MSRP: $34,295 - $42,695
7.6 /10
Rating
Pros
- Quattro Boosts Everyday Punch
- Virtual Cockpit Looks Stunning
- Build Quality Feels Vault-Like
Cons
- Key Safety Requires Upcharge
- Pop-Up Screen Feels Ancient
- Rear Legroom Stays Tight
2020 Audi A3 review with Vyocar
That pop-up infotainment screen feels like a retro-futuristic party trick, the last of its kind before modern screens went flat and boring.
Overview
Look, if you want a taste of German luxury without maxing out the credit card, this little sedan (or hatchback if you found one!) is your affordable ticket. Originally hitting the scene back in the 2006 model year, the 2020 version was actually the last of its generation before a redesigned new one took over. Don’t call it discontinued yet – this current A3 still has serious game. Think of it as Audi’s smallest player, shares its solid platform with the Volkswagen Golf, and goes head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz A-class. It’s a similar formula seen in models like the Volkswagen Arteon, offering sleek design and surprising refinement.
Under the hood, it’s peppy enough for daily driving enjoyment – sure, FWD is standard, but spring for Quattro AWD and the acceleration feels genuinely spunky, with handling that’s surprisingly sharp for its role in the lineup. Step inside, and that cabin punches way above its brand weight – build quality feels rock-solid, far nicer than its rivals. You get a slick digital gauge cluster (Audi calls it Virtual Cockpit, it’s awesome) and a crisp central screen.
The infotainment system works well, though the optional motorized pop-up screen feels a bit last-decade tech now. It inherits that classic Audi styling too – clean, modern, with that signature trapezoidal grille up front. Yeah, base models might feel a bit shortchanged on features compared to flashier variants (remember the plug-in A3 E-Tron?), but as an accessible entry point offering luxury feel and enjoyment without the premium price tag? For buyers wanting substance, it absolutely nailed its key role in the market.
What’s New for 2020
Okay, let’s be real: calling the 2020 A3 “all-new” would be like putting a fresh coat of Quantum Gray on your grandma’s Audi – charming, but underneath, it’s the same platform we’ve known. Think of this year as the Final Edition send-off before the next-gen hit dealers. Audi basically said, “Fine, you want more stuff? Here!” So, the big news was stuffing previously optional gear into the base Premium trim. Suddenly, you got actual leather seats (no more sad cloth), snazzier aluminum alloy wheels, and heated front seats – because frozen buns suck.
Premium Plus models upped the ante with cool ambient lighting, power-folding side mirrors (with cute puddle lights projecting the Audi logo, very theater), and key safety tech like Blind-spot monitoring and Side and Rear Cross Traffic Assist (your hero when backing out of crowded Trader Joe’s). Want Magma Red exterior? Now you could. Inside, the dashboard gained a slicker black trim, aluminum door sills with badges, and USB charging ports finally joined the party. The motorized pop-up screen soldiered on (feeling its age), but you could still blow cash on the Bang & Olufsen audio system – because the base stereo sounded a bit tinny.
Sadly, the drop-top cabriolet and the S3 hot hatch got the discontinued badge this year. They also offered specific Final Edition packages loaded with Sport badging, unique wheels, flat-bottomed steering wheels with paddle shifters (for when you’re pretending it’s an S3), and bucket seats. It was Audi’s way of making this generation bow out with a bit more luxury glitter before the redesign. Not revolutionary, but definitely less shortchanged feeling for the money.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Pick
If you want more flair, step up to the Prestige trim and get the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, a touch of luxury that tricks your ears into thinking you paid $45,795 instead of $34,295. But even if you’re just going for the Sport-minded Premium starting at $36,595, the features, balance, and general performance still hold up nicely against the larger A4 and the rest of the model range-topping at $42,695. Bottom line: it’s not a game-changer, but for buyers looking for value without feeling basic, this update checks the right boxes.
Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics
Every 2020 A3 rocks the same 2.0-liter turbo-four under the hood – no higher-powered engine surprises here. Output? A perfectly respectable 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Paired exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) automatic transmission, it’s standard fare. Now, does it feel powerful? Nah, think peppy – it gets this small sedan to 60 mph in a claimed 5.5 seconds, which is totally adequate for merging or escaping a dull conversation. Base FWD (front-wheel drive) models feel… fine. Adequate. Like lukewarm coffee.
