Audi A3 Sportback dimensions

Audi’s A3 Sportback is an upmarket version of the VW Golf, with which it shares mechanical parts. 

If you want to know whether it’s got the right dimensions - inside and out, or has a big-enough boot for you, then we’ve got the figures below.

The Sportback is the five-door hatchback version of the A3, which is also available as a three-door hatchback, saloon or cabriolet. There’s more detail on the car and the different versions available in our Audi A3 buying guide.

See the latest new and used Audi A3 deals

Audi A3 Sportback dimensions: exterior

Most family hatchbacks are similar in size but the Audi A3 has a few small differences that could make a big impact when it comes to living with the car.

Unlike most cars of its size, the A3 is less than 2 metres (6ft 7in) wide, including the side mirrors, which will help when parking in a narrow garage or squeezing through tall width restrictors. It’s also a little taller by 20mm (just under 1in) than the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes A Class - its two biggest rivals - which gives the driver a slightly higher seating position.

The wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear wheels - is a good measure of how much interior space a car has. The A3’s is only average at 2637mm. The biggest family cars are closer to 2700mm, including the Mercedes A-Class and Mazda 3.

Audi A3 Sportback dimensions: exterior		Compared to similar cars
Length	4313mm	Average
Width without mirrors	1785mm	Average
Width with mirrors	1966mm	Narrower than average
Height	1461mm	Average
Wheelbase	2637mm	Average

    

Audi A3 Sportback boot space

With 380 litres of space, the Audi A3’s boot is a standard size for this type of car. Most families will rarely need to fold down the seats to boost the luggage capacity, although - as with most of these cars - a bulky baby buggy will take up most of the boot.

The four-wheel drive system on A3 quattro models is bulkier than the standard set-up, and this reduces boot space by 40 litres.

This A3 Sportback version has a little more room than the three-door Audi A3’s 365-litre boot, although the difference is so small that you'll barely notice if you have the opportunity to compare them side by side.

Audi A3 boot space		Compared to similar cars
Boot space with seats up	380 litres / 340l in quattro models	Average
Boot space with seats down	1220 litres / 1180l in quattro models	Average

           

Audi A3 Sportback dimensions: interior

Three children will easily fit into the back of the Audi, but the car’s narrowness means that it does get cramped if you try and squeeze in three adults. Worst affected is the unlucky passenger in the middle rear seat which is small and has a raised floor in front of it - forcing you to dangle a leg in each of the footwells on either side.

The A3 Sportback is much more suitable if you have just two in the back, with enough legroom to be comfortable on long journeys.  

Audi A3 Sportback dimensions: interior		Compared to similar cars
Front headroom	1020mm	Average
Rear headroom	951mm	Average

          

Audi A3 towing capacity

The A3’s towing capacity depends on the weight and power of each model. Its maximum towing capacities are higher than many family hatchbacks. The 2-litre, 184 horsepower diesel engine, when combined with four-wheel drive, can pull up 1800kg on slopes with a gradient of up to 12%, which is the same as a Nissan Qashqai.

All diesel A3s can pull at least 1500kg, which makes the car a good choice if you’re looking for a hatchback to pull a small trailer or caravan. A larger and heavier crossover or SUV is likely to provide more stability, though.

Audi A3 Sportback towing capacity (smallest to largest)
Maximum towing capacity: braked	1300 - 1800kg
Maximum towing capacity: unbraked	620 - 750kg

    

Audi A3 weight

A car’s kerbweight is designed to give an indication of how heavy it will be in real-world use, so it includes the weight of an almost-full fuel tank, as well as 75kg representing a driver and some luggage.

In general, the lighter the car, the more economical it will be, and it’s also likely to feel more agile when steering too. A3 Sportback models fitted with the small 1.0-litre engine are one of only a few family hatchbacks to weigh less than 1200kg.

Audi A3 Sportback weight (lightest to heaviest)
Kerbweight	1180 - 1425kg

     

Audi A3 Sportback fuel tank capacity

The 50-litre fuel tank in most Audi A3s should be enough to take the car more than 500 miles between fill-ups, although owners of the thirsty 2.0 TFSI petrol engine are likely to have to stop a little more frequently.

Four-wheel drive quattro models, which usually use more fuel than two-wheel drive cars, have a bigger fuel tank to boost their range.

Audi A3 Sportback fuel tank capacity
Petrol fuel tank	50 litres / 55l for 2.0 TFSI quattro
Diesel fuel tank	50 litres / 55l for 2.0 TDI quattro

    

Audi A3 Sportback turning circle

Most family hatchbacks require 11m of space to turn themselves around without the need of a three-point turn. The A3 Sportback is no exception.

Audi A3 Turning circle		Compared to similar cars
Turning circle	10.9m	Average