2018 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV
- 4-door Compact Passenger Car
- Front Wheel Drive
- Base MSRP: $39,500.00
- Invoice: $36,736.00
- Hwy MPG: N/A mpg
- City MPG: N/A mpg
pros
Compact size; upscale feel; clean styling; available all-wheel drive; three body styles, including convertible; hybrid model; high-performance S3; even higher performance RS3
model highlights
The Audi A3 is offered as a sedan, convertible, or 5-door Sportback. Power comes from a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Audi A3 sends power to all four wheels via quattro all-wheel drive, though front-wheel-drive versions are available as well. A high-performance version of this same engine powers the Audi S3, where it makes 292 horsepower--enough to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The RS3 comes only as an all-wheel drive sedan, and is powered by a 2.5L turbocharged 5-cylinder engine that makes an almost-unbelievable 400 horsepower.
Finally, the A3 Sportback e-tron hybrid utilizes an electric motor that makes 102 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, plus a 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine capable of 150 horsepower. When combined, the two powerplants make 204 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful hybrids available. The Sportback e-tron can drive on purely electric power for about 17 miles.
The Audi A3 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. The Premium trim includes leather seating with heated front seats, a panoramic glass sunroof, bi-xenon automatic headlights, power adjustable side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12-way power adjustable driver's seat, rearview camera and parking sensors, "Alu-optic" interior trim, heated mirrors and washer nozzles, twin USB power/data ports, and a 10-speaker sound system with a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
A convenience package adds keyless start, stop and entry, as well as Audi's music interface and better smartphone integration. The sport package on the other hand, adds sportier front seat, a driving mode selector and a flat bottom steering wheel with shift paddles. A sport suspension is also available that reduces the ride height by 15 mm.
The Premium Plus trim adds 18-inch wheels, aluminum interior accents, Audi side assist, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and keyless entry. The Prestige package, meanwhile, includes everything in Premium Plus, as well as an S-line exterior body kit, a navigation system, Audi connect and LED headlights.
Option packages on the Premium Plus include a technology package that features Audi Connect PRIME and PLUS, a navigation system, Audi's side assist system with rear traffic alert and what Audi calls their "virtual cockpit," which is a digital display in the instrument cluster featuring a view of the road ahead as well as plenty of relevant driving information.
The RS3 is, in its way, a separate beast. Besides the tremendous engine, the RS3 comes with a unique red-stitched Nappa leather interior as well as 19" 5-arm wheels, full LED headlamps, RS-specific fascias and diffuser and magnetic ride suspension.
Safety features on all the A3 models include anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control and a tire pressure monitoring system. Airbags include advanced driver and passenger front airbags, knee airbags, thorax side airbags as well as side curtain airbags. An anti-theft alarm system comes standard, while Active Lane Assist, Audi Pre-Sense automatic braking and adaptive cruise control are all optional on the A3 Prestige.
model news
The Audi A3 returns for 2018 with few changes. Heated front seats are standard, as are dual USB ports for data and charging. The A3 Premium Plus trim now features standard Audi side assist, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system is available. The S3 now includes an optional S sport package, with red brake calipers and Audi magnetic ride. An even higher-performing RS3 sedan becomes available this year.
value writeup
The Audi A3 competes against other compact premium cars such as the BMW 2-Series, the Mercedes CLA and, to a lesser extent, the MINI Cooper. In past decades, owning a small car meant dealing with little more than bare bones transportation. These days, though, owners of small cars need not be deprived of anything, and the A3 looks to continue that trend by offering a vehicle with a small footprint but with luxury-car performance and amenities. The A3 starts under $32,000.
