2020 Audi A3

Audi sells a wide range of sedans and SUVs with luxurious interiors and lots of technology. Several of its SUVs and sedans have earned CR’s recommendation for balancing driver and passenger comfort with smooth power and nimble handling. In most cases, buyers shopping for sedans and SUVs in the luxury category should consider Audi’s options. Fit and finish quality reaches even the lowest-priced models. However, like most luxury cars from European brands, maintenance and repair costs can be expensive, making used Audis difficult to recommend. Typically, Audi identifies sedans with the letter A, SUVs with the letter Q, and numbers that increase according to size. The Q3 is a compact crossover while the Q8 is a three-row SUV. Models that start with S or RS are tuned for performance and have more power, stiffer suspension, and more aerodynamic exterior details. All-electric models have the E-tron suffix.

This wholly redesigned Audi A3 is part of a wave of compact luxury-branded models for buyers who have one eye on their budget and the other on gas prices. While it's tempting to get the basic Premium model, with the 1.8-liter engine for its relatively low price, you might be happier with the Premium Plus trim, which includes more of the features you expect in a luxury car and lets you get the Driver Assistance package, which includes blind-spot monitoring. For 2016, Audi added a standard backup camera, heated mirrors, and a USB port—replacing the optional media interface and its unique Audi proprietary cable. Also, a front-wheel drive hatchback with a plug-in hybrid powertrain joined the line.