In a market where luxury often comes with a hefty price tag, one compact sedan proves you don’t have to overspend to enjoy a premium driving experience. Audi has long been associated with refined interiors and composed handling, and this small sedan brings those strengths into a more attainable package. It blends upscale comfort, thoughtful design, and modern technology in a way that feels more expensive than its compact footprint — making it a standout choice for buyers who want premium without paying luxury pricing.
What makes this sedan especially compelling is how well it balances refinement with everyday usability. Its cabin uses quality materials and intuitive tech that rival larger, pricier rivals, while the ride remains smooth and comfortable in daily driving. On the road, its composed handling and responsive power delivery give it a confidence that few small sedans can match, especially at its price point.
For shoppers looking for a luxury badge, sophisticated feel, and comfortable experience, without stepping into full-size pricing territory, this model delivers. It’s proof that premium refinement and sensible value can coexist in a compact sedan.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA.
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Audi packs the A3 with high-end features at a reasonable price
Lower prices don’t mean less luxury
If you’re on a budget, but you’re looking to get behind the wheel of a luxury car, then you’re likely at least looking at the compact sedan segment. There are a lot of affordable options here, but many make compromises that will make you feel like you should’ve just got a high-trim mainstream car instead. Audi, however, has got it right with their A3. It may not be the cheapest, but it’s value for money is through the roof.
2026 Audi A3 trims and pricing
Model
Starting MSRP
Premium
$40,100
Premium Plus
$43,000
Premium Plus S Line
$45,700
The Audi A3 starts at just above the $40,000 mark. If you’ve been shopping around, you’ll know that there are a couple other options in this segment that start a little lower. However, finding the cost-cutting measures in a lot of these cheaper alternatives isn’t a difficult task. Audi doesn’t compromise when it comes to build quality and comfort, and the A3 feels every bit as luxurious as some larger, more expensive models in the brand’s lineup.
We actually think opting for the base model is the way to go. The Premium model comes with a ton of desirable standard features without a price that feels too inflated. We’d also grab the $1,500 Convenience Package, as it adds the features that you’d actually want from the Premium Plus model without the expensive bloat. The package includes adaptive cruise control, a memory seat function, blind-spot monitoring, and a wireless charging pad.
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High-tech features and plush materials shine in the A3’s cabin
Comfort without compromise
Credit: Audi
Audi has really gotten things right when it comes to the trickle down of features through its lineup. The A3 may be the smallest and most affordable model the brand sells, but it doesn’t feel like the German automaker has skimped on features or comfort. They have also always had a knack for getting technology in cars right. We will admit, though, that space is a little tight on the inside.
2026 Audi A3 interior comfort
Front row headroom
36.8 inches
Front row legroom
41.2 inches
Second row headroom
36.6 inches
Second row legroom
35.2 inches
Cargo capacity
10.9 cubic feet
Practicality is probably the A3’s biggest weakness. It is a very small car on the inside. If you’re on the tall side, you might find the headroom in the cabin too cramped for your liking. Legroom up front is more than ample, but passengers relegated to the back seats are going to feel a little squished. The trunk is also fairly small, but it should be enough for a grocery haul or a couple weekend bags.
Now that the negatives are out of the way, we can move on to the fantastic design of the cabin. The dashboard is nicely laid out, and doesn’t rely on a massive gimmicky curved screen to feel upscale. The seating position is great, and the leather seats are exceptionally comfortable. There are plenty of other upscale features included as standard, including tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power-operated sunroof.
Infotainment and technology
As we mentioned above, the A3 hasn’t gone the way of a single-panel, dual-screen setup like a lot of other luxury cars. Instead, it features a 10.1-inch touchscreen fitted into the dashboard, tilted slightly to face the driver. This pairs with a standard 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though a 12.3-inch unit that can display navigation data is optional on from the Premium Plus model up.
Things like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, obviously, standard. The infotainment system also allows you to download third-party apps, like Spotify and Youtube, which negates some of the need for smartphone mirroring. A six-speaker sound system is standard and gets the job done, though audiophiles might want to upgrade to the 15-speaker Sonos sound system instead.
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The A3 delivers a smooth ride, but knows how to be quick and playful too
Quiet, comfortable, and fun
Credit: Audi
One of the biggest reasons that people buy luxury cars is that they want something that can cruise quietly and smoothly. Audi achieves just that with the A3, out-classing a lot of its rivals in this segment. As well as knowing when to feel lavish, the A3 also has a playful attitude when you’re looking to push through backroads.
2026 Audi A3 performance
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Horsepower
201 HP
Torque
236 LB-FT
Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
6 seconds
Top speed
127 MPH
While other markets get the A3 with a number of different powertrains, every North American model comes with the same turbocharged four-pot under the hood. Audi tweaked the engine fairly recently, pushing torque up by a small amount. This engine pairs with smooth and sporty dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s signature all-wheel drive system.
The A3 definitely achieves its goal of being comfortable. The ride quality in this little sedan is pretty great, with it able to soak up most bumps and imperfections in the road without any complaints. It might not be a proper sports sedan, but it has enough character to keep it from ever feeling dull. It is agile and responds quickly to inputs, which makes it a lot of fun to drive through corners.
If you’re looking for something a little more performance-oriented, we highly recommend checking out the S3, which features a 328-horsepower setup instead.
Fuel economy
Model
City
Highway
Combined
Turbo
24 MPG
34 MPG
28 MPG
Some rivals in this segment, like the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe or the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, do manage to outperform the A3 when it comes to overall efficiency. The margin isn’t massive, but an extra mile or two per gallon does add up over time. Highway driving is not the A3’s problem, with its efficiency rating on longer trips being pretty high. In the city, though, the small luxury sedan does fall behind a little bit.
