Audi A3 Sedan 2025 Review

The compact luxury sedan market has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Consumers are seeking the refinement brought by brands, while also demanding greater practicality in features and a better driving experience. As a facelifted model, the core selling points of the 2025 Audi A3 Sedan public focus on upgraded design details, intelligent configuration upgrades, and optimized dynamic tuning. The key purpose of this test drive was to verify whether these upgrades truly enhance the sense of satisfaction in daily use.

In terms of appearance, the 2025 Audi A3 Sedan public continues the sharp family-style design, but the detail adjustments make it more distinctive. The hexagonal front grille has been slightly reduced in size, with a smoked honeycomb pattern inside, paired with redesigned LED daytime running lights — the light clusters have been changed from the segmented style to an integrated L-shape, creating an "arrow" visual effect when lit, offering strong nighttime recognition. The side profile retains a sleek fastback silhouette, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the taillight. The 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels feature a matte silver finish, which is sportier compared to the previous glossy design. Changes at the rear are mainly on the taillights and rear bumper. The taillight structure has been adjusted to horizontal light bars, and the rear bumper now features a decorative diffuser-like element, which, while not providing actual performance enhancements, adds visual layers.

Sitting inside the car, the familiar Audi virtual cockpit layout remains but with noticeable upgrades in materials and features. The upper part of the center console is covered with soft slush-molded materials, and the armrests on the door panels are wrapped in suede, offering a more refined tactile feel compared to the previous model. The 10.1-inch floating central display remains atop the dashboard, but the system has been upgraded to the latest MIB 4.0, improving smoothness of operation. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and introduces natural language recognition for voice commands, so saying "Turn on the air conditioning" or "Navigate to the nearest gas station" produces instant responses without needing preset commands. The seats feature a leather and fabric combination design, with the front seats offering electric adjustments and lumbar support, ensuring comfort during long drives.

Regarding space, the vehicle's dimensions are 4500mm×1820mm×1430mm, with a wheelbase of 2630mm, aligning with the mainstream level in the compact sedan category. When the front seats are adjusted to a comfortable driving position, the rear legroom remains at about two fists, and while the headroom is slightly tight due to the fastback design, passengers up to 175cm tall can sit without their heads hitting the roof. Storage space is practical; the door pockets can hold two 500ml water bottles, the center console box is deep enough for a folding umbrella, and the trunk offers a capacity of 425L — enough to accommodate two 28-inch suitcases with room to spare, meeting the needs of daily family usage. The rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB-C charging ports, indicating thoughtful attention to detail.

For the powertrain, the version we test drove was equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 150 horsepower and peak torque of 250 N·m, matched with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. During daily driving, the power output is smooth in the low rpm range, with no sluggishness at start-up. When pressing the accelerator deeply, the transmission shifts quickly, and the mid-range acceleration is strong, providing plenty of confidence when overtaking. There are three driving modes available: Eco, Comfort, and Sport. In Eco mode, the throttle response slows down, making it suitable for congested urban roads; in Sport mode, the gearbox stays in lower gears, delivering immediate power, making it suitable for highway driving. Fuel consumption is impressive, achieving 7.2L/100km in urban traffic conditions and dropping to 5.8L/100km on highways — meeting expectations for this class.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play. It feels light at low speeds and heavier at high speeds, achieving a well-balanced feel. The suspension uses a front MacPherson and rear multi-link setup, tuned for comfort while maintaining a certain level of support. When going over speed bumps, the suspension filters out most of the bumps without a noticeable rebound; when cornering, the body roll is controlled well, and it doesn’t feel unstable. The brake pedal feel is linear, with some play at the initial stage, but offers sufficient stopping power when pressed deeper. During emergency braking, the vehicle remains stable and does not swerve.

As for driving comfort, the noise isolation is excellent. At speeds below 80km/h, wind noise and road noise are almost inaudible. At highway speeds of 120km/h, wind noise becomes slightly noticeable but does not affect normal conversation. The seat offers good wrap-around support and cushioning, making long drives comfortable without causing fatigue or back pain. The dual-clutch transmission occasionally has slight jerks during low-speed gear shifts, but it doesn’t affect daily use and is within an acceptable range.

Overall, the updates in the 2025 Audi A3 Sedan public are focused on aspects that users can perceive in everyday use: sportier exterior details, more refined interior materials, more practical smart systems, and more balanced dynamic tuning. Compared to competitors in the same class like the BMW 1 Series or Mercedes-Benz A-Class, its configuration is more comprehensive, and its price (although not yet announced, based on the previous model and competitor pricing) is expected to offer better value for money. It is suitable for young family users who want the quality of a luxury brand but also value practicality and driving experience. If you’re considering a compact luxury sedan, this car is worth adding to your shortlist.