The 2016 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V) is the best A3 model year, with the 2017 at #2 and the 2015 at #3. The 2016 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating, rates 27 combined mpg and started at $30,900.
A 4.6 KBB.com rating, 32 combined mpg and no recalls
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2016 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V)
Lowest price Top Safety Pick+
2015 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V)
Newest award winner
2022 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)
Lowest original price
2013 Audi A3 2.0T Sportback (8P)
The ranking
1
2016 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V)
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe A3 to buy.
Powertrain: 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (1.8T), 6-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (with optional front crash prevention)KBB.com rating: 4.7 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $30,900 MSRP (1.8T Premium sedan)EPA fuel economy: 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 3 recalls and 114 owner complaints listed for the 2016 A3
The 2016 A3 sedan is an 8V-generation car with the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 6-speed automatic. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with optional front crash prevention, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating and rates 27 combined mpg. It started at $30,900, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 114 owner complaints for the 2016 A3.
Go ifA Top Safety Pick+ with the highest KBB.com rating on the list at the lowest price of the two 4.7-rated years
Skip ifYou want 29 combined mpg (2017 and later)
Why #1 over #2: It started at $30,900 versus $31,200 for the 2017 A3, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 4.7 KBB.com rating.
2
2017 Audi A3 Sedan 2.0T (8V)
Photo: OWS Photography / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe facelift pick.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (with specific headlights)KBB.com rating: 4.7 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $31,200 MSRP (2.0T Premium sedan)EPA fuel economy: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 2 recalls and 36 owner complaints listed for the 2017 A3
The 2017 A3 sedan is the first facelifted 8V year, with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 7-speed automatic. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with specific headlights, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating and rates 29 combined mpg. It started at $31,200, and NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 2017 A3.
Go ifThe first facelifted year, with a Top Safety Pick+, a 4.7 KBB.com rating and 29 combined mpg
Skip ifYou want the lowest price of the 4.7-rated years (2016: $30,900)
Why #2 over #3: It has a 4.7 KBB.com rating versus 3.8 for the 2015 A3, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
3
2015 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V)
Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first 8V year.
Powertrain: 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (1.8T), 6-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (with optional front crash prevention)KBB.com rating: 3.8 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $29,900 MSRP (1.8T Premium sedan)EPA fuel economy: 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 2 recalls and 180 owner complaints listed for the 2015 A3
The 2015 A3 sedan is the first 8V year, with the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with optional front crash prevention, has a 3.8 KBB.com rating and rates 27 combined mpg. It started at $29,900, the lowest of the Top Safety Pick+ years, and NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 180 owner complaints for the 2015 A3.
Go ifThe lowest original price of the Top Safety Pick+ years
Skip ifYou want a higher KBB.com rating (2016: 4.7)
Why #3 over #4: It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ versus the Top Safety Pick for the 2018 A3.
4
2018 Audi A3 Sedan 2.0T (8V)
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe value facelift.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)KBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $31,950 MSRP (2.0T Premium sedan)EPA fuel economy: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 2 recalls and 44 owner complaints listed for the 2018 A3
The 2018 A3 sedan is a facelifted 8V car with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick with specific headlights, has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and rates 29 combined mpg. It started at $31,950, and NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2018 A3.
Go ifThe lowest price of the four 4.6-rated Top Safety Pick years
Skip ifYou want the Top Safety Pick+ (2015, 2016 or 2017)
Why #4 over #5: It started at $31,950 versus $32,500 for the 2019 A3, with the same IIHS award and KBB.com rating.
5
2019 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8V)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 2019 A3.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)KBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $32,500 MSRP (Premium 40 TFSI sedan)EPA fuel economy: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 3 recalls and 12 owner complaints listed for the 2019 A3
The 2019 A3 sedan is a facelifted 8V car with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick with specific headlights, has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and rates 29 combined mpg. It started at $32,500, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2019 A3.
Go ifA 4.6 KBB.com rating and 29 combined mpg with 12 owner complaints listed
Skip ifYou want a lower price (2018: $31,950)
Why #5 over #6: It started at $32,500 versus $34,800 for the 2022 A3, with the same IIHS award and KBB.com rating.
6
2022 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first 8Y.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights); updated side test rated MarginalKBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $34,800 MSRP (Premium 40 TFSI sedan)EPA fuel economy: 29 city / 38 highway / 32 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 6 recalls and 0 owner complaints listed for the 2022 A3
The 2022 A3 sedan is the first 8Y year, rating 32 combined mpg with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick with specific headlights, though its updated side test is rated Marginal. It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and started at $34,800, and NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 0 owner complaints for the 2022 A3.
Go ifThe first 8Y year, with 32 combined mpg
Skip ifYou want fewer recalls (2023: 2)
Why #6 over #7: It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating versus 3.7 for the 2013 A3, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick.
