Premium compact with a quiet, upmarket cabin
By Adrian, Car Lease Deals UK · Updated 16 October 2026
Audi updated the 8Y A3 in 2024, and it is sold as the Sportback hatchback and the A3 Saloon. Under the bonnet are 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrols, a 2.0-litre diesel and a TFSI e plug-in hybrid. People buy it for a calm drive, a digital cockpit and a cabin that feels well finished.
A transparent score for the Audi A3, worked out from official UK figures, not opinion. Running costs and emissions compare it like for like: same class, same fuel and powertrain.
How we score cars16.6p a mile on the 30 TFSI 110 (47.9 mpg) at current UK prices, lower than 40% of petrol small family cars on sale
16% benefit-in-kind on the TFSI e 150, best in range for 2026/27
135 g/km on the 30 TFSI 110, lower than 64% of petrol small family cars on sale
380 litre standard boot (seats up)
0-62 mph in 7.4s on the TFSI e 150 (148 bhp)
4 powertrains: petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in
Score for the 2026/27 tax year. It updates automatically as fuel prices, energy prices and tax rates change. See the full method.
The cabin is the A3's argument, and it feels more expensive inside than a Golf. The boot is modest and the 30 TFSI engines are not quick, so those after pace should look higher up the range.
Our editorial view, separate from the data score above.
Pick a body style, engine and trim. Everything updates together, so you only see combinations that were actually offered.
Entry trim with the digital cockpit, LED headlights and the core driver assistance kit.
Boot 380 litres (1,200 litres seats folded), length 4,352mm. The five-door hatchback is the mainstream A3. A saloon with the same engines is also sold in the UK, and the S3 and RS 3 sit above these models.
| Engine | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 | Economy | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 TDI 150 | Diesel | 148 bhp | 360 Nm | 8.1s | 54.3 | 136 g/km |
| TFSI e 150 | Plug-in hybrid | 148 bhp | 350 Nm | 7.4s | 941.6 | 6 g/km |
| 30 TFSI 110 | Petrol | 108 bhp | 200 Nm | 10.6s | 47.9 | 135 g/km |
| 30 TFSI 116 | Hybrid | 114 bhp | 220 Nm | 9.9s | 52.3 | 124 g/km |
| 35 TFSI 150 | Hybrid | 148 bhp | 250 Nm | 8.1s | 50.4 | 128 g/km |
| 30 TFSI 116 manual | Petrol | 114 bhp | 220 Nm | 9.7s | 49.6 | 131 g/km |
| 35 TFSI 150 manual | Petrol | 148 bhp | 250 Nm | 8.4s | 47.1 | 136 g/km |
Official figures, checked October 2026.
Plug-in hybrid economy is the official WLTP weighted figure, which assumes the battery is charged regularly. With a flat battery a plug-in hybrid runs mostly on petrol, so real economy is much lower on long journeys. Electric economy is shown in miles per kWh.
Official WLTP combined figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency. Compare more cars in our economy league table.
Insurance groups and premiums vary by driver, location and history, so these are indicative bands only.
Yearly cost at 10,000 miles on official economy. Petrol 175.3p and diesel 200.0p a litre (UK average, week commencing 12 October 2026); electric 26.32p per kWh charged at home (1 October to 31 December 2026).
Road tax and company car tax on official CO2 figures at 2026/27 rates. The expensive car supplement and P11D value depend on the list price, which you enter in the calculators.
The 35 TDI 150 pairs 360Nm of torque with up to 54mpg, which suits higher-mileage motorway work.
Quiet road manners, a well-finished cabin and a digital cockpit make the A3 an easy car to live with every day.
The TFSI e plug-in hybrid has a 6 g/km CO2 figure, which puts it in a low benefit-in-kind band for company car drivers.
The 35 TFSI S tronic reaches 62mph in 8.1 seconds, enough for brisk everyday progress without paying for an S3.
How the main ways to fund a A3 compare. General guidance only, not financial advice or an offer.
Fixed monthly costs suit drivers who want a premium badge without taking on resale risk.
Common for new A3s, balancing lower monthly payments with an optional final payment.
A clear path to ownership, though monthly payments are higher than PCP.
Useful for short-term flexibility but usually dearer over the same period.
Used examples hold their value well, making a purchase after the first few years sensible.
Which works out cheaper depends on your annual mileage, how long you keep the car and whether you want to own it. Try the true cost of leasing calculator to compare.
Audi quotes 380 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1,200 litres with the seats folded, which is modest for the class.
The TFSI e plug-in hybrid has the lowest CO2 at 6 g/km, while the 35 TDI 150 diesel is the most economical conventional option at around 54mpg.
With the S tronic automatic, Audi quotes 0 to 62mph in 8.1 seconds, and 8.4 seconds for the six-speed manual.
Yes, all A3 models in this guide drive the front wheels. Quattro four-wheel drive is reserved for the S3 and RS 3.
It pairs a 150PS 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 204PS and 350Nm, and Audi quotes 0 to 62mph in 7.4 seconds.