How much does the 2016 Audi A3 cost?

Prices have softened 10.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 595 listings available, which suggests you should have some room to compare prices and equipment.

If you find a listing below $10,810.74, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 a good car?

Generally — the 4/5 user rating and 7.83/10 expert rating point to a car that lands well with shoppers who want entry-level luxury with polish. The A3’s appeal comes through in its well-sorted chassis, classy interior, and invigorating drivetrain, and the 2016 updates add more everyday convenience without taking away its usability.

The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

That makes the A3 especially appealing if you want a compact luxury car that feels refined and thoughtfully equipped rather than merely practical. 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The A3’s overall package leans toward durability in the ways that matter to used buyers: it has a well-sorted chassis, a classy interior, and a drivetrain that the expert review describes as invigorating and confidence-inspiring. The 2016 model also adds standard reversing camera, parking sensors, and heated washers and mirrors, which can reduce day-to-day hassle and help the car feel better equipped over time.

The expert review also praises the platform’s tight, responsive character and notes that the transmission is up to the task of keeping the car in the right gear. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by hard use or neglected equipment.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Audi A3?

At 53.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a collision or shows signs of uneven wear. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and whether the equipment you care about still works as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premium trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, leather, power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker stereo, automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights, auto wipers, a panoramic sunroof on the sedan, and the MMI interface with retractable display. Premium Plus adds 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, power for the front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless entry and ignition, and can be a strong value if you want more comfort without going all the way to the top trim.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 1.8-liter turbo engine with 170 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter turbo that adds 50 hp and 58 lb-ft, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 150 hp and 236 lb-ft. The 1.8-liter is competent, but the 2.0-liter is the better pick if you want stronger acceleration and less turbo lag.
• Safety package: Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise are part of the top-tier tech setup, while the base Premium trim has to give up lane-keep assist. Standard safety equipment includes stability and traction control, 4-wheel antilock discs, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full suite of airbags.
• Infotainment: The standard MMI interface is well regarded, and the upgraded version adds a touch-sensitive rotary dial. The Tech package brings navigation, voice controls, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, configurable digital gauges, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were coming in the following model year.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter FWD sedan is rated at 27 mpg combined, with 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The 2.0-liter FWD engine gains 1 mpg in city driving, while the AWD convertible is rated at 26 mpg combined with 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The turbodiesel is rated at 36 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway.

Which 2016 Audi A3 trim should I buy?

The 2016 Audi A3 is offered in 3 trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige.

Here's the short version:

• Premium: This is the entry point, but it still gives you a lot: leather, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof on the sedan, and the MMI interface. If you want the lowest-cost way into the A3’s upscale cabin and everyday usability, this is the trim to start with.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, power adjustment for the front passenger seat, and 18-inch wheels. It also gets you closer to the more complete luxury feel without forcing you into the highest-priced version.
• Prestige: This is the trim to choose if you want the most technology and the fullest feature set, including adaptive cruise, Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, configurable digital gauges, and the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.

The base Premium trim does not get lane-keep assist, so if that feature matters to you, move up the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Audi A3?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 595 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 53.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,810.74, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Audi A3's resale value?

The current average of $10,984 sits slightly below last year's $12,217.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can be good news if you’re buying now but less favorable if you plan to sell soon. A softer market usually means future resale gains may be limited unless your car is especially clean, well equipped, and well maintained.

The A3 still has some resale support from its strong owner satisfaction and upscale interior appeal. Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 safe?

It earns a five-star overall rating in government crash tests and four-star ratings in frontal impacts.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise headline the driver-assistance setup, and the car also includes standard stability and traction control, 4-wheel antilock discs, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full suite of airbags. Sedans can also be fitted with rear side airbags.

One caveat is that the government testing shows a lower frontal-impact result than the overall score, so you should still pay close attention to crash history and repair quality on any used example.

Should I buy a 2016 Audi A3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 53.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 adds standard reversing camera, parking sensors, and heated washers and mirrors, plus a new S Line appearance package.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $10,078, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $10,984 average.
• It helped make the sedan version of the A3 more appealing to American buyers.

The bottom line: If you want the better-equipped, more polished version of the A3 and you’re shopping the current market, the 2016 is the stronger all-around pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 can still make sense, especially if you find one in clean condition with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.