But spring for the optional Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and things get tangibly better. Suddenly, you’ve got genuine all-weather assurance and way less wheelspin when you punch it off the line – the AWD just hooks up. The DSG transmission is generally smooth and quick in daily driving, snapping off shifts crisply, though it can get a bit hesitant in stop-and-go traffic (a common dual-clutch characteristic). Steering is precise but light on feedback – you steer it, you don’t feel it like in some siblings. It’s not telepathic like a Mazda Miata, but it gets the job done with clean accuracy.
The chassis, however, is composed and refined. The ride is firm but never crashy, handling bumps with assurance that shames many inexpensive cars. It feels planted, capable, and genuinely enjoyable on a twisty backroad without being a high-performance track weapon. Think “confident commuter” rather than “S3 lite.” Driving modes exist (spoiler: you’ll probably leave it in Comfort or Auto), but the core takeaway is refined competence, not fire-breathing potency. It’s German engineering doing what it does best: making driving feel effortlessly composed, not unlike the poise you’d expect from something like the Volkswagen Golf R in a more accessible package.
Fuel Efficiency and Real World Testing
Fuel economy is genuinely impressive for a luxury compact, especially with that peppy 2.0L turbocharged engine. EPA-estimated numbers sit at 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 combined for the front-wheel-drive variant – solid expectations on paper. In our real-world test, mixing daily city streets choked with stop-and-go traffic and open highway stretches, it returned a very respectable average hovering around 29.5 mpg. Cruising steadily at highway speeds, mindfully driven, we even saw 33.2 mpg over longer stretches. That level of efficiency isn’t far off from what you’d expect in something like the Lexus UX 300h, which makes the numbers even more impressive for a non-hybrid turbo setup.
Sure, AC load in warmer weather or a driver with a quick right foot doing frequent merges will start hurting those numbers, and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system naturally dips efficiency a bit. But overall, the 7-speed DSG transmission is key here – its crisp, quick shifts keep the engine in its sweet spot, making this A3 a surprisingly economical daily commuter. You get performance without constantly eyeing the gauge; confidence comes from knowing a full tank of regular unleaded goes further than you might think for something this responsive and planted. Even performance-leaning compacts like the Elantra N Line would tip their hat to that blend of fun and frugality. Habits vary, but it consistently exceeded our initial expectations for real-world mileage in a fun, comfortable small luxury sedan.
Interior and Comfort
Step inside the 2020 A3, and the interior instantly shames most rivals. Forget “economy” car vibes – this cockpit feels legitimately premium. The build quality is fantastic, with materials that feel expensive and secure (zero cheap creaks or rattles, even on bumpy back roads). Sure, it shares its platform with the Volkswagen Golf, but the execution here is high-level luxury. The design is sleek and driver-focused; everything you touch – the steering wheel, knobs, buttons – has a satisfying, quality heft. Front seats? Supportive and comfortable even on long highway drives. The rear seats? Well… it’s a compact sedan. Space is tight, especially for tall adults – knees might catch the front seatbacks. It brings a level of finish and layout that even rivals the Lexus IS 350 F Sport in terms of cabin polish and driver-centric design.
Think “fine for groceries or grudging in-laws,” not proper limo service. Noise isolation is excellent at highway speeds, feeling secure and refined. Tech-wise, the digital gauge cluster (Virtual Cockpit) is a real highlight – crisp, convenient, and customizable. The central motorized pop-up screen feels dated now (a problem since 2015), running older software; the navigation system isn’t the fastest, and the base audio is merely okay. Splurge for the Bang & Olufsen upgrade if you care. Trunk space is small but usable. Doors shut with a solid thunk – evidence of that rock-solid German build. It’s the kind of interior experience that even top-spec non-German sedans like the Mazda 6 Signature aim for but rarely match in tactile feedback and materials. It’s the interior that makes you glad you bought (or leased) an Audi, not just a fancier Golf.
