Audi revealed the updated A3 model for European buyers, but these changes should translate to the U.S. version soon.
It may not bring the same posh and panache of its larger siblings, but the entry-level Audi A3 is a surprisingly strong seller here in the U.S., shifting (just) more than the A4 last year. With a decently affordable price tag, this model is still an important bookend in the brand’s lineup, so it’s getting a mid-cycle refresh to try and keep up the momentum against its compact premium rivals. The automaker just debuted the updated version for Europe, but we expect these changes to make their way stateside in the coming months.
At its heart, the 2025 Audi A3 brings the sort of tweaks you’d expect from a refresh. Up front, the fascia gets a few nips and tucks with the frameless grille and a new four-ring Audi badge. The lower fascia also changes, with reshaped air intakes. Around the back, it’s a similar story, as the updated A3 gets a revised rear bumper design, and generally the whole lower fascia is a bit different.
Progressive Red (shown above) is a new color in the palette for the 2025 model year.
Audi’s real party trick here, though, deals with the headlight design. Specifically, drivers can choose between four different daytime running light signatures. You can select the pattern of the multi-segment LED lighting assembly through the infotainment system, so you can cycle through them at your leisure when you want to change things up.
Inside, the 2025 Audi A3 packs a few modest changes to change up the feel from the previous cars. Instead of a thin rocker-style switch for a gear selector, the new A3 gets a larger sliding mechanism that splits the difference with a more old-school shifter, despite still being a shift-by-wire setup. This refreshed model also gets new HVAC vents and an updated dashboard with 30-color ambient lighting. Buyers can also choose a Sonos 3D surround sound system if they want an upgrade over the standard system.
At the moment, Audi only detailed powertrain options for Europe. A 1.5-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid setup and turbodiesel are on tap there, though we expect the U.S. version to retain the 2.0-liter turbo engine making 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. European customers also get a Sportback model as well as a lifted version called the “Allstreet” (rather than Allroad), though we Americans are just stuck with the same four-door sedan.
Since we don’t have the U.S. specs yet, pricing is still up in the air. However, this mid-cycle update shouldn’t cost much more than the current car’s $36,895 starting MSRP. That’s for the front-wheel drive version: If you want Quattro all-wheel drive, then you’ll have to spend another $2,000.