7
2013 Audi A3 2.0T Sportback (8P)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 8P pick.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (2.0T), 6-speed manual, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety PickKBB.com rating: 3.7 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $27,270 MSRP (2.0T Premium wagon, 6-speed manual)EPA fuel economy: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 3 recalls and 20 owner complaints listed for the 2013 A3
The 2013 A3 is an 8P-generation Sportback with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 6-speed manual, rating 24 combined mpg. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick and has a 3.7 KBB.com rating. It started at $27,270, the lowest here, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2013 A3.
Go ifThe lowest original price on the list, from the 8P generation
Skip ifYou want 29 combined mpg (2017 or later)
Why #7 over #8: It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick, while the 2020 A3 has no IIHS award listed.
8
2020 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8V)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last 8V sedan.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: Small overlap, moderate overlap, side and roof strength rated Good; headlights Acceptable or Poor by trimKBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $33,300 MSRP (Premium 40 TFSI sedan)EPA fuel economy: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 3 recalls and 16 owner complaints listed for the 2020 A3
The 2020 A3 sedan is the last 8V year, rating 30 combined mpg with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. IIHS rates its headlights Acceptable or Poor by trim and lists no award for it. It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and started at $33,300, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2020 A3.
Go ifThe last 8V year, with 30 combined mpg
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award (2018 or 2019)
Why #8 over #9: It started at $33,300 versus $35,400 for the 2023 A3, with the same KBB.com rating and no IIHS award listed.
9
2023 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 2023 A3.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: Small overlap, moderate overlap and roof strength rated Good; updated side test rated MarginalKBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $35,400 MSRP (Premium 40 TFSI sedan)EPA fuel economy: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints listed for the 2023 A3
The 2023 A3 sedan is an 8Y-generation car with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 7-speed automatic, rating 32 combined mpg. IIHS lists no award for it and rates the updated side test Marginal. It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and started at $35,400, and NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints for the 2023 A3.
Go if32 combined mpg and 2 recalls with no owner complaints listed
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award (2022)
Why #9 over #10: It started at $35,400 versus $35,800 for the 2024 A3, with the same KBB.com rating and no IIHS award listed.
10
2024 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNo IIHS award.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 7-speed automatic, front-wheel driveIIHS rating: No IIHS award listed; updated side test rated MarginalKBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $35,800 MSRP (Premium 40 TFSI sedan)EPA fuel economy: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 0 recalls and 2 owner complaints listed for the 2024 A3
The 2024 A3 sedan is an 8Y car rating 32 combined mpg with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating, but IIHS lists no award for it and rates its updated side test Marginal. It started at $35,800, and NHTSA lists 0 recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2024 A3.
Go ifA 4.6 KBB.com rating, 32 combined mpg and no recalls
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award (2022)
How we ranked these
We ranked each Audi A3 model year on ratings that are comparable year to year: the IIHS award first (Top Safety Pick+ above Top Safety Pick above no award), then the KBB.com rating for that model year, with original MSRP breaking ties in favor of the lower price. NHTSA recall and complaint counts are shown on every pick but do not set the order, because counts depend on sales volume and years on the road. Each count is NHTSA's total for the A3 name only, so the A3 e-tron, Cabriolet and Sportback names that NHTSA lists separately are not included. Generations are the Wikipedia type codes: 8P, 8V and 8Y. Prices are the starting front-wheel-drive MSRP from iSeeCars listings, and mpg is from fueleconomy.gov for that base gasoline powertrain, so plug-in hybrids and diesels are not charted. Photos: Wikimedia Commons pictures of the same generation and body. The 2015 pick shows a 2015 A3 sedan at an auto show, the 2016 pick a pre-facelift 8V sedan and the 2017 pick a facelifted 8V sedan. The 2018 pick shows a 2018 A3 sedan, the 2019 pick a 2019 A3 quattro, the 2020 pick a facelifted 8V 40 TFSI sedan and the 2013 pick an A3 Sportback of the same body. The 2022, 2023 and 2024 picks show 8Y 40 TFSI sedans of the same body. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Audi A3 model year to buy used?
The 2016 A3 sedan: it earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating and started at $30,900.
Which Audi A3 model year has no IIHS award?
The 2024 A3 is the only year here with no IIHS award listed; its updated side test is rated Marginal.
How much did a new Audi A3 cost?
The cheapest here was the 2013 A3 2.0T Premium wagon at $27,270, and the newest, the 2024 A3 Premium 40 TFSI sedan, was $35,800.
Which Audi A3 gets the best gas mileage here?
The 2022, 2023 and 2024 A3 sedans, at 32 combined mpg each.
EPA combined fuel economy at a glance
2013 Audi A3 2.0T Sportback (8P)24 mpg
2015 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V)27 mpg
2016 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T (8V)27 mpg
2017 Audi A3 Sedan 2.0T (8V)29 mpg
2018 Audi A3 Sedan 2.0T (8V)29 mpg
2019 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8V)29 mpg
2020 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8V)30 mpg
2022 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)32 mpg
2023 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)32 mpg
2024 Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI (8Y)32 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
