What's New
- Premium trims now have ambient interior lighting
- Push-button engine start, aluminum trim and black exterior trim
- New paint color: Quantum Gray
Pros & Cons
- Crisp handling
- Strong modern styling
- Cass-leading safety.
- Small trunk
- Minimal legroom, particularly in the second row
- Model likely to be refreshed next year; the new RS3 has not yet been fully unveiled
Audi A3 Sedan Overview
The 2020 A3 compact sedan is the entry into Audi’s line of stellar machines. (The A3 convertible was discontinued for 2020.) Equipped with responsive engines and a stout build, it’s infused with the same DNA as it’s larger brethren.
Under the skin, it is a Volkswagen Golf (it shares the same platform), featuring zippy performance from its base 184-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But there’s no mistaking it’s an Audi on the outside, thanks to the company’s signature trapezoid, single-frame grille and penchant for premium styling. Upgrading to the S line quattro pumps the A3’s horsepower to 224, and its zero to 60 mph time to 5.4 seconds, making this pint-size powerhouse a contender in its high-end class.
Drivers looking for a more sporting experience will want to zero in on the S3, whose 288-horsepower four-cylinder has 280 lb-ft of torque, helping it leap from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The S3 has quattro all-wheel drive on its Premium and Premium Plus trims and Audi magnetic ride technology on the latter, which uses an electronically charged magnetic fluid to control the shock absorbers. The S3 interior also looks the part of a souped-up A3, with sport front seats, quad exhaust ports, standard full LED headlights, and the option to add undeniably sinister black titanium exterior trim, mirror housings, front grille and wheels.
The RS3 is the undisputed performance champion of the A3 lineup. Packing a 400 horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine that funnels its output through a dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system it’s sure to spike the adrenalin of anyone with a pulse. Just know that the agile chassis can ride a little rough over broken pavement.
Trim Specifications
The baseline S3 (called Premium) comes standard with LED taillamps, full LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, leather seats and Apple and Android compatibility.
The Premium Plus trim adds heated, automatically dimming side mirrors, a 13-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a “phone box” that charges your phone wirelessly while boosting its signal and front and rear acoustic parking sensors.
The Final Edition adds paddle shifters, front sport seats and the ability to project the Audi logo on the ground when you open the doors.
Both S3 levels have the option to add a side assist with rear cross-traffic assist system and the S Sport package, which provides Audi’s magnetic ride suspension tech and red brake calipers. Getting the S Sport in the Premium Plus version unlocks the Optical black package, with black titanium styling and accents throughout and 19-inch wheels.
The RS3 commands a premium of more than $12,000 over the S3, but drivers more concerned with performance than practicality won’t be disappointed.
Warranty
4 Years/50,000 Miles
4 Years/50,000 Miles
12 Years/Unlimited Miles
4 Years/Unlimited Miles