2025 Audi A3 review
It may be the lowest-priced model in Audi’s lineup, but the A3 doesn’t feel entry-level. The compact sedan gets a refresh for the 2025 model year with an updated exterior look featuring the signature Audi grille and stylish new customizable LED running lights. Significant interior enhancements include upgraded materials with styling updates and improved ambient lighting with a unique backlit fabric design on the doors. Quattro® all-wheel drive is now standard for all A3 variants, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine gets a slight power boost.
Explore the evolution of the Audi A3
Get our expert take on used Audi A3 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Third generation Audi A3
After skipping the 2021 model year, the A3 returned to the Audi lineup in 2022, boasting all-new styling influenced by the compact sedan’s larger siblings, the A6 and A8. The cabin may be on the small side with a somewhat cramped rear seat, but the A3 comes replete with high-end materials throughout. Features like tri-zone climate control and heated seats add to the overall comfort, and front seats offer multiple adjustments and available Nappa leather trim. All A3s came standard with an intuitive infotainment system presented on a 10.1-inch touchscreen, as well as Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ with a wireless connection.
Powering this third-generation A3 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid engine, and while its 201 horsepower doesn’t sound like much, it delivers spritely performance. Front-wheel drive was standard, with the option of Quattro® all-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is standard in 2025. A quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is the only transmission option.
Model highlights
Standard Quattro® all-wheel drive (added in 2025)
Programmable LED running lights (added in 2025)
Fuel-efficient turbocharged mild hybrid engine
Wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ standard
Available Audi Virtual Cockpit
Second generation Audi A3
The compact Audi A3 came into its second generation with some significant changes. A new sedan replaced the hatchback, and a new Cabriolet (convertible) was added with a power-operated soft top that could open in just 18 seconds. Three trim levels were offered at launch, but even the base-level Premium came well equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen display, leather seats, xenon headlights, and alloy wheels. Most advanced driver-assist features, like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, required the purchase of an optional package.
When it arrived in 2015, the A3 was offered with two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder for the front-wheel-drive models and a 2.0-liter engine powering the Quattro® all-wheel-drive versions. Audi also sold the A3 with a fuel-efficient TDI turbo diesel engine, but because of the company’s diesel issues, it was only offered for one year. A plug-in hybrid version called the A3 E-tron joined the lineup in 2016 with a Sportback body style, and is reviewed separately.
Model highlights
E-tron plug-in hybrid (2016-18)
Available Quattro® all-wheel drive
TDI diesel engine (2015 only)
Forward collision warning with brake assist standard (2017)
Available Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ (added in 2017)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2022 - 2025
2025 Audi A3
Highlights
Refreshed exterior styling
Updated interior
Quattro® all-wheel drive now standard
Engine makes additional 15 lb-ft of torque
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2024 Audi A3
2023 Audi A3
2022 Audi A3
Previous generation from 2015 - 2020
2020 Audi A3
2019 Audi A3
2018 Audi A3
2017 Audi A3
Highlights
Turbocharged 2.0-liter engine added
Forward collision mitigation system standard
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2016 Audi A3
Highlights
Rear camera, heated mirrors, and heated washer nozzles newly standard
S Line style package offered
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2015 Audi A3
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Audi A3 an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Audi A3 15th out of 25 among Luxury Compact Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Audi A3 is $582, compared to an average of $546 for Luxury Compact Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Audi A3 owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 2.0 times per year, compared to an average of 1.8 times for Luxury Compact Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 12% for the Audi A3, compared to an average of 12% for Luxury Compact Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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