2025 Audi A3 35 TFSI S line review TechTricks365

Audi has taken a very different route to its arch nemesis BMW in executing the mid-life refresh for its high-volume small car.

Where the latest 1 Series had such a substantial redesign it’s almost considered an all-new model, the 2025 Audi A3’s styling revisions are so subtle that some may blink and miss them.

With two decades and 65,000 sales under its belt since its Australian introduction, the A3 is basically the original luxury hatchback if you discount the awkward MPV-styled original Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Audi’s formula of dressing up the capable underpinnings of the Volkswagen Golf has attracted more than six million buyers worldwide as of February this year, and in its current form the A3 aims to be the most mature and value-packed step into the premium auto brand space yet.

Headlining this mid-life facelift for the fourth generation is value. Audi Australia claims to have added more than $10,000 of value to the entry-level A3, which commands a $4200 surcharge over its predecessor.

Previously optional equipment is now largely standard, as are the S line exterior and interior packages which make even the most affordable variant look and feel like an S3 without the beefed-up powertrain – while still being more affordable and better specified than its key German rivals.

Are Audi’s subtle upgrades enough to tempt prospective buyers away from BMW and Mercedes-Benz dealers, and perhaps even from Mazda and Volkswagen showrooms? We joined the Australian media launch at Cairns in far north Queensland to find out.

How does the Audi A3 compare?

View a detailed breakdown of the Audi A3 against similarly sized vehicles.

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A3

How much does the Audi A3 cost?

Prices have risen between $4200 and $4700 for the base A3 35 TFSI, with the outgoing 40 TFSI quattro not currently available with the facelifted range.

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Audi A3 like on the inside?

The overall design of the cockpit is pretty much the same but, like the exterior, there are some subtle changes that come with the facelift.

Want to play spot the difference? Just kidding – here are some of the ‘headline’ changes for the 2025 Audi A3 inside.

Ahead of the driver is a larger 12.3-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ digital instrument cluster (up from 10.25-inch), and the centre console has been revised to accommodate a new shift-by-wire gear selector that is straight out of the e-tron GT performance EV.

The air vents have been redesigned with softer edges, and the dashboard now has a contrasting double stitch element through it. There’s a new dark aluminium trim inlay on the dash, and the door panels now get ambient illumination.

You’ll notice the new home screen for the 10.1-inch ‘MMI touch’ infotainment display too, in line with Audi’s latest models. There’s also additional app integration too, like a native Spotify application for music streaming.

The S line interior package brings beefier Sport front seats with integrated head restraints and S embossing. As standard, they’re trimmed in leather on the bolsters and cloth on the inserts – full leather-appointed trim is a $1100 option.

Compared to the previous A3 35 TFSI with standard seats, they’re infinitely more comfortable and supportive, and the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable including lumbar as standard. A highlight are the extendable thigh cushions, and there’s three-stage heating as standard, too.

As we’ve said previously, Audi’s restrained approach to digitisation is the preferred method compared to the wider Volkswagen Group, with simple and user-friendly software used for the driver’s display and central touchscreen.

The climate controls remain tactile, physical units with a clean digital panel showing temperature and fan speed. Audi’s click-clacky switch action also feels quite upmarket, and gloss black surfaces are kept to a minimum if you excuse the centre console surround.

Now the obvious question here is “does it feel justifiably more premium than a Golf?”

Personally, the design and ambience does feel classier than a Mk8 Golf as well as the pre-facelift Cupra Leon. That said, compared to the positively luxurious previous A3, we have some complaints.

The silver painted plastic surfaces don’t feel particularly plush, nor do the grained hard plastics lining the sides of the centre console or sections of the doors.

Even the incoming Cupra Leon facelift will bring padded and stitched leatherette accents on the centre console, door handles and dashboard.

Still, the Audi’s clean and classic layout feels more upmarket than its MQB evo platform-based siblings, and its key touch points do feel a step above its relatives. Further, Audi’s software and display tech is cleaner and more user friendly.

There’s been minimal changes in the second row, with the main change being the updated upholstery and the addition of a third zone of climate control – oddly something the A3 previously lacked compared to the Golf, Leon and Octavia.

Rear seat accommodation is fine. I’m a little over 6’1 and can fit behind my own driving position relatively comfortably, but any taller people in either row could be a slight squeeze.

The bulkier Sport seats with integrated head restraints up front also make forward visibility from the rear more limited than before. There’s also a big driveline hump in the centre to allow for the quattro all-wheel drive hardware in other variants, so middle seat riders will have to share the tighter footwells either side.

Kids and average adults will be fine in the rear, though like most smaller hatchbacks the A3 is best seen as a 4+1 seater. Amenities include a fold-down armrest with cupholders, the aforementioned third zone of climate control with directional vents, a pair of USB-C charge ports, bottle holders in the doors, and net-type pockets behind the front seats.

Further, you get the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchor points in the rear for the littlest ones.

Behind the second row, the A3 Sportback offers 380 litres of space, while the A3 Sedan offers a more generous 425 litres. Both offer folding seat backs to open up more space, but the Sportback is the obvious pick if you use that configuration often.

A storage and compartment package is standard on the 35 TFSI S line, bringing additional netting and power outlets in the second row and boot area, which is handy. Unlike the high-performance S3, the A3 gets a space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor instead of a tyre repair kit.

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The 35 TFSI retains its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with fuel-saving cylinder on demand (CoD) and 48V mild-hybrid technologies . It’s a powertrain that thus far hasn’t appeared in its platform mates in Australia.

The 1.5-litre ‘TFSI’ petrol motor offers both mild-hybrid assistance via a belt-driven starter/alternator, providing a 9kW/50Nm boost under hard acceleration, and cylinder shutdown technology to cut fuel use.

Using regenerative braking, the A3 35 TFSI can recuperate up to 12kW to store in its small lithium-ion battery, while the CoD system can make the A3 effectively a two-cylinder under low engine loads to reduce fuel consumption.

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Audi A3 drive?

The launch drive of the updated Audi A3 and S3 took us from the Cairns waterfront up to Lake Barrine and back. We did the hillclimb in the S3, and then the descent in the A3.

After hopping out of the new AWD monster – which we’ll cover in a separate review next week – I was worried I might be underwhelmed by the less powerful A3’s dynamism and performance. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised.

Many will be quick to knock the 35 TFSI’s modest 110kW and 250Nm outputs, and even perhaps the claimed 8.1-second 0-100km/h acceleration time. As with many small-capacity turbo engines from Europe, it punches above its weight.

Peak torque at just 1500rpm means you get this effortless wave of twist from just above idle, and it continues to 3500rpm. At the upper end you’re pushing the 1.5-litre engine a little more than it’d like, but at higher speeds including an overtake on a 100km/h country highway the A3 impressed with pretty good rolling response.

Part of that could be down to the mild-hybrid assistance, which is primarily designed to save fuel by adding performance and therefore reducing throttle openings in any given situation, but the belt-driven alternator starter can add a 9kW/50Nm boost under hard acceleration. At times it’ll also apply regen braking to recharge the small on-board battery, which can take a little getting used to at first but it’s not disjointed.

The seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto is quick and snappy, though occasionally the shift from first to second can feel a little elastic. Still, it’s good at shifting early for efficiency and maximising the petrol engine’s solid torque.

You can flick it into S mode via the transmission selector for more eager throttle response and to make it hold gears longer, or you can take full control via the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. I doubt many target buyers would drive the A3 like this often though.

There’s no ‘Audi drive select’ modes or adaptive damping as standard or options in the A3 35 TFSI, but the passive suspension setup strikes a good balance between comfort and dynamism, although I’d like a bit more weight from the steering feel to match the S line looks.

It handles well though, with pretty flat cornering for a ‘standard’ hatchback and good grip from the 225/40 R18 Nexens fitted to the District Green A3 Sportback I drove.

Back to that mild-hybrid system. The 35 TFSI’s 1.5-litre turbo four-pot features both 48V electrical assistance as well as Cylinder on Demand technology, which can deactivate up to two cylinders under light engine loads.

Officially, Audi only claims a 0.4L/100km benefit from the 48V system on the combined cycle, but the outright efficiency of the 1.5 TFSI engine is very impressive – I managed an indicated 6.1L/100km with a mix of dynamic, highway and urban driving conditions without even trying.

It also brings a benefit to standing-start response, effectively alleviating the initial hesitation that dual-clutch automatics have when setting off as the clutches engage. The A3 will also regularly shut off its engine when coasting to save fuel, quickly firing back to life without fuss if you tap the accelerator or brakes.

Previously, I’ve managed low- to mid-fives in the pre-update A3 with this drivetrain, albeit with a greater skew towards daily driving conditions in both freeway and city traffic. That’s almost half the fuel I used in the S3 on the reverse of the route.

As for driver assistance systems, the A3 now features the full gamut of technologies as standard, headlined by adaptive cruise assist which was previously part of an option pack.

The semi-autonomous system combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring assist to take the load off you during extended highway stints. As with other VW Group models fitted with Travel Assist, it works very well. Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert add an extra set of eyes when merging into traffic or reversing out of tight spots, too.

You also get front and rear sensors with an automated parking assistant, which is handy, though it’s a shame a surround-view camera isn’t available at launch – it’s set to be added as standard on the S3 from April, and available as part of the $1700 Comfort Package on the A3.

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

Audi reckons the A3 35 TFSI S line adds more than $10,000 worth of value over the pre-facelift A3 35 TFSI, though it comes at a $4200-4700 premium.

2025 Audi A3 35 TFSI S line equipment highlights:

• 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels – gloss turned
• Space saver spare wheel
• S line exterior package
• LED headlights
• LED daytime running lights
  • incl. multiple digital signatures
• LED tail lights
• S line interior package
• Sport front seats with integrated headrests
  • incl. 4-way lumbar support
• Electric driver seat adjustment
• Heated front seats
• Headliner in black
• Inlays in dark aluminium spectrum
• Stainless steel pedals
• S multifunction steering wheel
  • Perforated leather
  • Contrast stitching
• 3-zone climate control
• 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus
• 10.1-inch MMI navigation plus
  • Voice control incl. natural speech recognition
  • 3D map display
• Audi connect plus Navigation & Infotainment– 3 years
  • Online traffic information
  • Destination entry via myAudi, Google Maps
  • Parking information
  • Weather
• Audi connect plus Security & Assistance – 3 years
  • Car finder with remote signal
  • Remote lock, unlock
  • Emergency call (10 years)
  • Online roadside assistance
  • Automatic service reminder (10 years)
• Audi smartphone interface
  • Apple CarPlay – wireless, wired
  • Android Auto – wireless, wired
• Audi connect plus
• Audi phone box light – wireless charging
• Audi sound system
• Ambient lighting
• Illuminated aluminium sill plates

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Options

A single option package as well as numerous single-item options are available on the A3 35 TFSI.

Style package: $2000

• 18-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels – black metallic
• Black exterior styling package plus
• Exterior mirror housings in Mythos Black
• Privacy glass
• Colour ambient lighting package

Comfort Package: $1700

• Exterior mirrors with:
  • Auto folding
  • Auto dimming
  • Memory function
• Electric front seats
• 360-degree surround cameras

Standalone options:

• Premium paint: $1350
• Electric tailgate: $650 (Sportback)
• Panoramic glass sunroof: $2000
• Privacy glass: $635
• Roof rails in aluminium: $550 (Sportback)
• Roof rails in black: $420 (Sportback, only with black exterior styling)
• Sport front seats in leather appointed upholstery: $1100

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Audi A3 safe?

The new Audi A3 will retain the five-star ANCAP safety rating of its predecessor, based on Euro NCAP tests conducted in 2020.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 6 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Turn assist
• Adaptive cruise assist
  • Adaptive cruise control incl. stop/go
  • Emergency assist
  • Lane centring assist
  • Traffic jam assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Park assist
• Parking sensors – front, rear
• Reversing camera

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Audi A3 cost to run?

The A3 and S3 range is covered by Audi Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty.

Over and above the standard ownership provisions, there’s an available Audi Advantage Package which extends the warranty by two years (up to seven years), in addition to two years of scheduled servicing (added to the end of any existing service plan) and roadside assistance – this costs $3250 for both A3 and S3 buyers.

Customers also receive a complimentary membership to Audi Experience for the duration of their warranty period, which offers access to “exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers”.

To see how the Audi A3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Audi A3

As far as premium compacts go, the Audi A3 remains one of, if not the best of the breed.

Where the 1 Series is constantly fighting the stigma of being a front-drive Bimmer and the A-Class seemingly gets more and more expensive, since its inception the A3 has been a segment stalwart that offers a compelling reason to step into the shallow end of a luxury carmaker’s lineup.

No longer are you paying a premium for ‘just a badge before options’. The new A3 offers stronger value than its rivals at a lower price, while drawing upon the capable componentry and technologies of the Volkswagen Group, which is well known for its objectively very good compact vehicles.

It gives baby S3 vibes but offers a smartly electrified powertrain for those that live a fast-paced life in slow-moving city traffic, and retains sophisticated and understated styling inside and out that will appeal to those not attracted by the ever-growing trend of digitised in-car controls.

Quibbles include some not-so-fancy feeling cabin materials and a tight-ish back seat, as well as the fact the A3 Sedan commands a $3000 premium for 40 litres of boot space and a mini-me A4 aesthetic.

It would be nice to see some of the features relegated to the options list or not available at all fitted as standard, such as surround-view cameras and privacy glass.

The lack of a more powerful or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option in Australia from launch is also disappointing, given it’s a big step up to the S3 and some of its exclusive equipment items.

But if you’re not fussed by the extra performance of the S3, and would prefer to pocket the $20,000-plus price difference, the new A3 35 TFSI is arguably the sweet spot in the range for everyday use, and is priced close enough to high-spec mainstream hatchbacks that it could be closer to reality for you than you might think.

My favourite spec? The A3 Sportback in District Green metallic, with the standard leather/cloth trim plus the Comfort Package, electric tailgate and privacy glass – everything you need for under $60,000!

Interested in buying an Audi A3? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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