Audi’s smallest car might be easy to overlook in a world of oversized SUVs and high-performance EVs but there’s still a lot to like about the A3, especially for those seeking something compact, efficient, and genuinely premium-feeling.
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The A3 was first launched in 1996, and in 2020, it entered its fourth generation with a more modern and mature look. It has not been selling in the same numbers as the third-gen model, but it still serves an important role as the entry-level model in Audi’s range.
Last year it underwent a facelift, bringing with it a slightly more striking look and updated lights. Unfortunately, this update brought with it a significant price hike, meaning in Australia the base Sportback model now starts at AU$54,800 (~$35,400), up AU$4,200 ($2,700) from last year, which itself was already quite a hefty chunk of change for a hatch of this size.
Up until recently, I’d never had a chance to drive the fourth-gen A3, but I recently spent a week living with the base A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic, which proved to be an excellent daily. However, the price may be hard to justify for some.
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Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
What’s New For 2025?
In updating the A3 for the 2025 model year, Audi has introduced a wider Singleframe black grille and redesigned the lower lip spoiler. There are also newly-shaped air intakes, but on the model we tested, they’re completely non-functional and covered in cheap black plastic.
A new set of LED headlights and taillights has also been introduced for 2025. While the 35 TFSI S tronic we tested sits at the base of the local range, it looks certifiably sporty. However, there’s nothing particularly sporty about the powertrain.
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Driving the car is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 148 hp (110 kW) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. This engine is mated up to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, sending power solely through the front wheels. Aussie shoppers can order the 35 TFSI in both Sportback and Sedan guises, both packing the same powertrain.
Interestingly, there’s also a mild-hybrid system that’s been incorporated, which adds 12 hp (9 kW) and 37 lb-ft (50 Nm). Given the A3’s modest performance figures, it comes as no surprise that it’s not particularly spritely, requiring 8.1 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph).
Just a single trim level of the A3 Sportback and Sedan is available in the local market, although both models can be configured with the Comfort package and the Style package. The first of these adds an electric tailgate while the Style pack includes 18-inch Audi Sport wheels, black exterior styling, privacy glass, black wing mirrors, and configurable ambient lighting. Our tester featured both, bringing its total price up to $58,810 (~$38,000) before applicable on-road costs and charges.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A Sporty And Spacious Interior
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The cabin is a great place to spend time. I’m a big fan of the layout of this generation of Audi, preferring it over the slightly odd cabin designs of brand-new Audi models, like the A6 e-tron.
The steering wheel is perfectly sized and surprisingly sporty. Sitting behind it is Audi’s superb 12.3-inch virtual cockpit plus. While this basic system is relatively old, and the software is somewhat basic, it remains one of the better digital gauge clusters on the market.
Positioned in the center of the dash is a 10.1-inch infotainment display using Audi’s familiar software. Angular air vents have then been incorporated into the dash, which itself is quite angular, nicely complementing the exterior design.
Photos Audi Australia
On the other hand, some elements of the cabin aren’t quite so nice. For starters, there’s far too much high-gloss piano black plastic around the electronic shifter and the Start/Stop button. Additionally, there’s a notable lack of soft-touch surfaces on the dash and door panels, and an abundance of bland black plastic instead.
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Fortunately, the seats are great. Our tester’s seats were clad in a plush cloth and leatherette upholstery and were exceptionally comfortable, even over long journeys. They also offer good bolstering should owners want to engage in some sporty driving, rather than simply using the A3 as a car to get from point A to point B.
The four-way electric lumbar support is also useful. However, a lack of electric adjustment for the front passenger seat, even though not a big deal, is a strange cost-saving measure, particularly since both front seats are heated.
Photos Audi Australia
Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, as are DAB+ digital radio and a small wireless phone charger. The A3 35 TFSI also comes standard with a solid 10-speaker audio system.
When it comes to ferrying around passengers, the A3 does the job well enough. Rear space is solid and a couple of adults can fit comforably. There are no controls to adjust the fan speed in the rear, but there is a scroll wheel to tweak the temperature, which is nice.
Cargo space is good. With the rear seats in position, the A3 Sportback offers up 380 liters (13.4 cubic feet) of carrying capacity and 1,200 liters (42.3 cubic feet) with the seats folded down. A cargo net on the floor is a welcome inclusion.
What’s It Like To Drive?
Soon after sliding into the A3’s seat and setting off, it became immediately clear that it feels sportier than the equivalent VW Golf with which it shares its MQB architecture.
Mind you, it’s not fast. As mentioned, it takes over 8 seconds to hit 62 mph. However, the direct and well-weighted steering gives the 35TFSI a sporty edge. Admittedly, owners will drive their cars in urban settings most of the time, but for those wanting to venture out to a mountain road, there’s plenty of fun to be had.
The car we tested was fitted with Nexen tires, and while they are not the most premium offering, they provided a good mix of grip and comfort without an intrusive amount of noise.
Audi’s engineers have to be commended for doing a fine job with the suspension setup of the 35 TFSI, too. It remains poised and unsettled over bumps, ensuring the Sportback is well-suited to everyday driving duties.
Photos Audi Australia
A pair of paddle shifters behind the wheel allows you to shift through the gears, but the seven-speed ‘box isn’t the quickest on the market. It’s generally best when left to its own devices, smoothly changing through the gears as you build speed. As you’d imagine, the turbo three-pot isn’t characterful, nor does it sound particularly nice at higher revs. Moreover, in wet conditions, there is an unpleasant amount of wheel hop through the front tires if you’re a little too greedy with the throttle.
Efficiency is the powertrain’s strong suit. Audi says the 1.5-liter turbo sips 5.3 l/100 km (44.3 US mpg) over the combined cycle. I managed to return 5.8 l/100 km (40.5 US mpg) during my time with the car, which included a mix of highway and suburban driving. Aiding in the efficiency is the fact that the engine will deactivate two cylinders in leisurely driving. There’s also regenerative braking, allowing the car to recuperate as much as 12 kW.
Photos Audi Australia
Verdict
The latest A3 is a solid all-rounder. In base form, it may not be particularly inspiring, but it ticks all of the important boxes for those in the market for a premium hatchback with the Ingolsdadt-based brand’s cache.
Audi’s team has done a fine job of perfectly walking the line between warm hatch and comfortable cruiser, building a car that’s efficient when it needs to be, but can be surprisingly enjoyable to drive along a twisty road. As a whole, it serves as a great entry into the brand’s expansive family of models. However, price-conscious hatchback and sedan buyers might want to look elsewhere – as they probably should, because the likes of Audi do not highlight value for money being one of their strongest selling points anyway.