In a world where car upgrades often feel like saying, “Can I upsize that?”, it’s refreshing to hop into the updated Audi S3 Sportback.
The flagship RS 3 may still be the holy grail of hot hatch dreams, but with boosted engine outputs and upgraded tech, the S3 is stepping up.
Is the S3 Sportback the smarter pick over pricier rivals? It delivers serious performance and polish without stretching into RS 3 territory. With fierce competition in the segment, let’s see what this contender brings to the table.
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Audi S3 2025: Quattro
| Engine Type | Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.9L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $78,800 |
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
8 / 10
The A3 Sportback comes in three trim levels, with the S3 technically sitting in the middle, just below the performance-focused RS 3. It's priced from $78,800, before on-road costs, and it shares the same platform and underpinnings as the Volkswagen Golf R. Surprisingly, our test vehicle isn’t significantly more expensive than its Golf R rival which comes in at $70,990 MSRP.
That makes it a more affordable option when compared to premium rivals like the BMW M135 xDrive which starts at $83,600 MSRP and the Mercedes-AMG A35 which comes in at $89,700 MSRP.
The update sees engine outputs improve with it gaining 17kW and 20Nm of torque, resulting in a total of 245kW and 420Nm.
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Feature highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, electrically-adjustable and heated front seats (with expandable under-thigh support), rear privacy glass, quilted Nappa leather upholstery and 'S Sport' suspension with damper control which lowers the ride height lowered by 15mm.
The updated technology is well-rounded and now comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's also three-zone climate control, a 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, digital radio, four USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, built-in satellite navigation and a 15-speaker Sonos 3D sound system.
Still, despite its premium hot hatch status, this grade skips a few luxury touches. Ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats and a sunroof are all missing. The BMW M135 xDrive, notably, includes all of these as standard.
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Even the powered tailgate with kick-functionality is an optional extra here, adding $660 to the price. At this level that should be standard.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
8 / 10
The S3 Sportback may be a small car, but its S design features, like the stylised blackout grille, matrix LED headlights, and 19-inch alloys with red brake calipers, give it a distinctly athletic and fun-loving vibe. It’s compact, but definitely not diminutive and carries serious road presence. It’s hot hatch meets fun-size.
Inside, the S3 looks fabulous. Integrated ambient lighting, a sharp dashboard treatment and a driver-focused cockpit all lend it a premium feel.
The front seats look properly sporty with their integrated headrests, and the quilted Nappa leather upholstery feels great, especially with the eye-catching red contrast stitching.
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As for technology, it’s as high-end as you’d expect with a 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster taking centre stage.
The only drawback? No sunroof. Combined with the black headliner and compact cabin, it can feel a little gloomy at times. Still, it’s a cabin you’ll enjoy spending time in.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 7/10
7 / 10
Like most hatches, the front row enjoys the most space. While it’s cosy, it never feels cramped. The seats are firm yet comfortable, thanks to their adjustability and expandable under-thigh supports. Access is fairly easy with wide door apertures, though the low seating position might earn a few grunts, especially from taller folks.
Storage up front is well sorted, with a glove box, a small centre console, a dedicated phone cradle and a couple of cup and bottle holders. It’s about what you'd expect for a car this size, but it's enough to keep things tidy.
There are plenty of charging options, with two USB-C ports in each row and a wireless charging pad up front.
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The multimedia system is intuitive and easy to use. The touchscreen is responsive, and wireless Apple CarPlay connected without fuss and stayed connected all week. Wireless Android Auto is available, too.
Built-in sat nav is clear, and I love the way directions pull through to the digital instrument panel. The Sonos sound system? Pretty darn good. My son and I had more than one mini-concert on the school run.
As for the rear row, it definitely reminds you this is a small car. At 168cm, I found it on the cramped side of cosy and my husband just laughed when I asked him to try it! The wheel arch also cuts into the door aperture, making access a little awkward. Best to think of it as occasional adult seating. But given the size, that’s no surprise.
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Amenities in the back are decent with a couple of map pockets, cup and bottle holders, as well as a fold-down armrest, those USB ports and rear temperature control (but curiously, no fan control). The seats are comfortable enough, but space is limited. Realistically, it’s best suited for two passengers, not three.
Boot space is quite practical. The wide opening and manageable load lip height make it easy to slide items in and out. It offers 325L of space, less than its key rivals, but expands to 1145L with the rear seats folded flat. The handy 40/20/40 split also adds versatility. Under the boot floor, you’ll find a tyre repair kit.
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Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 9/10
9 / 10
The S3 Sportback wears the quattro badge proudly, meaning it’s all-wheel drive and it pairs a tweaked seven-speed automatic transmission with a 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine.
This update brings a bump in performance over the previous model, including the addition of a rear torque splitter. Power is now up to a gutsy 245kW and 420Nm of torque, launching the S3 from 0 - 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. That’s proper hot hatch territory.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 8/10
8 / 10
The S3 Sportback has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 7.9L/100km and a 55-litre fuel tank, giving it a theoretical driving range of up to 696km.
Its key rivals hover around similar numbers, so it's right on the mark for the segment. After a mix of long-distance drives and my usual urban errands, my real-world figure came in at 8.0L/100km - very close to the claim, which I’m pretty happy with.
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Driving – What's it like to drive? 8/10
8 / 10
The S3 Sportback sounds as mean as it looks, and it delivers on that promise with effortless grunt. Acceleration is immediate, with plenty of power on tap when you need it. It’s just fun all around.
The lowered sports suspension and wide tyres do bring some extra noise into the cabin, even at lower speeds. You might find yourself repeating things to rear passengers now and then, but it never feels overwhelming.
Steering and suspension are on the firmer side, so yes, you’ll feel the bumps but the payoff is sharp, responsive handling. Quick lane changes and winding coastal roads are where this car shines.
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Visibility is about what you’d expect from a low-slung hot hatch. The pillars don’t obstruct the view, but sitting beside a towering SUV at the lights can make you feel a bit... compact.
Cornering is a strong suit, thanks to the car’s wide stance and AWD system. It feels confidently planted in most conditions. That said, I noticed the occasional wobble through the rear frame on rough sections in heavy rain.
Its compact size makes parking a breeze, especially with the help of multiple sensors. The reversing camera is crisp, but at this price point, the lack of a 360-degree camera view feels like a missed opportunity.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 7/10
7 / 10
The S3 isn’t covered by its 2WD sibling's maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating but it is well-equipped with safety features all the same.
Safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, side exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, park assist, reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control with stop and go function.
It also has six airbags but misses out on a front centre airbag. None of the driver assist systems are intrusive to daily driving, which I always like.
The rear row has ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tether anchor points but only two child seats will fit.
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Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 9/10
9 / 10
Audi backs the S3 Sportback with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is on par with its European rivals. A five-year pre-paid servicing plan is available for $2890 which is cheaper than pay-as-you-go and reasonable for the class.
For those looking to go the extra mile, the 'Audi Advantage' package lets you extend the warranty and capped-price servicing by an additional two years, which represents solid value overall.
Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Verdict
The updated Audi S3 Sportback is a fun-sized dynamo with impressive outputs and athletic road manners. It’s missing a few premium features, but its compact size paired with a gutsy engine makes it a compelling option for drivers who don’t want to compromise on performance (just space).
Pricing Guides
Range and Specs
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TFSI Quattro | 2.0L, Premium Unleaded Petrol, 7 SPEED AUTO S-TRONIC | $75,400 |
| Quattro | 2.0L, 7 SPEED AUTO S-TRONIC | $78,800 |
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