While the 2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0L gets 29 MPG combined, fuel economy isn’t the biggest concern for most buyers of this stylish convertible. People buy this car for its premium brand, refined interior, and the experience of open-air driving with the push of a button. While good gas mileage is a plus, the driving experience is what matters most.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the A3 Cabriolet gets 26 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. The 35 MPG figure is respectable for a vehicle with this level of performance and features, enabling long weekend trips without using too much gas. The city figure, though lower, is still competitive in the luxury compact segment. The A3’s turbocharged engine and seven-speed automatic transmission handle stop-and-go driving easily, and since the A3 Cabriolet is often used for recreational drives, the city MPG is unlikely to be a major issue for buyers.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet at $1,500. This assumes 15,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs will likely be different based on your driving, the fuel type, and local prices. Still, the $1,500 gives a benchmark for comparing the A3 Cabriolet’s costs with other cars. You can compare Audi fuel economy data here.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are useful, but real-world fuel economy can vary. Drivers who accelerate quickly or drive in heavy traffic may see lower MPG than the official figures, those who drive mainly on the highway and drive conservatively might exceed the EPA’s 35 MPG highway estimate. The A3 Cabriolet’s light weight and efficient engine help maintain consistent fuel economy, and this makes it less prone to large MPG swings than larger, heavier cars.

How it compares

In the premium compact convertible category, the A3 Cabriolet competes with cars like the BMW 2 Series Convertible. A BMW 230i Convertible with similar features gets an EPA-estimated 28 MPG combined, slightly less than the A3. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet, which is larger and more powerful, gets around 25 MPG combined, which means the A3 is more efficient of the three. For buyers, especially in cities, the A3’s better fuel economy and smaller size might be what they want. It’s worth comparing A3 MPG across all years and body styles to understand trends over time; click here to explore the A3.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Audi A3 Cabriolet’s S tronic dual-clutch transmission is made for both performance and good gas mileage. If equipped, the “Efficiency” driving mode will help save fuel by changing shift points and throttle response. Even without a specific efficiency mode, using “Drive” instead of “Sport” will make the car upshift sooner and accelerate more easily, which also improves MPG.

Tire inflation is important. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the doorjamb sticker. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which lowers fuel economy and causes tires to wear out faster. Checking tire pressure offers a simple way to see tangible improvement.

Keep the car light. Carrying extra weight in the trunk or back seat uses more engine power, hurting fuel economy. Remove things you don’t regularly need.

Avoid fast acceleration. While the A3 Cabriolet’s turbocharged engine gives good power, hard acceleration uses more fuel. Accelerate smoothly to maintain good gas mileage.

When possible, cruise control on the highway. Keeping a consistent speed on long drives will help consume less fuel than speeding up and slowing down. Cruise control helps the car keep a steady pace, improving efficiency.