Audi A3 2003–2013 car dimensions: 4292 mm long, 1765 mm wide and 1423 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,225 kg. Braked towing is 1,600 kg.
Manual air conditioning is standard across the range. Dual-zone electronic climate control is standard on Sport and higher grades or available as an option. Cruise control is optional and often part of a comfort package that also needs the driver’s information system. Acoustic parking sensors are optional for rear only or front and rear, with parallel park assist as a further option on later cars. A colour monitor arrives with optional DVD navigation using MMI controls. No factory reversing camera was offered. Automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and lane keep assist do not appear in the equipment lists.
The five-door Sportback boot holds 370 litres with the rear seats up. Fold the split rear bench and capacity rises to 1100 litres.
Braked towing capacity reaches 1600 kg on stronger engines and drops to around 1200 kg on base units. unbraked figures sit between 640 kg and 750 kg. Payload is listed between 500 kg and 560 kg depending on the exact model.
Sports suspension lowered by 15 mm is standard on Sport grades and further lowered on S line. No heavy-duty cooling package is described for towing or payload work.
The cabin uses high-quality materials with good fit and finish. Front seats offer solid support for long drives, with sport versions adding firmer bolsters. Dual-zone climate control keeps temperatures even. An optional Open Sky panoramic glass roof floods the interior with light and allows fresh air in multiple positions, complete with blinds.
Euro NCAP 4 stars (2003 test)
Standard dual front, side thorax and Sideguard curtain airbags plus ESP and ABS
Rear side airbags optional
Long-life service interval via indicator up to 30,000 km
Petrol and diesel engines available across the range
Engines span petrol and diesel options from entry-level four-cylinders to a 3.2 V6, with manual or dual-clutch transmissions and optional quattro drive on some versions. Consumption depends on the specific powertrain chosen.
Servicing follows a flexible long-life schedule indicated by the onboard system, reaching as far as 30,000 km between visits under favourable conditions.
Safety equipment includes dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, full-length Sideguard curtain airbags, ESP stability control and ABS with brake assist as standard. The 2003 Euro NCAP test awarded four stars. Rear side airbags can be added.
The five-door Sportback body adds practical rear access and a larger load area that expands further with the split-folding rear seats. Routine care centres on following the service indicator and addressing common age-related items such as suspension bushes.
Length 4292 mm, Width 1765 mm, Height 1423 mm, Wheelbase 2578 mm (A3 2003–2013)
Sources: manufacturer data, press.audi.co.uk.