Over the ten years I’ve been doing this, I have driven hundreds of cars. Somehow, that list has never included the Audi A3. I have driven its big brother, the RS 3, and I was absolutely head over heels in love. So, I was excited to see this 2025 A3 Premium Plus on my review roster. It’s got just over half the horsepower of the RS version, so let’s see how it stacks up.
2025 Audi A3 Overview
The A3’s fourth generation (third for us in the states) launched in 2022, and the 2025 model year features a refreshed interior and exterior. For the first time, all-wheel drive is standard across all A3 versions. The 2025 lineup is easy to navigate, offering two trim levels. Pricing starts at just over $38,000 for the Premium and nearly $41,000 for the Premium Plus. The Progressive Red Metallic paint on our tester adds $595, as do all colors except black and white (which also have metallic versions).
Our A3 has some add-ons, but not as many as it seems. The Premium Plus package adds $2,600 to the total cost, but it appears as an add-on on the window sticker. You can read through the additional details below. You get a host of technology and convenience features, and it seems like a pretty solid option to add to your A3.
Audi also included the Black Optic package ($1,750) and the Technology package ($1,600). Consider the Black Optic add-on as a type of sport package. It’s primarily focused on appearance, but it also provides a different set of tires and a 15 mm lower suspension compared to the stock version.
- 18″ 5-double-spoke modular design wheels, bicolor finish
- 225/40 R18 92H XL all-season tires
- Anthracite colored Audi rings front and rear
- Black exterior trim
- Sport suspension (-15mm)
Meanwhile, the Technology package is just what it sounds like.
- Audi connect® NAV and PLUS
- Audi MMI navigation plus
- Audi virtual cockpit plus (12.3″ screen)
- Asterix App and Smartphone package
- Traffic sign recognition
This red A3 costs just over $46,000 out the door. Let’s see how it performs as a daily driver and whether it makes it onto the recommended list.
2025 Audi A3 Premium Plus S line: Inside & Out
Audi has been on a roll with its exterior designs. There aren’t any current models in the lineup that I dislike. The A3 looks great for 2025 and creates a strong first impression. Its compact size appears purposeful and light, without a lot of unnecessary details. A strong line goes from headlight to taillight, giving the A3 a muscular aura.
The rear features a sporty taillight design, while the trapezoidal front air dam is somewhat oversized for such a small vehicle, yet it remains free of unnecessary details. The 18-inch double-spoke wheels aren’t my favorite design, but they look pretty solid. Additionally, they aren’t black, which is a refreshing change of pace.
The interior isn’t quite as tidy and pristine, but it offers an impressive blend of sportiness and practicality. The combination of metallic accents and fighter-pilot cockpit-like designs adds a touch of drama and spectacle to the overall experience. It actually reminds me a bit of the Lamborghini Urus I drove a few years ago. And that’s a good thing. I’ve long been a fan of Audi’s “virtual cockpit” which gives you a hugely customizable 12.3-inch driver’s screen. The main infotainment screen is nicely integrated and easy to use.
From a usability standpoint, it seems they went out of their way to avoid a round dial. I appreciate the thumb roller on the steering wheel for adjusting the volume. The other control that is slightly circular is the audio controller to the right of the shifting area. You can run your finger around the edge to increase or decrease the volume. It’s fine; I like a volume knob, but apparently I’m old-fashioned.
From a comfort standpoint, the seats were comfortable and reasonably adjustable. It’s cool how the headrest slides forward and back instead of up and down. I felt like this non-typical adjustment method provided a better head-to-headrest ratio. Oh, what’s that? It’s where it’s not right up on your head, but not so far back that you’ll get whiplash in the event of a rear-ending.
Also, and this is a big one, the heated seats work marvelously! I’m on record as not really liking heated seats. Like, ever. They’re always too warm, but these are spot on. I started on level three and dropped to level two, and it just felt… good. Finally, someone who doesn’t burn my butt with their heated seats.
Need some junk in the trunk (apologies for that), well, there are 8.3 cubic feet available. It fits the “less is more” angle of the A3 and will hold just about any grocery load short of a trip to Costco. Meanwhile, rear legroom isn’t massive but comes in at a maximum of 35.2 inches.
2025 Audi A3 Premium Plus S line: On the Road
So, it looks fast, but is it? Audi cites a six-second trip to 60 mph, which I consider relatively quick, if not fast. Growing up in my early 20s in the early 2000s, this would have easily kept up with many of the sport compact cars from that era. Unfortunately, the 201 horsepower is just one HP better than my 2001 Honda Prelude, which had a manual transmission. The 236 lb-ft of torque is a bit better, but at 3,461 pounds, it’s not necessarily a lightweight.
Wait, for today’s modern cars, it actually is. Never mind. Either way, it’s reasonably quick on the road. There’s a bit of turbo lag; when you step on it, there’s definitely a pause. I ended up hitting my head on the headrest because of the delay. However, and this is a big one, it gets impressive gas mileage. During my week with the A3, it showed over 30 MPG via the on-board computer and more than 450 miles of range. The EPA testing shows a 28-mpg combined city/highway rating, which is more than solid.
Summary
What you are getting for your money is a compact executive car. When I was in my 20s, working for a consulting company in D.C., this would have been how I entered the parking garage in the morning. Assuming I could afford it.
Today, if you don’t need to transport larger humans in the back seat, it’s excellent. It gets solid MPG, is quite quick, and has a great mix of features. So, the A3 is a “would recommend.” Thanks for reading.