Audi A3 3-door Hatchback (2013–2020): The Last of the Slim, Sharp Hatches — Plus the Floor Mats That Actually Fit
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Audi A3 3-door hatchback. The proportions are clean, the doors are gloriously long, and when you catch its profile in a shop window, it still looks tidy and expensive. During a few winter weeks with one (1.8 TFSI, S line, big wheels), I remembered two things immediately: it feels more premium than most rivals, and yes, the ride can get a touch choppy on rough city streets. Still, the Audi A3 3-door has that classic “compact German hatch” charm you don’t really find anymore — and when you’re done carving B-roads, it’s quiet enough to hear your kids arguing about who touched whose charger in the back.
Sportback vs Hatchback: What’s the Real Difference on the Road?
The short version? Doors and space. The longer version: the Audi A3 Sportback stretches out with an elongated roofline and five doors, so it’s better for prams, passengers, and IKEA runs. The 3-door hatchback tightens the shape, looks cleaner, and feels that bit more playful in tight corners. In my notes from a Surrey backroad test, I wrote: “3-door turns in eagerly; less visual bulk, feels special.” That still stands.
- Boot space: 3-door ~365 liters; Sportback ~380 liters.
- Rear access: 3-door needs a little yoga; Sportback is easy-breezy.
- Style points: 3-door wins the catwalk; Sportback wins the school run.
Why the Audi A3 3-door Disappeared
As customer tastes shifted toward crossovers and five-door practicality, Audi quietly parked the 3-door. The brand focused resources on higher-demand variants and tech-heavy models. In other words, the 3-door’s niche appeal couldn’t keep pace with the market. If you want that coupe-like hatch silhouette today, you’ll be shopping used — which, frankly, isn’t a bad thing given how well these age inside.
Audi A3 (2013–2020) Shape Evolution: The 8V Generation Grows Up
Circa 2013, the A3 moved to the MQB platform. Translation: lighter on its feet, stiffer in corners, more tech inside. Mid-cycle in 2016, it gained sharper headlights, a neater grille, and the excellent Virtual Cockpit on higher trims. I loved the pop-up MMI screen — a neat party trick at the time — though a few owners have told me the mechanism can get sticky with age. Consider it a quirk, like vinyl crackle on a favourite record.
How the Audi A3 3-door Drives: Calm, Quick, or a Little Bit Naughty
Engines spanned frugal diesels to warm petrols, with the S3 for when you’re feeling saucy.
- Petrols: 1.0/1.4/1.5/1.8/2.0 TFSI, roughly 110–190 hp. The 1.4 TFSI is a sweet spot for mixed driving; the 2.0 feels properly brisk.
- Diesels: 1.6/2.0 TDI, roughly 110–184 hp. Good economy on a long motorway slog; expect 50+ mpg (UK) if you’re gentle.
- S3: 2.0 TFSI, 292–310 hp depending on year; 0–62 mph in about 4.8–5.3 seconds. All-weather weapon with quattro confidence.
Steering is light but accurate, the cabin’s muted at speed, and wind noise is low — I recorded a podcast with friends at 70 mph and didn’t need to shout. Downsides? On S line cars with 18s, potholes can send a shiver through your spine. And the 7-speed S tronic can feel a bit fidgety in stop-start traffic unless you pop it into manual and show it who’s in charge. Small trade-offs for big-car polish in a compact shell.
Living With the Audi A3 3-door
- Rear seats: fine for two adults on short trips; kids love the cozy feel. Fitting child seats requires a touch more patience with the long doors.
- Infotainment: early cars have the pop-up MMI; later (2016+) bring Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The rotary controller is intuitive; less faff than swiping at a laggy touchscreen.
- Economy: petrols commonly mid-30s mpg (US high-20s to low-30s), diesels do their best work on the motorway.
Audi A3 vs Sportback vs The Usual Suspect
| Model | Doors | Boot (L) | 0–62 mph (range) | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 3-door | 3 | ~365 | 4.8–10.5s | Neat, nimble, slightly sporty grand tourer |
| Audi A3 Sportback | 5 | ~380 | 4.8–10.5s | Same polish, more practical rear access |
| VW Golf (Mk7) | 3/5 | ~380 | 4.6–10.9s | Benchmark all-rounder; less posh inside |
Reliability, Quirks, and Ownership Notes
- Engines: TFSI units are generally strong; a few owners mentioned water pump seepage and the occasional coil-pack tantrum. Keep an ear out.
- Gearbox: S tronic is quick; stick to fluid changes on schedule (typically around 40k miles for wet-clutch units) and it’ll stay sharp.
- Tech: MMI pop-up screens can get sticky with age; a cautious clean helps. Later cars with Virtual Cockpit are lovely and usually trouble-free.
- Suspension: S line rides firmly on big wheels. If comfort matters, try standard suspension and 17s — night and day on rough roads.
Accessories: AutoWin Floor Mats That Fit the Audi A3 3-door Properly
If you’ve ever had “one-size-fits-none” mats bunch up under your pedals, you’ll appreciate a proper, model-specific set. For the Audi A3 3-door hatchback, AutoWin does the homework so you don’t have to.
- Premium materials: Tough, well-stitched, and designed to resist heel wear.
- Custom fit: Cut to the A3’s footwells for proper coverage and neat edges. No curling, no sliding.
- All-weather protection: Slush, coffee, kids’ muddy boots — sorted.
Need help picking the right set? The team at AutoWin can point you to the best match for your year and trim. And don’t forget to use the OE-style retaining clips — they’re there for a reason.
Quick Highlights if You’re Shopping Used
- Look for 2016+ cars for CarPlay/Android Auto and the sharper facelift.
- If you value comfort, avoid the firmest suspension/wheel combos.
- Service history matters — especially S tronic fluid changes and regular oil intervals.
Conclusion: The Audi A3 3-door Hatchback Still Hits the Sweet Spot
In an era of SUVs and screens everywhere, the Audi A3 3-door hatchback remains a breath of fresh air: compact, classy, and unflustered. It’s a premium hatch that wears its years well, rewarding careful owners with refinement and a dash of fun. Keep it serviced, pick your spec wisely, and protect the cabin with properly fitted AutoWin mats, and this last-of-the-line three-door will feel special every time you pull that long, elegant door shut.
FAQ: Audi A3 3-door Hatchback (2013–2020)
- Is the Audi A3 3-door discontinued? Yes. Audi shifted focus to higher-demand versions like the Sportback and SUVs.
- What’s the main difference vs the A3 Sportback? The Sportback gets five doors and a slightly bigger boot; the 3-door is sleeker and sportier to look at.
- Which engine should I pick? For balance, the 1.4/1.5 TFSI is smooth and efficient. For pace, the 2.0 TFSI or S3. Long motorway runs? A well-serviced 2.0 TDI.
- Any common issues? Watch for water pump seepage on some TFSIs, ensure S tronic services are up to date, and check the pop-up MMI works smoothly.
- Which floor mats fit best? Model-specific sets like AutoWin’s Audi A3 3-door mats align with the factory clips and cover the footwells properly.
