Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020) Review: Lived-in Luxury, Everyday Speed

I’ve spent enough time behind the wheel of the Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020) to know its rhythm—school runs in drizzle, motorway blasts in the late hours, and a few naughty detours on B-roads when the sat-nav “accidentally” took the long way. It’s one of those compact premium cars that just gets on with life, quietly brilliant most days, surprisingly eager on others. And yes, it looks great outside your favorite café—ask the valet who moved it twice just to have another sit in the cabin.

The A3’s Backstory: Where the 5-Door Fits In

The Audi A3 has been the “sensible suit with sharp tailoring” of the premium compact world since 1996. The 2013-2020 run (the 8V generation) tightened that suit: lighter chassis, cleaner engines, smarter tech. Mid-cycle in 2016, it picked up a facelift—new nose, sharper lights, and the option of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. In five-door form, it’s the one you want if your life involves friends, kids, a dog, or just a lot of weekend gear. Call it a hatch, call it a 5-door sedan—it’s the practical one with the premium vibe.

Features That Set the Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020) Apart

• Engines that suit any mood: Turbo petrols and diesels from roughly 110 to 190 hp cover the daily stuff; the S3 turns the wick up to around 300+ hp for proper hot-hatch thrills. Quattro all-wheel drive was available on punchier models.
• Real-world pace, real-world economy: Typical 0–60 mph spans from the mid-8s (1.0/1.4 TFSI, 1.6 TDI) to low-6s (2.0 TFSI); the S3 dips into the 4s. Expect 35–45 mpg (combined) depending on spec and how heavy your right foot is.
• Quiet confidence inside: Clean design, quality switches, supportive seats. It’s the sort of cabin that still feels expensive after a long work week.
• Tech that aged gracefully: MMI infotainment with rotary control is distraction-light; later cars add CarPlay/Android Auto and Virtual Cockpit. The learning curve is short, which I appreciate on busy urban commutes.
• Safety and driver aids: Adaptive cruise, lane assist, and Audi pre sense were available or standard depending on year and trim. The structure feels solid—reassuring when the weather turns.

Engines, Performance, and the Way It Drives

I noticed right away how grown-up the A3 feels on a rough B-road. With the smaller wheels, it’s supple—almost like driving in slippers. Go for S line with 18s and the ride turns firmer; fine on good tarmac, less happy with potholes. The 2.0 TFSI (around 190 hp) is the sweet spot for me: effortless torque, a quiet cruise, and genuinely brisk when you seize a gap. The S tronic dual-clutch can hesitate a beat at walking pace—parking garages expose it—but it snaps shifts cleanly on the move. Quattro versions dig in when the heavens open.

Cabin & Tech: Calm, Clever, and Mostly Intuitive

Minimalist design keeps your brain uncluttered. The rotary MMI controller is a blessing when you don’t want to jab at a screen. Post-facelift cars (2016+) with Virtual Cockpit deliver crisp maps between the dials—still a party trick on date night. A few owners mentioned to me that early models (pre-2016) might lack Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and feel a step behind on voice control. If that matters, shop the later years.

Space, Practicality, and Those Little Quirks

• Rear seats: Comfortable for two adults; three is “we’re friends, right?” tight.
• Cargo: The 5-door layout makes life easy. Pushchair? Gym bags? A spontaneous Ikea visit? It copes.
• Noise: On 18-inch tires you’ll hear a bit more road buzz on coarse surfaces. Not loud—just present.
• Infotainment niggles: Early Bluetooth sometimes plays hard to get. Restart and it behaves (most days).

Colors That Pop (and a Few That Whisper)

One of my favorite bits? The paint palette. Cosmos Blue looks rich without being shouty, Nano Gray is subtle and expensive-looking, and Tango Red suits the S line bodywork like a tailored jacket. These aren’t the usual fleet whites and silvers—you’ll spot “your” car in the ski-lodge car park from a hundred yards.

Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020) vs Key Rivals

How does it stack up on paper? Specs vary by market and trim, but here’s a typical snapshot of what you’ll find when cross-shopping.

Common Questions People Ask About the Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020)

• Is the 2013 Audi A3 a good car? Yes. The 2013 model kicks off this generation with tidy handling, quality materials, and efficient engines. Look for full service history; the car rewards proper maintenance.
• 5-door vs 3-door length and space? The 5-door generally has a longer profile and easier rear access than the 3-door, with more usable rear-seat space and cargo flexibility. If you carry passengers often, go 5-door.
• Is the Audi A3 Sedan a luxury car? It lives squarely in the compact luxury class—refined ride, premium cabin, slick tech. Think “business casual” with a taste for the weekends.
• Any quirks to watch? S tronic can feel hesitant at crawling speeds, and early infotainment lacks some smartphone features. Later cars (2016+) fix much of that.

Make It Yours: AutoWin Accessories for the Audi A3

Floor mats aren’t glamorous, but they quietly save your interior from rainy days, sandy weekends, and the occasional coffee mishap. For Audi A3 owners, AutoWin makes model-specific sets that fit properly and wear well. I tried a set during a muddy photo shoot and was grateful they popped out for a quick hose-down.

AutoWin Eshop stocks tailored sets for the Audi A3 5-door Sedan. Fit is the difference between mats that just sit there and mats that feel OEM.

Verdict: Should You Buy an Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020)?

If you want a premium compact that nails the daily grind and still feels special on a Sunday morning, the Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020) is an easy recommendation. It’s refined without being dull, quick without shouting, and practical without feeling like a chore. Look for a well-specced 2016+ car if you want the sharpest tech; otherwise, any tidy example with service records is a safe bet. And if you find one in Tango Red or Nano Gray—well, lucky you.

FAQ

• What engines are best for the Audi A3 5-door Sedan (2013-2020)? The 2.0 TFSI (around 190 hp) balances pace and economy; diesels (1.6/2.0 TDI) suit high-mile drivers; the S3 is for hot-hatch fans.
• Does the Audi A3 5-door have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto? Generally yes from the 2016 facelift onward (spec-dependent). Earlier models may lack it or require retrofits.
• How reliable is the S tronic gearbox? Mostly solid with regular servicing; expect slight low-speed hesitation. Test in traffic to be sure you’re happy with it.
• Is it comfortable on long trips? Very. Quiet cruise, supportive seats, and efficient engines make it an excellent Alpine-weekend or city-to-coast companion.
• Which colors were standout? Cosmos Blue, Nano Gray, and Tango Red add a bit of theatre without tipping into gaudy.