Cargo & Practicality
Look, nobody buys an A3 expecting minivan room, but let’s get real about cargo and passenger limits. That trunk offers 12.3 cubic feet of volume – enough for a week’s groceries or two carry-ons, but trying to cram a full-size stroller back there feels like playing Tetris on expert mode. Need more space? The second-row seats fold down (60/40 split standard), letting you hold longer items like skis… provided you sacrifice a passenger. Speaking of the back row: leg room is a tight 35.1 inches – fine for kids or very tolerant friends under 5’9″, but knees will protest on longer trips. Headroom? 35.1 inches in the rear feels cozy if you’re over six feet tall. In terms of interior packaging, it’s not far off from the Lexus UX 250h, stylish and efficient, but not exactly a cargo hauler. Up front, it’s better (41.2 inches of leg room, 36.5 inches of headroom), but this is firmly a compact sedan, not its bigger A4 sibling. Those needing more stretch-out space might find the Volkswagen Jetta a more forgiving alternative for passengers and bags alike. It’s livable for two adults plus occasional rear riders, but daily hauling four full-size adults gets old fast. Pack light, pack smart, or look larger.
Tech & Connectivity
Let’s talk about the 2020 A3’s infotainment setup – it’s a weird mix of excellent and “seriously?”. The star is the optional Virtual Cockpit: a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster replacing analog dials with crisp, customizable maps (navigation!), media, or driving data. It’s gorgeous and genuinely innovative. The center stack, though? That’s where things get wonky. Audi stuck with the older motorized pop-up 7.0-inch display that rises slowly from the dashboard like a relic from 2015. It’s the kind of contrast you wouldn’t expect in something like the Hyundai Veloster N, which feels more consistent in its tech layout even if it’s a bit more raw overall.
It runs Audi’s MMI system via a rotary knob and physical buttons (bless them for real knobs!). While functional, the graphics feel dated, the voice recognition is clunky (“Call Mike” often triggered “Dialling Nyke”), and the software lacks modern Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration as standard (it was finally added for 2020, thank goodness!). Bluetooth pairing is simple, and you get USB ports and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
Base models have a nine-speaker audio system – fine for podcasts. Premium Plus trims offered the Bang & Olufsen upgraded sound system (a 14-speaker, 705-watt monster), which is fantastic for audiophiles. Want built-in nav? You’ll likely need a dealer-installed SD card package – skip it and use your phone’s Google Maps via CarPlay. Climate controls sit lower, using simple knobs and buttons – easy to use while driving. Overall, the tech features feel like two different cars mashed together: cutting-edge in the cockpit, last-gen in the center console.
Safety
Let’s cut to the chase: the 2020 A3 earned a solid five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) gave it Good scores in most crashworthiness categories – their highest honor. That’s the good news. But? Its headlights scored Poor (base HID units) and Acceptable (upgraded LEDs), costing it the Top Safety Pick award – a real bummer.
Now, standard safety features were pretty bare-bones on the base Premium trim: you got automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and forward-collision warning (thankfully!). Want actual modern driver-assistance tech? That required stepping up to Premium Plus or adding the extra-cost Driver Assistance package.
Suddenly, you’d get blind-spot monitoring, Side and Rear Cross Traffic Assist (lifesavers in parking lots), lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams (high-beam assist). Adaptive cruise control (with vehicle-to-vehicle communication tech) and self-parking (advanced park assist) were also optional extras bundled in that pricey package. Bottom line: the core crash test scores inspire confidence, but Audi made you pay extra for the key active safety features that rivals started making standard. Feels a bit shortchanged for a luxury brand, doesn’t it?
Warranty and Maintenance Plan
You get a four-year/50,000-mile Limited warranty out of the box, which lines up neatly with what BMW offers on the 2-Series and most others in this class. On paper, it’s decent. In practice, it’s what you’d call the industry’s way of saying “we’re not better, but we’re not worse either.” Now, here’s where it stumbles, maintenance isn’t included. Unlike BMW, which throws in three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance like it’s no big deal, or even Acura giving you some cover on the ILX, Audis leave you paying for that oil change like it’s a luxury subscription. The powertrain warranty still holds at four years, not the six or 70,000 miles you’d find with a few other brands that care a bit more about long-term value. Bottom line? Audi’s warranty setup is solid but uninspired, kind of like ordering the regular fries when curly fries are clearly on the menu.
See Also: 2017 Audi S8
More images of the 2020 Audi A3
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