Love at first sight
Before the 2025 Audi A3 TSFI Quattro Premium Plus S-Line was dropped off for me to review, I’d never driven an Audi. The optional District Green paint looked almost two-tone in the sun, with a shimmery pink underneath the almost military green. It had light brown leather against piano black interior accents, sharp angles on the center console, and a beautiful leather-wrapped steering wheel. Before I’d even started it, I was smitten. It looked like a car built with a purpose: to impress, and that it did.
Kristen Brown
However, like a lot of people we know, looks only got the Audi so far. Once I was able to get past the beauty, I was left feeling a bit let down. The power felt lacking, the media controls were laggy and unreliable, the driver’s seat was uncomfortable for my taller husband, and the trunk is pretty small for anything more than commuting to and from the office. Still, $46,040 is pretty affordable for an Audi. Is it worth that much? Here’s what I think.
Strength: There’s not much else that looks like an Audi
As I mentioned before, the Audi A3 quickly captivated me with its design language on the inside and outside. It’s sleek, chic, and gorgeous—and my husband noted that it doesn’t sway more towards feminine or masculine, it’s perfectly in the middle, so all powerful executives can feel elegant getting in or out of the A3. There’s no “woman’s” or “man’s” car here; everyone looks good in the A3.
Kristen Brown
All of that is especially true in District Green, a color that’s absolutely worth paying the extra $595. The Black Optic package, worth $1,550, was worth it, too, with black badges, black grille, shadowed headlights, and accented mirrors. The model I drove had the brown leather interior, which complemented the outside color perfectly. They’re both fairly neutral colors, so it wouldn’t perfectly blend in with everything around it, but it wouldn’t be too ostentatious, either. Unless, of course, you parked it in the sun.
Weakness: It feels underpowered, especially compared to the competition
The A3 comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 201 horsepower, and in my opinion, that’s simply not enough for a mid-sized sedan marketed as a performance luxury car. For comparison, the much more affordable Jetta GLI makes 228 horsepower with a similar-sized engine, and Audi makes a 2.0-liter turbo four for the S3 that makes 292 horsepower. It was slow, and while the dual-clutch eight-speed automatic helped it feel a bit more sporty, it wasn’t enough–even in Dynamic mode.
Kristen Brown
However, the lack of horsepower boosted the mpgs, as I regularly got over 20 mpg, but I would easily trade a few miles per gallon for more horsepower. If someone buys it strictly to commute in style, 201 horsepower is enough. In the canyons or twisty roads, the suspension will keep you planted, and the AWD provides plenty of grip, but the lack of luster is immediately noticeable. Though I acknowledge that’s purely a preference.
Strength: The rear seats are cozy and family-friendly
When I had my fair share behind the wheel, I had to test out the rear seats. I found them reasonably comfortable, with AC vents and USB-C charging ports for tablets or phones. The windows were a tad high up on the door panel, so visibility wasn’t the greatest, but with the tinted sunroof open, that helped bridge the gap immensely. My husband, who stands at about 6’2”, found them perfectly comfortable with a decent amount of legroom.
Kristen Brown
My toddlers fit in the Audi just fine, and the top tethers were easier to attach than most mid-sized sedans I’ve reviewed. I didn’t have to fold the seats to secure it — simply lift the headrests off and attach the clip. Easy. My toddlers enjoyed the sunroof and, of course, the premium Bang & Olufsen sound system (which they abused to listen to the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack multiple times). When we took them into the mountains, the ride was even smooth enough to lull them to sleep, which is a rare feat for most cars.
Weakness: The trunk is small. Like, really small
This only really matters if you have children or the A3 is your only car, but the trunk is small. My husband and I are in the process of relocating, so I took the A3 to my local Costco to buy some bins. I’ve written this before, but I’d wager the shoppers (and my toddlers) enjoyed watching me try and figure out how to fit three bins in the car without taking up their space in the rear. I ended up fitting a single bin in the trunk, and the other two I had to shove in the passenger’s seat after pushing it further back.
Kristen Brown
Therefore, it’s big enough for a golf bag, a briefcase, an emergency roadside kit, and a few other items, but it’s not big enough to support the family’s luggage on a road trip. Keep that in mind if you’re looking to make the A3 a family car. It would do a lot better as a commuter for a single person or a daily driver for a couple without children.
Final thoughts: Is it worth the money? For most, yes
Would I recommend it for a family? No, but I would absolutely recommend it for a high-powered executive who wants to go to work and come home in style without breaking the bank, for a couple without children who want something efficient, safe, beautiful, and fun to drive without spending an insane amount of money, or for someone looking to break into the world of sporty luxury without making payments until they’re retired. It’s a great way to get a taste of luxury and light-duty performance (and to have the privilege to say you drive an Audi) without sacrificing too much comfort, space, or mileage. Just make sure you get it in District Green.
About the author
Kristen Brown
Contributing Writer, Autoblog