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Vehicle
| Emissions | |
| Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year | N/A |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | N/A |
| Vehicle | |
| EPA Classification | Compact Cars |
Powertrain
| Transmission | |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Trans Type | 6 |
| Trans Description Cont. | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD |
| First Gear Ratio (:1) | 3.50 |
| Second Gear Ratio (:1) | 2.77 |
| Third Gear Ratio (:1) | 1.85 |
| Fourth Gear Ratio (:1) | 1.02 |
| Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) | 1.02 |
| Sixth Gear Ratio (:1) | 0.84 |
| Reverse Ratio (:1) | 2.86 |
| Clutch Size | N/A |
| Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1) | 3.75 |
| Mileage | |
| EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy | N/A |
| Cruising Range - City | N/A |
| EPA Fuel Economy Est - City | N/A |
| Fuel Economy Est-Combined | 36 MPG |
| Cruising Range - Hwy | N/A |
| EPA MPG Equivalent - City | N/A |
| EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy | N/A |
| EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined | 83 |
| Battery Range | 16 mi |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-4 |
| Displacement | 1.4 L/85 |
| Fuel System | Gasoline Direct Injection |
| SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM | 204 @ 5000 |
| SAE Net Torque @ RPM | 258 |
| Electrical | |
| Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary) | N/A |
| Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps) | N/A |
| Cooling System | |
| Total Cooling System Capacity | N/A |
Dimensions
| Interior Dimensions | |
| Passenger Capacity | 5 |
| Passenger Volume | N/A |
| Front Head Room | 38.7 in |
| Front Leg Room | 41.2 in |
| Front Shoulder Room | 54.8 in |
| Front Hip Room | N/A |
| Second Head Room | 37.5 in |
| Second Leg Room | 35.4 in |
| Second Shoulder Room | 52.9 in |
| Second Hip Room | N/A |
| Exterior Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 in |
| Length, Overall | 169.7 in |
| Width, Max w/o mirrors | 70.3 in |
| Height, Overall | 56.1 in |
| Track Width, Front | 60.7 in |
| Track Width, Rear | 59.6 in |
| Min Ground Clearance | N/A |
| Liftover Height | N/A |
| Cargo Area Dimensions | |
| Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up | 13.6 ft³ |
| Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down | 33.7 ft³ |
| Trunk Volume | N/A |
Chassis
| Weight Information | |
| Base Curb Weight | 3616 lbs |
| Trailering | |
| Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. | N/A |
| Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. | N/A |
| Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. | N/A |
| Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. | N/A |
| Suspension | |
| Suspension Type - Front | Strut |
| Suspension Type - Rear | Multi-Link |
| Suspension Type - Front (Cont.) | Strut |
| Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.) | Multi-Link |
| Shock Absorber Diameter - Front | N/A |
| Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear | N/A |
| Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front | N/A |
| Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear | N/A |
| Tires | |
| Front Tire Size | P225/45HR17 |
| Rear Tire Size | P225/45HR17 |
| Wheels | |
| Front Wheel Size | 17 X 7.5 in |
| Rear Wheel Size | 17 X 7.5 in |
| Front Wheel Material | Aluminum |
| Rear Wheel Material | Aluminum |
| Steering | |
| Steering Type | Rack-Pinion |
| Steering Ratio (:1), Overall | N/A |
| Lock to Lock Turns (Steering) | N/A |
| Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb | 35.8 ft |
| Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall | N/A |
| Brakes | |
| Brake Type | 4-Wheel Disc |
| Brake ABS System | 4-Wheel |
| Brake ABS System (Second Line) | N/A |
| Disc - Front (Yes or ) | Yes |
| Disc - Rear (Yes or ) | Yes |
| Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness | 12.3 in |
| Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness | 10.7 in |
| Fuel Tank | |
| Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx | 10.6 gal |
| Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx | N/A |
Warranty Information
Basic:
4 Years/50,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
4 Years/50,000 Miles
Corrosion:
12 Years/Unlimited Miles
Hybrid/Electric Components:
8 Years/100,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance:
4 Years/Unlimited Miles
Maintenance:
1 Years/10,000 Miles
Recall Information
US NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V474000
Mfg's Report Date:
JUN 18, 2019
Component:
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Potential Number Of Units Affected:
138896
Summary:
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Consequence:
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy:
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
Dates of Manufacture:
JUL 12, 2015 to AUG 21, 2018
Manufacturer Recall Number:
69Z4
US NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
21V198000
Mfg's Report Date:
MAR 21, 2021
Component:
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
Potential Number Of Units Affected:
153152
Summary:
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Consequence:
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy:
The remedy program is still in development. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 21, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
Manufacturer Recall Number:
69BY
Rebate Information
Sorry there are no rebates or incentives currently available.