The Audi A3, redesigned in 2015 after a brief market absence, has consistently garnered attention for its safety features and robust crash performance. This article delves into a detailed analysis of the 2018 Audi A3’s safety ratings, drawing from rigorous tests conducted by leading safety organizations. Understanding these ratings is crucial for prospective buyers prioritizing safety in their vehicle choice.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Assessment
The driver-side small overlap front test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. This test is particularly demanding as it focuses stress on the vehicle’s outer edges, bypassing the main energy-absorbing structures.
During the 2018 Audi A3 driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, the vehicle demonstrated exceptional structural integrity. The safety cage maintained its form commendably, earning a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage. All driver injury measures were also rated “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world scenario mirroring this test. Measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot all received the highest possible rating. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also evaluated as “Good,” signifying effective occupant protection systems.
Post-crash analysis of the dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel revealed that the 2018 Audi A3 effectively maintained the driver’s survival space. This is a critical factor in preventing serious injuries during a collision.
The frontal and side curtain airbags in the 2018 Audi A3 performed seamlessly, working in tandem to shield the head from contact with rigid structures or external objects, further minimizing potential head injuries.
Minimal intrusion into the driver’s space was observed in the test, translating to a reduced likelihood of injuries to the legs and feet. Technical measurements confirmed these observations, with minimal intrusion values and low injury measures across all critical body regions.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max intrusion | 13 |
| Footrest intrusion | 7 |
| Left toepan intrusion | 4 |
| Brake pedal intrusion | 1 |
| Rocker panel lateral average intrusion | 2 |
| Steering column displacement | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max intrusion | 6 |
| Upper dash intrusion | 7 |
| Lower instrument panel intrusion | 6 |
Driver Injury Measures – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 103 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 25 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 0.0 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.62 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.66 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates the protection offered to the front passenger.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
The 2018 Audi A3 achieved a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. The structure and safety cage again earned a “Good” rating, indicating consistent structural performance across both sides of the vehicle. Passenger injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated “Good”. Driver injury measures, assessed in this test as well, also received “Good” ratings across the board.
However, the passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were rated as “Acceptable”. The assessment noted that while the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag, it moved towards the right side, potentially leaving it vulnerable. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure and external objects.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max intrusion | 14 |
| Footrest intrusion | 15 |
| Right toepan intrusion | 6 |
| Center toepan intrusion | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average intrusion | 0 |
| Center dash intrusion | 4 |
| Upper hinge pillar max intrusion | 6 |
| Upper dash intrusion | 7 |
| Right lower dash intrusion | 6 |
Passenger Injury Measures – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 95 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 29 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.30 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 19 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.41 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.27 |
Driver Injury Measures – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 153 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 24 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.33 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.22 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Assessment
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacts a deformable barrier. This test is a more traditional frontal crash assessment.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
The 2018 Audi A3 received a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front test. All evaluation criteria, including structure and safety cage, driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, and legs/feet, and driver restraints and dummy kinematics, were rated “Good”.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest intrusion | 3 |
| Left footwell intrusion | 4 |
| Center footwell intrusion | 6 |
| Right footwell intrusion | 2 |
| Brake pedal intrusion | 4 |
| Left instrument panel rearward movement | -1 |
| Right instrument panel rearward movement | -1 |
| Steering column upward movement | -1 |
| Steering column rearward movement | -6 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 212 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 31 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.36 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.39 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Assessment
The side impact test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in a side collision. The 2018 Audi A3 was tested with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | A |
| Pelvis/Leg | A |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
The Audi A3 achieved a “Good” overall rating in the side impact test. Structure and safety cage and driver head protection, as well as rear passenger injury measures for head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg, and rear passenger head protection all received “Good” ratings. Driver injury measures for torso and pelvis/leg were rated “Acceptable”, while head/neck was rated “Good”.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Test
| Measure | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -17.0 |
Driver Injury Measures – Side Impact Test
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 503 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection (mm) | 43 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 41 |
| Torso Average Deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 3.84 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.82 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force (kN) | 3.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 5.2 |
| Left Femur L-M Force (kN) | 1.1 |
Passenger Injury Measures – Side Impact Test
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 165 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Torso Average Deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 5.12 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.80 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Left Femur L-M Force (kN) | 0.6 |
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Curb Weight | 3,116 lbs |
| Peak Force | 19,325 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 6.20 |
The 2018 Audi A3 achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.20. This indicates that the roof can withstand over six times the vehicle’s weight before significant deformation, providing robust protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints and Seats
The evaluation of head restraints and seats assesses their effectiveness in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Dynamic Rating | G |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | G |
The 2018 Audi A3 with power leather seats received a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats, both for dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry. This signifies effective whiplash protection for occupants.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints and Seats
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 22 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 13 |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 14.5 |
| Head Contact Time (ms) | 54 |
| Force Rating | 1 |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 0 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 389 |
Headlight Performance
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The 2018 Audi A3 was evaluated with different headlight variations.
Prestige Trim – LED Projector Headlights
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A |
| Low-beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-beam Headlight Type | LED Reflector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-Beam Assist? | Yes |
The Prestige trim with LED projector headlights received an “Acceptable” overall rating. Low beams provided good visibility on the right side of the straightaway and fair on the left. High beams offered good visibility on the gradual right curve and fair on other curves. High-beam assist compensates for some low beam limitations.
Premium Plus Trim with LED Lighting Package – LED Projector Headlights
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A |
| Low-beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-beam Headlight Type | LED Reflector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-Beam Assist? | No |
The Premium Plus trim with the LED Lighting package also received an “Acceptable” overall headlight rating, with similar performance characteristics to the Prestige trim’s LED headlights.
Premium and Premium Plus Trims – HID Projector Headlights
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | P |
| Low-beam Headlight Type | HID Projector |
| High-beam Headlight Type | HID Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-Beam Assist? | No |
The Premium and Premium Plus trims with standard HID projector headlights received a “Poor” overall rating. Both low and high beams provided inadequate visibility in most test scenarios.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The 2018 Audi A3’s standard “Audi Pre Sense Front” system was evaluated for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
| Forward Collision Warning | Meets requirements |
| 12 mph Test | Avoided Collision |
| 25 mph Test | Avoided Collision |
The system earned a “Superior” rating, successfully avoiding collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meeting forward collision warning requirements.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) in the 2018 Audi A3 was evaluated for ease of use.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Acceptable |
| Number of LATCH positions | 2 complete, 1 tether only |
The 2018 Audi A3 received an “Acceptable” rating for child seat anchors. It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with only a tether anchor. While generally usable, some anchors were noted as being difficult to maneuver around.
Child Seat Anchor Details by Position
| Position | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acceptable | Tether anchor easy to find, lower anchors not too deep, difficult to maneuver |
| 2 | Not Rated | Tether anchor easy to find, no lower anchors available |
| 3 | Acceptable | Tether anchor easy to find, lower anchors not too deep, difficult to maneuver |
Conclusion
The 2018 Audi A3 demonstrates strong safety performance across a range of crash tests. It achieved “Good” ratings in most categories, indicating a high level of occupant protection. While headlight performance varies by trim, and LATCH system usability is acceptable, the 2018 Audi A3 stands as a safe and reliable choice in its class. Its superior front crash prevention system further enhances its safety credentials, making it a compelling option for safety-conscious buyers.
