my A3

2018 A3 Highlights

Safety

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2018 Audi A3
2.0 TFSI Premium Sedan

2018 Audi A3
2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan