2017 Audi A3

Change year or vehicle
$20,044 — $38,817 NEW and USED Shop local deals
(4.8) 24 reviews
SAVE
2017 Audi A3
View Trim View Local Inventory
Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
Compare
Back to top
Local Inventory
View Trim View Local Inventory

Key Specs

of the 2017 Audi A3. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Sedan See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    25-29 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    186-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 (premium)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    7-speed auto-shift manual w/OD and auto-manual
  • View more specs

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Strong acceleration
  • Excellent ride quality
  • Rich interior materials
  • Audi refinement
  • Standard leather upholstery
  • Standard panoramic moonroof

The Bad

  • Styling update barely noticeable
  • Snug backseat
  • Numb steering feel
  • Quattro all-wheel drive eats into trunk room
  • Options quickly make it expensive
  • Torquey diesel variant canceled

Notable Features of the 2017 Audi A3

  • Turbocharged four-cylinder engines (no more diesel)
  • Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
  • Sedan or convertible bodystyle
  • Standard dual-clutch automatic transmission
  • Standard dual-clutch automatic transmission

2017 Audi A3 Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

Audi's entry-level sedan and convertible get a mild update for the 2017 model year, bringing some new styling, additional features and a simplification of powertrains to the luxury car's lineup. Changes are coming to the A3 sedan, A3 Cabriolet convertible and S3 performance sedan in October, but the A3 Sportback e-tron hybrid will continue on unchanged; it will get its own updates at a later date.
ExteriorFrom the outside, not much has changed. The front end is slightly revised with new undercut headlights and a larger Singleframe grille, while the back end gets new LED taillights and an updated bumper and diffuser for the Cabriolet. The S3 gets a slightly different grille with additional bars, while Premium Plus and Prestige trims get a standard S-Line appearance package. Out back, the A3 and A3 Cabriolet get dual exhaust, while the A3 continues with a quad-outlet exhaust system.
InteriorInside, changes are mostly to the vehicles' electronics. Audi's virtual cockpit is now optional, which replaces the gauge cluster with an LCD display screen like the one seen in the new R8, TT and A4 models. Unlike the TT and R8, however, the system will retain the retractable display screen in the dash, allowing passengers to use the system as well.

Two new connectivity options are available: Audi Connect Prime, which brings remote services like Google Earth, traffic and route guidance info, online travel info, internet radio and Twitter alerts, and the add...

Vehicle Overview

Audi's entry-level sedan and convertible get a mild update for the 2017 model year, bringing some new styling, additional features and a simplification of powertrains to the luxury car's lineup. Changes are coming to the A3 sedan, A3 Cabriolet convertible and S3 performance sedan in October, but the A3 Sportback e-tron hybrid will continue on unchanged; it will get its own updates at a later date.
ExteriorFrom the outside, not much has changed. The front end is slightly revised with new undercut headlights and a larger Singleframe grille, while the back end gets new LED taillights and an updated bumper and diffuser for the Cabriolet. The S3 gets a slightly different grille with additional bars, while Premium Plus and Prestige trims get a standard S-Line appearance package. Out back, the A3 and A3 Cabriolet get dual exhaust, while the A3 continues with a quad-outlet exhaust system.
InteriorInside, changes are mostly to the vehicles' electronics. Audi's virtual cockpit is now optional, which replaces the gauge cluster with an LCD display screen like the one seen in the new R8, TT and A4 models. Unlike the TT and R8, however, the system will retain the retractable display screen in the dash, allowing passengers to use the system as well.

Two new connectivity options are available: Audi Connect Prime, which brings remote services like Google Earth, traffic and route guidance info, online travel info, internet radio and Twitter alerts, and the additional Audi Connect Plus that adds 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity to the car.
Under the HoodThe A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet are powered by a 220-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, employing Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive. The smaller 1.8-liter engine and front-wheel-drive combination will be updated later in the year; for the car's initial launch, only the 2.0T engine and all-wheel-drive combination will be available. The S3 continues on with a more powerful version of this engine, making 292 hp and using the same transmission.
SafetyAudi has made some updates to the A3's available electronic safety equipment as well; the automaker's  radar-based forward collision warning and autonomous braking system is now standard. If a collision is imminent, the system will begin to close the windows and sunroof and pre-tighten the seat belts. In addition to a standard backup camera, Audi offers a full complement of optional safety systems, including active lane keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, adaptive full-speed cruise control, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.


View 11 Photos

Latest 2017 A3 Stories

See all 2017 Audi A3 articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.8
24 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.7)
Performance
(4.8)
Interior Design
(4.7)
Comfort
(4.8)
Reliability
(4.7)
Value For The Money
(4.4)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Its a good car for entry level

by Gokul811 from Frisco, TX on March 18, 2018

Good entry level car, but overall needs a better retaining of value from a depriciation perspective. Like the drive and speeds but needs a bit of upgrade on the engine. Interior needs to be improved ... Read full review

(5.0)

finally test drove the A3

by SusanG from Chicago, IL on February 12, 2018

I've always wanted to test drive an Audi and they are just beautiful - from the interior with all the attention to detail to the exterior - very clean lines which stand out. And great acceleration too... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2017 Audi A3 currently has 2 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2017 Audi A3 2.0T Premium

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Child Seat Anchors (Latch)

Ease of Use
acceptable

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
acceptable
Driver Torso
acceptable
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
good
Structure and Safety Cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Audi
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    48 months / 50,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    48 months / 50,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    48 months / unlimited distance

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    5 model years or newer/less than 60,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    1 year/unlimited miles after expiration of new vehicle limited warranty or from date of sale if the new vehicle limited warranty has expired

  • Powertrain warranty

    N/A

  • Dealer Certification Required

    300-plus-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

Change Year or Vehicle

Please select a Make

Please select a Model

Please select a Year

Update

All Model Years for the Audi A3

0 / 0 0 Photos
0 / 0

Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The A3 received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker