How Heavy Is a 2017 Audi A3?

The 2017 Audi A3 typically weighs between about 2,910 and 3,660 pounds (around 1,320 to 1,660 kilograms), depending on the body style, engine, and drivetrain. That spread covers the compact A3 Sedan, the more versatile A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid, and the high-performance S3 variant, each configured with different equipment levels and options that affect curb weight.

Understanding the 2017 Audi A3 Lineup and Weight Ranges

The 2017 Audi A3 family is not a single car but a range of related models built on the same compact platform. In the United States, the A3 was offered as a conventional gasoline sedan, a plug-in hybrid Sportback (A3 e-tron), and the high-output S3 performance sedan. Each of these versions carries different hardware under the skin—larger brakes, electric drive components, all-wheel-drive systems, and upgraded interiors—that add or subtract weight.

Automakers usually provide curb weight figures, which represent the vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating fluids and a full tank of fuel, but without passengers or cargo. In day-to-day terms, this is the “empty car” weight you might see in specifications or registration data.

Approximate Curb Weights by Model and Drivetrain

While exact curb weight can vary slightly based on options and trim packages, most buyers and owners only need a realistic range. The figures below reflect commonly cited manufacturer and industry data for the U.S.-spec 2017 A3 lineup.

• Audi A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI FWD (front-wheel drive): roughly 2,910–3,080 lb (about 1,320–1,395 kg)
• Audi A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro (all-wheel drive): roughly 3,175–3,300 lb (about 1,440–1,500 kg)
• Audi S3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro: roughly 3,450–3,660 lb (about 1,565–1,660 kg)
• Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (plug-in hybrid): roughly 3,500–3,615 lb (about 1,590–1,640 kg)

Taken together, these figures show that even within the same model year, weight can differ by several hundred pounds. The lightest examples are front-wheel-drive A3 sedans with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, while the heaviest are the S3 performance sedan and the A3 Sportback e-tron, both of which carry additional mechanical or electrical components.

Why the 2017 A3’s Weight Changes from Version to Version

The differences in weight across the 2017 Audi A3 range come down to three main factors: drivetrain layout, performance hardware, and electrification components. Each adds specific systems that can improve traction, power, or efficiency, but they also add mass.

Front-Wheel Drive vs. Quattro All-Wheel Drive

Choosing between front-wheel drive (FWD) and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system has a direct impact on how heavy a 2017 A3 is. Front-wheel-drive models are the lightest, because they send power to just the front axle and require fewer mechanical parts.

Quattro-equipped versions incorporate an additional rear differential, a driveshaft, and associated hardware that distribute power to all four wheels. This improves traction in bad weather and enhances performance, but the extra drivetrain components generally add dozens of kilograms—commonly in the range of 100–200 pounds compared with otherwise similar FWD models.

Standard A3 vs. S3 Performance Model

The S3 is the high-performance member of the 2017 A3 family, and its extra capability is reflected in its higher curb weight. Although it shares the basic 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine layout with the standard A3, the S3’s unit is tuned for significantly more power and is paired exclusively with quattro all-wheel drive.

Beyond the engine and drivetrain, the S3’s upgraded brakes, sport suspension, larger wheels and tires, and more heavily bolstered seats and interior trim all contribute incremental mass. The combined effect is a car that is markedly quicker but also clearly heavier than the entry-level A3 sedan.

Impact of Plug-In Hybrid Technology in the A3 e-tron

The 2017 A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid differs dramatically from the traditional sedan not just in shape but in its powertrain. It pairs a smaller gasoline engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor and rear of the vehicle, plus a more complex cooling and electronics system.

Those hybrid components are efficient at turning energy into motion and reducing fuel use, yet the physical battery cells and related hardware weigh a substantial amount. As a result, the A3 e-tron’s curb weight typically sits toward the top of the A3 range, even though its gasoline engine is smaller than that of the S3. This is a common trade-off across hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the compact luxury segment.

How Options and Equipment Affect Weight

Even within a particular version, such as a 2017 A3 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan, equipment choices can move the curb weight slightly up or down. Lightweight wheels, panoramic sunroofs, sound systems, and driver-assistance technology all contribute a few extra pounds here and there.

In practice, these differences are modest compared with the major factors like drivetrain and powertrain type, but they explain why official figures are usually given as single representative values even though actual vehicles can vary by tens of pounds depending on how they are specified.

Finding the Exact Weight of a Specific 2017 Audi A3

For owners or buyers who need an exact weight figure—for towing calculations, transport logistics, or racing regulations—there are a few reliable methods to obtain it for a particular car rather than relying on general ranges.

The following approaches are the most common ways to confirm a specific vehicle’s curb weight or related weight ratings.

• Owner’s manual: Many 2017 A3 manuals provide a typical curb weight for each engine and drivetrain combination, often broken down by market or equipment.
• Door-jamb label: The sticker on the driver’s side door frame lists key weight-related data such as Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and axle limits, which help estimate practical load capacity even if curb weight is not directly printed.
• Manufacturer or dealer specifications: Audi dealers and official product guides can provide detailed spec sheets for the 2017 A3, including curb weight by trim and drivetrain.
• Weighbridge or vehicle scale: For the most precise figure, putting the car on a certified scale—with a full fuel tank and no occupants—will reveal the real-world curb weight of that exact vehicle.

Using one or more of these sources allows owners to move beyond approximate ranges and confirm a precise number that reflects their car’s equipment, condition, and any modifications.

Why the 2017 Audi A3’s Weight Matters

The curb weight of a 2017 Audi A3 is more than just a line of data in a spec sheet; it influences how the car accelerates, handles, and consumes fuel. Lighter variants, such as the front-wheel-drive A3 sedan, tend to feel slightly more agile and may offer marginally better fuel economy, while heavier versions like the S3 and A3 e-tron trade a bit of that lightness for added power, traction, or electrified efficiency.

For everyday drivers, understanding where a specific A3 sits on the weight spectrum can help interpret real-world performance and running costs. For enthusiasts and professionals, accurate weight figures are vital for track setup, competition rules, and safe towing or transport planning.

Summary

The 2017 Audi A3’s weight spans from roughly 2,910 pounds (about 1,320 kilograms) for a lightly equipped, front-wheel-drive A3 sedan up to around 3,500–3,660 pounds (about 1,590–1,660 kilograms) for the plug-in hybrid A3 Sportback e-tron and the high-performance S3. Differences in drivetrain, engine output, hybrid hardware, and equipment levels all shape where a given car falls within that range. For an exact figure, owners should consult the vehicle’s documentation or a certified scale, but these ranges provide a clear picture of how heavy a 2017 Audi A3 typically is.

How heavy is an Audi A3?

Audi A3 Sportback 2024 dimensions.
Weight 1390 kg, petrol mild hybrid. Weight 1675 kg, petrol plug-in hybrid. Boot space: 280* – 380 liters.

Is the Audi A3 a fast car?

The Audi A3 Sportback’s top speed and 0–62 mph performance vary depending on the engine you choose. For instance, the 35 TFSI with a 6-speed manual gearbox reaches 0–62 mph in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph.

How much horsepower does a 2017 Audi A3 have?

In front-wheel-drive models, the turbocharged inline-four produces 186 hp and comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Quattro all-wheel-drive A3s get a bump up to 220 hp and drive through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

How much is a 2017 Audi A3 worth?

A 2017 Audi A3 Premium Sedan 4D has depreciated $8,499 or 51% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $8,031 and trade-in value of $5,068.