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There is a newer version of this car Read the latest Audi A3 Saloon review here

Audi A3 Saloon boot space, practicality and safety

2013 - 2020 (change model)
Practicality rating: 3 out of 53.0

Written by Parkers Published: 6 June 2019

  • Five-star Euro NCAP crash rating
  • Lots of driver assistance kit available
  • Solid build and plenty of safety equipment

The Audi A3 Saloon hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP yet, however the regular A3 scores a maximum five stars. The two cars share pretty much everything when it comes to how its built and the safety equipment they’re fitted with.

Optional safety equipment includes clever Matrix LED headlights which change depending on route information from the sat-nav and adjust the beam of light to not dazzle oncoming drivers.

You can also order adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed depending on the speed of the vehicle in front.

There’s a lane-keeping system which subtly steers the car back into its lane if it detects drifting without driver input and park assist, which steers the car into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.

Finally there’s the Pre-Sense basic safety system, which will take preventative action should the car detect an imminent crash.

If the adaptive cruise control is also fitted, this includes a system which warns – and then brakes for – the driver if it senses a collision is about to happen. It will also hold the brakes on after a collision to prevent any further damage.

  • Enough space for a small family
  • Sloping roof the only black mark
  • Four adults will fit with ease

The A3 Saloon is a compact car, so those interested are unlikely to be buying because of its practicality credentials.

However, there’s plenty of room in the front seats with a generous amount of adjustment in the seats, while those in the rear are treated to comfortable seats. However, taller passengers in the rear might struggle with headroom as the roofline is more sloping than the regular Sportback.

At least legroom isn’t too bad, so most will be comfortable on journeys that aren’t too long and arduous. It’s certainly more spacious inside than its most direct rival, the Mercedes-Benz CLA. 

Despite being a saloon, the A3 is a compact one, with neat and tidy proportions. That means it’s easy to manoeuvre into tighter-than-average spaces, but you’ll need parking sensors at the very least if you’re regularly reversing. That jutting out saloon boot can still be deceptive because of the small, sloped rear window. 

The A3’s boot is surprisingly practical, at 425 litres. In fact, it’s the biggest in the whole A3 range with the rear seats in place – bigger even than the A3 Sportback.

However, there are limitations, despite its large, square load space. Access is restricted due to the narrower opening that comes with a saloon body style, and folding the rear seats down doesn’t liberate as much space as it does in something like a regular hatchback.

Finally, go for a model fitted with Quattro all-wheel drive, and capacity falls to 390 litres due to the extra mechanicals located beneath the floor for the rear axle. 

Euro NCAP rating

Ratings for this model not available

Equipment and options

Each trim level will have different equipment offerings.
Basic equipment (22)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Climate control
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric mirrors
  • Front electric windows
  • Heated mirrors
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Service indicator
  • Side airbags
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
Standard Trim Standard Equipment (7)
  • Cruise control
  • DVD
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
Standard Trim Optional Equipment (1)
  • Sports seats
Audi Sport Edition Standard Equipment (9)
  • Cruise control
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
Audi Sport Edition Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Black Edition Standard Equipment (3)
  • Cruise control
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
Black Edition Optional Equipment (10)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cloth seat trim
  • DVD
  • Front fog lights
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
S Line Standard Equipment (1)
  • Partial leather seat trim
S Line Optional Equipment (10)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • DVD
  • Front fog lights
  • Headlight washers
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
S3 Standard Equipment (6)
  • Cruise control
  • Headlight washers
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
S3 Optional Equipment (5)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • DVD
  • Heated seats
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
S3 Black Edition Standard Equipment (6)
  • Cruise control
  • Headlight washers
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
S3 Black Edition Optional Equipment (5)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • DVD
  • Heated seats
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
Sport Standard Equipment (1)
  • Body coloured bumpers
Sport Optional Equipment (8)
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • DVD
  • Front fog lights
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
  • Space saver spare wheel

Dimensions

Length 4456mm - 4479mm
Width 1960mm
Height 1392mm - 1416mm
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