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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 28 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 381 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $21,440–$25,160 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2013 Audi A3 at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10, while Reliability at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.3/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.6/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $21,440–$25,160, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Audi A3 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2013 Audi A3 is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and performance and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2013 Audi A3 ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $21,440 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 22%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the A3 model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $37,492 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $37,492 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $36,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $35,308 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $34,216 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $33,124 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $32,032 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $30,940 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $29,848 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $28,756 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.4/10 | $27,664 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.3/10 | $26,572 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 30/01/2018 · 18V082000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 10/02/2016 · 16V079000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 04/12/2019 · 19V862000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.