Audi A3

Model reviewed: 40 TFSI e 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“This Audi A3 PHEV should appeal to company-car choosers, but everyone else may be put off by the higher list price and still-modest electric-only range. It’s beautifully finished inside and has lots of appealing tech, but its performance is compromised.”
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Model reviewed: S3 saloon
Score: 7 / 10
“As an all-rounder, the new Audi S3 Saloon holds plenty of appeal, and the reduction in price between it and the cheaper Sportback hatchback makes it more tempting than ever. In pure performance terms it’s hard to fault, though buyers looking for more involvement should look elsewhere.”
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Model reviewed: S3
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s hard to fault the new Audi S3 for the way it makes its performance oh-so accessible. However, the way it drives is only a mild evolution, so those expecting a new experience will need to look elsewhere. Instead, the big changes are technological, and in the cabin.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Subtle exterior changes and a tech-laden interior help the Audi A3 maintain its position as a premium family hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual 35 TFSI S line hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s business as usual for the Audi A3 Sportback, which slots neatly into the premium hatchback market with high quality, good refinement and a price that makes it a very competitive offering for anyone after this sort of car.”
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Model reviewed: A3 saloon range
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi has carefully improved its A3 Saloon package holding true to the successful formula while adding lots of new technology.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8.2 / 10
“A masterclass in how to put premium gloss on a humble hatchback, the latest Audi A3 Sportback combines angular and aggressive new styling with a swanky cabin bristling with the latest technology.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 40 TFSIe S line
Score: 8 / 10
“Largely impressive plug-in hybrid set up with all the usual Audi design and build quality. Harsh ride spoils an otherwise smooth operator.”
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Model reviewed: S3 Sportback
Score: 7 / 10
“Our concerns are twofold. Ride quality is simply not good enough on the standard passive dampers and the interior lacks the cosseting, high-quality feel of bygone Audi hot hatches. For rivals, these would be notable flaws, but for an S3 they feel especially conspicuous.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic S3 saloon
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi S3 Saloon stacks up admirably against its German challengers. But if out-and-out thrills and the odd weekend track day are the overriding priority, there remain far more satisfying hatchback alternatives, and most of them are front-wheel drive.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Regardless which engine you go for, the Audi A3’s core strengths are its exterior design, a significantly improved interior and a more polished driving experience than before. It bodes well for the model line as it expands to sportier S3 models and beyond.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 35 TDI S line Sportback
Score: 7 / 10
“With the general move towards electrification, the concept of a diesel family hatchback seems a bit of a strange one these days. Unless I were planning on making regular long journeys, I would, as a private buyer, be inclined to opt for petrol.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Edition 1 saloon
Score: 7 / 10
“The A3 Saloon is a solid car that does what Audis do: impresses with material choice in the most visible spaces (there are some hard plastics lower down in the cabin) and with conspicuous technology on top of everyday mechanicals before being given a dusting of not one premium halo but four.”
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Model reviewed: S3 Sportback
Score: 8 / 10
“The new 2020 Audi S3 continues its positioning at the posher end of the hot hatch scale. The sheer pace and grip available from the engine and drivetrain are more than enough to be worth your time, in that very polished, all-round package kind of way.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual 35 S line
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi A3 saloon is not tremendously exciting – you’d have to look at a Mercedes A-Class saloon for more visual drama and clever tech, or perhaps Audi’s own S3 saloon if you want performance thrills – but it’s an impressive small saloon that’ll look good on your driveway.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Although the new Audi A3 Sportback technically owes a lot to the Volkswagen Golf 8, it has its own character, and comes across as a far more complete, sharp-looking and frankly desirable hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“Audi might not have thrown out the rule book with the new A3, but it didn’t really need to. That said, big improvements have been made to the on-board technology, while it’s better to drive than ever. When new engines and powertrains join the range, it’ll offer plenty of choice to buyers.”
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Model reviewed: S3 hatchback
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Audi S3 is a refined and quick hot hatchback with lots of tech”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The striking Audi A3 Sportback now has the technology it needs to compete with rivals.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Audi A3 Saloon now has the latest in engine and interior technology.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi A3 Saloon is a classy, high tech four-door that is also great to drive. Audi’s A3 Sportback is the more practical choice, though.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi A3 Sportback has one of the best looking interiors of its kind. It has advanced tech and is well made. It’s also a bit more expensive than alternatives.”
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Model reviewed: PHEV
“If you’re a company car driver, no other A3 makes more sense than the PHEV.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual S line
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Not the most dramatic of replacement models, but the high-quality new Audi A3 does things a little better than its predecessor while looking sharper inside and out.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic S3 Sportback
Score: 6 / 10
“I can’t fault the dual-clutch gearbox and the four-wheel drive system gives infinite traction. There is plenty of speed in this car and some prestige in the badge, but magic? None that I could find.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback 40 TFSI e
Score: 8 / 10
“The best version of the latest A3 Sportback yet – still as stylish and well-made as ever. Yet, the 40 TFSI e offers an enviable mix of performance and economy that are sure to bring real-world cost savings.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
“Although marginally bigger than its predecessor, the Audi A3 Saloon isn’t noticeably different in terms of dimensions.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“While the Audi A3 does represent good value for money, you do pay more for the higher quality finish compared to the Volkswagen Golf.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi A3’s cabin isn’t class-leading when it comes to spaciousness, but if you’re after a compact car and don’t require seven-seater levels of room, it’s a worthy choice.”
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Model reviewed: Quattro All-wheel-drive
“This Quattro’s advanced new Haldex clutch system enables the S3 for the first time ever to drive with 100 per cent power sent direct to the rear wheels for those blissful moments that magnetic tarmac traction is not the priority.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic S line Sportback
“Audi A3 Sportback S line’s advanced tech and design trump BMW and Mercedes – it’s a pleasure to drive”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi A3 is the poshest Golf and has the edge on comfort.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 7 / 10
“Everything good about the Audi A3 Sportback, just a little less practical. A complete car that won’t get on your nerves.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Fussy design inside and out doesn’t spoil a really rather good family hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: S3 Sportback
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi S3 might not deliver the ultimate driving thrills of a Honda Civic Type R or Renault Megane RS, but it counters with impressive point-to-point pace, confidence inspiring dynamics and a plush ride.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi A3 Saloon is tidy in the bends, comfortable and well equipped, making it a very competitive option against its closest rivals. However, the A4 is worth the extra if you can afford it, because it’s quieter and has a classier and more practical interior.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s no doubt the latest Audi A3 isn’t as well finished inside or as polished overall as the previous model, but it still rates well against the premium competition, in the form of the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class.”
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