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In-depth reviews

Audi A3 – MPG and running costs

Efficient and restrained in all matters. Even the top-rung petrol will comfortably manage 45mpg

Evo rating
RRP
from £28,650
  • Able chassis, low kerbweight, basic ergonomics are right
  • Ride and refinement severely lacking, interior quality a big step backwards

All A3s are impressively efficient, with even the most powerful 148bhp turbo petrol easily matching its 45mpg claimed rating. The base three-cylinder turbo petrol will lift this closer to 50mpg, but diesels are the most impressive on paper hitting 60mpg on long runs.

The A3 30TFSIe plug-in hybrid has even more impressive MPG and CO2 figures, but like all plug-ins is dramatically affected by the usage pattern and how often it’s charged. On paper, the TFSIe will do 282.2mpg, with a 31g/km CO2 rating. These will make for huge tax savings on company car schemes, even if owners are unlikely ever reach that figure on longer journeys. It's said to travel up to 41miles on a single charge though, meaning most short journeys will be able to be done on electric power.

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Running costs are otherwise par for the course in the class. Servicing and parts will be marginally more expensive than for non-premium rivals but, like Audi’s finance deals, have been designed to be more affordable than the premium badge would suggest. 

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