This Is The Cheapest Audi On Sale In 2025

When looking for a new vehicle with more of a premium feel to it, opting for something German normally gets the job done. BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer a classy range of vehicles for a wide variety of situations, as does their country-based rival Audi. Aside from having a ton of racing pedigree and heritage, the brand has also offered some of the swishest automobiles ever made, like the A8 luxury sedan and Q8 SUV.

2025 Audi A3 Sedan

Base MSRP

$38,200

Base Trim Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Transmission

Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic

Base Trim Horsepower

201 hp

Base Trim Torque

236 lb-ft

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These options will cost you well north of $70,000 though, which is outside the budget of many drivers. So what’s the cheapest way you can have a brand-new vehicle with four rings on the grille in your driveway in 2025? This is how – the Audi A3 Sedan.

All pricing and information is correct at the time of writing; manufacturers may change or update pricing and specifications at any time. MSRP quoted here excludes destination, handling, and any options.

The A3 Sedan Is The Cheapest Way Of Bagging A Brand-New Audi In 2025

For those looking for an affordable Audi, the little A3 sedan is your best bet. It starts from $38,200 for the base Premium 40 TFSI model, and comes with a decent list of standard equipment for the price. The A3 first debuted in 1996 as Audi’s rival to the ultra-popular Volkswagen Golf, which also became a household name as a hot hatch.

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A Sedan Version Only Appeared Later In Life

The first portion of the A3’s life saw it evolve from a three-door hatch to a five-door hatch, though a sedan was introduced shortly after the third-generation model was launched in 2012. It became a staple alongside the hatch in the years that followed, and then became the sole option for the US market in 2024. The fourth-gen version of the A3 made its public bow in 2020, and received a styling facelift in 2024, with European audiences even getting a lifted hatch version of the car called the Allstreet. That brings us to today, where the A3 sedan represents a premium and sporty compact offering at an attainable price.
Even The Base A3 Comes With Claws

Despite the 40 TFSI being the entry-level model, the 2025 Audi A3 sedan offers performance that would have been seen as more than adequate for a hot hatch a decade or so ago. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four powerplant produces 201 hp, which is put to the road via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, a setup that ensures the A3 can use every last morsel of its grunt, whatever the weather. The engine comes mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which offers silky gear changes that make it easy to drive through crowded areas. It also assists the A3 to the 60 mph benchmark in a swift 6.0 seconds.

2025 Audi A3 Specifications

Engine

2.0L turbocharged I4

Power

201 hp

Torque

236 lb-ft

0-60 mph

6.0 seconds

Base MSRP

$38,200

The A3 is capable of holding its own in the bends too, courtesy of its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension setups. These elements carry over between both trims available for the A3, though more grunt and cornering performance is available with the more expensive S3 and RS3 variants. Starting from $48,700 and $63,400 respectively, the former makes 328 hp and the latter just shy of 400 hp.
Its Smaller Size Makes It Feel Nippier

Audi

Given the A3 is still a compact sedan, it won’t be the best option for those who have a larger family to transport. The larger A4, A5, or Q3 models will be better suited if practicality is important, though the A3 works great for those with smaller families, and those who want comfortable accomodations for weaving through traffic and dealing with tight parking lots.

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That doesn’t mean the A3 isn’t practical for what it is, and it’ll carry four adults in comfort quite easily. Its decent-sized trunk will be enough to swallow the weekly grocery shop and a few other items.

2025 Audi A3 Interior Dimensions

Headroom Front | Rear

36.8 | 36.6 inches

Legroom Front | Rear

41.2 | 35.2 inches

Shoulder Room Front | Rear

54.8 | 53 inches

Cargo Space

8.3 cubic feet

Even Base A3s Come Well Stocked

It’s a bit of a stretch to describe the A3 as ‘cheap’, but you do at least get a handy suite of equipment for your money. Aside from the potent powertrain and surefooted quattro AWD system, you get luxurious extras such as tri-zone climate control and a power panoramic sunroof. You’ll also get plush heated leather seats, as well as a digital driver’s display and touchscreen infotainment screen, both of which measure ten inches. You also get accident-reducing safety software such as lane departure warning and pre-sense, which will cause the A3 to apply the brakes if it predicts an impact is imminent.
As far as options go, you get the usual extra color options, which set you back $595, as well as a set of larger 18-inch wheels that’ll cost you $1,750. These are also available with the $1,750 Black Optic package, which also brings along a lowered suspension setup. The $1,700 Convenience equipment package is also good value, seeing as it brings along refinements such as Adaptive Cruise Control, a Power Tailgate, and electric folding mirrors, among other extras.

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There is only one other trim option alongside the base Premium option, known as Premium Plus. Starting from $40,800, it includes the Convenience package within the price, and also adds a premium SONOS sound system and a slick LED interior lighting setup. For those who like their toys, the extra couple of grand needed for the A3 Premium Plus is well worth paying.
The Q3 SUV Is A Good Option For Those Who Need Extra Space

For those who feel the A3 will be a little restrictive from a practicality standpoint, the 2025 Q3 offers itself as a tantalizing alternative. It only costs around a grand more at $39,800, but comes with a more powerful 228-hp version of the 2.0-liter engine found in the A3. It comes with a near-identical option list and standard equipment package as its smaller sibling, but with the added benefit of extra cabin space.

2025 Audi Q3 Specifications

Engine

2.0L turbocharged I4

Power

228 hp

Torque

251 lb-ft

0-60 mph

7.1 seconds

Base MSRP

$39,800

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It comes with an extra inch of rear legroom and headroom when compared to the A3, which will make it easier for parents to strap their children into their travel seats, as well as increase comfort over long journeys for adults. Its 18.3 cubic foot trunk also provides much more usable room than the A3 can muster, making it a superior choice for those with practicality on their minds. Given it only costs $1,000 more and offers a similar level of performance to the A3, the Q3 plants itself as a viable and more usable alternative at this price range.

Sources: Audi.