2025 Audi S3 Sportback TFSI

Audi updates its S3 for another round. Does it still deliver the blend of sport and luxury we’ve come to expect of the badge?  

Let’s be honest, Auckland traffic is hardly the proving ground for a hot hatch. But that’s exactly where my week with the 2025 Audi S3 began. Predictably, it was smooth, composed, and… well, a bit uneventful. In the gridlocked sprawl of everyday commuting, the S3 felt more like a quietly competent A3 than a fire-breathing member of Audi’s S division. Comfortable? Absolutely. Fuss-free? Completely. Exciting? Not so much.

But then the traffic cleared. The roads opened up. And the drizzle started falling. That’s when the S3 quietly flexed its muscles… and, well, earned my respect. 

Corner king

The moment I hit Auckland’s twistier outskirts, the car transformed. It was grip city. Even in damp conditions, the S3 felt absolutely planted through tight 35 and 45km/h bends. I threw everything I had at it; late turn-ins, mid-corner throttle, quick transitions — and it just held on, clawing its way through corners like it was riding on rails. Understeer? Non-existent. The quattro all-wheel drive system remains Audi’s secret sauce and, in this iteration, it feels even more sure-footed and balanced than ever. Confidence-inspiring doesn’t even cover it. It’s not just fast, it’s usable fast. Accessible fast. And that’s something not all hot hatches can claim.

Credit here goes in part to two standout features now standard on the facelifted S3: progressive steering and the S sport suspension with damper control. The former makes the steering feel fluid and precise at speed, yet relaxed around town. The latter transforms the ride depending on the mode, giving the S3 a genuine dual character.

Power meets polish

Under the bonnet, the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder returns, pumping out 245kW and 420Nm. A decent bump up from its predecessor. That’s good for a claimed 0–100km/h time of 4.7 seconds, which still puts the S3 in serious territory. It’s quick off the line and doesn’t let up until well into licence-losing speeds. Braking is equally sharp. Strong, progressive, and drama-free, even under heavy load.

But if there’s one thing I found myself wishing for more of, it’s sound. The S3’s exhaust note feels noticeably dialled back compared with previous generations. There’s a hint of sporty pop, but not quite the personality you’d expect from an S-badged Audi. Maybe that’s the RS 3’s job now. But if I’m spending over $100k, I want to feel and hear every cent of it.

That’s not to say the car isn’t fun because it is. It’s just not theatrical. It’s sharp and fast, but in a very German, very tidy way. Think more scalpel, less flamethrower.

Daily driver duties

For all its backroad talent, the S3 also proved itself a genuinely liveable daily driver. Boot space was adequate for errands and the random odd gear, and my 193cm brother had no complaints riding shotgun, which is saying something. The ride in Dynamic mode did feel a little harsh on Auckland’s pothole-prone roads, but dial it back to Comfort, and it became a smooth cruiser. It’s refined, easy-going, even after long motorway stints.

I spent most of my time in Individual mode, fine-tuning it to suit my needs — softening the dampers while keeping throttle response and steering sharp. That ability to customise is what gives Audis that extra touch. One car, multiple personalities.

Fuel economy? Honestly, I was too busy enjoying the drive to notice, but you can expect to see high sevens hit the dash on the litreage per 100kms.

The inside story

Audi interiors have long been a benchmark, and the S3 doesn’t disappoint. For me, it starts with the steering wheel; still the best in the business. It’s elegant, sporty, and comfortable, which matters when it’s the one thing you’re always in contact with. Every time I slid into the driver’s seat, it felt like home.

The seats themselves deserve praise too. I appreciated the adjustability, especially the extendable lower cushion, which makes a massive difference for shorter drivers like me. The cabin as a whole oozes quality with clean lines, solid materials and just enough flair to remind you this isn’t your average A3.

The updated infotainment system continues Audi’s tradition of intuitive tech. It’s classic Volkswagen Group: logical, familiar, and seamless. I’ve lived with Audi systems for years, and not much has changed which is a good thing. Apple CarPlay fills the entire screen (unlike my current Hyundai Santa Fe), and haptic touch adds a bit of premium flair, even if some might prefer to disable it.

Bonus points for the customisable ambient lighting; it’s a small detail but it adds personality. The only real interior miss? The plastic-feeling buttons on the lower centre console that control climate and drive modes. They felt a little cheap, like an afterthought on an otherwise premium layout.

Tech that doesn’t fight you

Here’s a surprise: I didn’t hate the lane assist. Normally, it’s the first thing I switch off in any new car. But in the S3, it was gentle and unobtrusive, more co-driver than overzealous chaperone. That speaks to Audi’s attention to detail in calibrating its adaptive features. It helps but it doesn’t interfere. The virtual cockpit remains a highlight, and while you can configure it in multiple layouts, I found myself gravitating back to the classic tachometer and speedo set-up. Sometimes, simplicity wins.

Looks that don’t shout

Let’s talk about the elephant in the driveway: the S3’s appearance. Put bluntly, it doesn’t look special enough. The face-lifted styling changes are subtle to a fault. The removal of the front S badge dulls its identity and with the Black Optics package cloaking the rear badge, the car borders on anonymous. That might appeal to stealth enthusiasts, but as someone who likes a bit of visual theatre, it left me wanting more.

It’s not that it looks bad; the lines are clean, the stance is tidy and it still has that Audi class, but it doesn’t stir much emotion when you walk up to it. It’s only once you open it up through a winding stretch of tarmac that it reminds you what it’s truly capable of.

Verdict: a grown-up hot hatch

The 2025 Audi S3 is not a car that shouts. It doesn’t beg for attention at the lights or bombard you with noise and fury. But it is a car that delivers. It grips. It goes. It communicates. It’s poised and planted, fast and refined, and totally useable as a daily.

Would I buy one? If I were after a subtle sleeper with real capability and premium polish, absolutely. But as a self-confessed hothead with a soft spot for drama and character, I’d still save a bit more and opt for the RS 3. You just can’t beat that five-cylinder fury.

Still, for the driver who wants the best of both worlds (weekday civility and weekend fun) the S3 might just be the ultimate compromise. Or, if you’re less emotional about your cars and more into intelligent engineering, it might just be the perfect fit.  

Audi S3 Sportback TFSI
$103,990  /  8.6L/100km  /  197g/km
0-100 km/h 4.7s
Engine  1984cc / IL4 / T / DI
Max power  245kW@5600-6500rpm
Max torque  420Nm@2100-5500rpm
Drivetrain  7-speed twin-clutch / on demand AWD
Front suspension  Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension  Multilink / swaybar
Turning circle  11.1m (2.2 turns)
Front brakes  Ventilated discs
Rear brakes  Ventilated discs
Stability systems  ABS, ESP, TV
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  235/35R19  
Wheelbase  2635mm
L/W/H  4352 / 1816 / 1441mm
Track f-1554mm  r-1525mm
Fuel capacity  55L
Luggage capacity  325-1145L
Tow rating  Not rated to tow
Service intervals  12 months / 15,000km
Scheduled servicing  3yrs / 100,000km
Warranty  5yrs / 150,000 km
ANCAP rating  Not yet rated
Weight (claimed)  1535kg