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AudiA3 Sportback (2020-)

Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Available new

£28,483Typical price

Test score

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The VW Golf-based Audi A3 Sportback reached its fourth generation in 2020 and was facelifted in 2024. In Audi-speak, ‘Sportback’ means a hatchback with five doors. This popular model aims to offer an upmarket experience in a medium-size family car, rivalling the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class. Does it deliver? Find out in our full Audi A3 Sportback review.

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable is the Audi A3 Sportback (2021 to present)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Model reliability 0-4 years
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2025Last checked by Which?
Jun 2021First reviewed by Which?
Mar 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 0-4 years

How we test model reliability 0-4 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years. A car cannot be a Best Buy if: It's available to buy new and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and has a 5-9-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and launched less than five years ago and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars of less.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£28,483 - £51,394
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	42.8 to 56.5mpg
Length	4,343 to 4,352mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,816mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	1,990mm
Height	1,441 to 1,449mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.05 m
On sale date	03 March 2020
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£11.31

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	35 TDI S line
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (150hp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	11.31p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£70
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	133
Official fuel economy: WLTP	54.3 to 57.6
Braked tow load (KG)	1600kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	740kg
Engine test date	09 September 2024
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine and trim name	35 TFSI S tronic
Fuel	Mild-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (150hp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	14.23p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£67
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	157
Official fuel economy: WLTP	46.3
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	690kg
Engine test date	01 March 2021
Car test programme	2017

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AudiA3 Sportback (2020-)

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