The 2018 Audi A3 e-tron, with 36 MPG combined, is an interesting option. It’s not a Prius, but it is a plug-in hybrid that attracts buyers who appreciate Audi’s design and driving dynamics and want better fuel efficiency and some electric driving capabilities. It’s a step toward fully electric cars for those who like luxury vehicles.

City and highway performance

The A3 e-tron’s city and highway MPG numbers show what it does well. Its 34 MPG city rating shows how the electric motor helps the 1.4L four-cylinder engine in stop-and-go traffic. In the city, the e-tron can often run only on electric power for short trips, which greatly cuts down on fuel use. The 39 MPG highway number shows that, even though it’s not made only for the highway, it does well on longer drives. The electric motor still helps, especially when speeding up and passing, leading to better fuel efficiency at higher speeds.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Audi A3 e-tron at $1,600. This number is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. This is just an estimate, your actual fuel costs will change based on your driving habits, local fuel prices, and how much you drive in electric mode. If you plug in your car often and take short trips on electric power, you might lower this annual cost. However, if you often drive long distances without charging, expect to spend closer to $1,600, or even more.

Real-world expectations

The EPA numbers give a starting point, but it’s important to know what to expect in the real world for any plug-in hybrid. The A3 e-tron’s fuel economy depends a lot on how often you charge the battery. If you always drive within the electric range (around 20 miles) and plug in regularly, expect to see much higher overall MPG than the EPA combined rating. If you often drive longer distances without charging, the car works like a standard hybrid, and the fuel economy will be closer to the 36 MPG combined estimate. How you drive also matters; speeding up fast and driving at high speeds will lower efficiency, even with the powertrain.

How it compares

The A3 e-tron is in a small group of compact plug-in hybrids, and how its fuel economy compares to others is important for buyers. A similar car, the BMW 330e (2018 model), gets about 34 MPG combined. The Chevrolet Volt, not a luxury car, has much higher electric range and fuel economy, getting around 42 MPG combined. The Lexus CT 200h, a non-plug-in hybrid, gets around 43 MPG combined, meaning the A3 e-tron focuses more on performance and luxury than the best fuel efficiency. For drivers who want better fuel economy over sporty handling, looking at A3 MPG across all years might show a different model.

Tips to maximize efficiency

To get the most from the plug-in hybrid system, plug in whenever you can. Charging often, even for short times, greatly increases how much you can drive on electric power, which lowers fuel use. Public charging stations and home chargers are good ways to keep the battery charged.

Use the car’s driving modes smartly. The “EV” mode focuses on electric-only driving, while “Hybrid” mode mixes electric and gasoline power for the best efficiency. Try these modes to find what works best for your driving. The gasoline engine will always turn on when accelerating hard.

Drive smoothly and steadily. Avoiding hard acceleration and sudden braking improves safety and saves energy. Watch the traffic and keep a steady speed when you can. This makes the car more efficient in both electric and gasoline driving modes.

Check tire pressure and keep up with car maintenance. Keeping the right tire pressure, shown on the door, lowers rolling resistance and improves fuel economy. Regular maintenance, like oil changes and air filter replacements, makes sure the engine runs well. Don’t forget to review all Audi fuel economy data to see how different models perform.