Audi A3 Receives a Big Mid-Life Upgrade
The Audi A3 has received a mid-life refresh bringing some significant changes to the interior, with the dashboard receiving the largest update with an all-new curved, panoramic dashboard display.
Called the Audi Virtual Cockpit, all A3 models receive the new curved display, adding a more fluid and cohesive design to the dashboard vs the outgoing model. The screen is formed seamlessly in two parts with a 11.9 inch drivers display and a 12.8 inch MMI central display.
The centre console also been redesigned with a wireless mobile phone tray capable of charging at 25-watt and gets some ambient lighting to illuminate the otherwise dark cubby, as does the new door card design.
The steering wheel - now available in three designs - features a physical scroll wheel integrated into the multifunction buttons.
Technology
The new A3 comes with upgraded tech that’s available as an option on most trims and standard on the S3 Vorsprung & RS3 Carbon Vorsprung):
Adaptive cruise assist plus is adds hands free highway driving, including automated lane changing.
A suite of all-new cameras provides 360-degree image and birds-eye view for easy parking
Park assist plus and pro utilise the cameras for self-parking technology.
Pro adds a remote function for parking allowing the driver to be outside the car whilst it parks, perfect for those tights spaces. There’s also a memory feature for regular tight spots.
The Audi connect app allows customers to check the vehicle’s parked location, plus the vehicle’s status such as checking the lights, and any open doors or windows.
The app also allows remote control of the auxiliary heating as well as remote locking and unlocking of the vehicle.
Powertrains
Customers can choose from petrol and diesel engines from 116 PS to 150 PS a plug-in hybrid with 204 PS.
With the plug-in hybrid, there’s up to 88 miles of combined WLTP range, and the battery can be fully recharged in around 30 minutes at a DC rapid charger.
The towing capacity of the A3 plug-in hybrid models has increased by 300 kg to 1,700kg.
The S3 is features a 2.0 litre 333 PS turbocharged engine, while the Audi RS 3 gets the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder engine producing 400 PS.
Trims and Prices
The updated A3 models are available from the end of September 2026 with prices starting from £28,650 for the A3 Sportback, while the A3 Sportback plug-in-hybrid starts at £39,980, just under the Expensive Car Supplement threshold.
The Audi S3 is priced from £49,960 whilst the RS 3 starts at £63,655.
The A3 / S3 / RS 3 trims are:
A3
Technik
Sport
S line
Black Edition
S3
Black Edition
Vorsprung
RS 3
Carbon Black
Carbon Vorsprung
Opinion
The dashboard really does add a touch of modernism to the Audi, where it previously felt a little dated at its original launch. There wasn’t anything wrong with the design before, but it didn’t move the game on. This update moves the game on and brings the A3 bang up to date providing a more premium feel in a tightly contested market. It is welcome update.
However, there is still no A3 (or equivalent) EV version, and this is where the competition is introducing some very compelling cars, such as the excellent Kia EV4.
It’s an opportunity that’s wide open for Audi to establish itself as the premium market leader, yet that spot is left curiously vacant.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb