Audi’s revamped A3 hatchback remains Category A-friendly, but is now powered by a smooth-running four-cylinder engine
Singapore – The facelifted Audi A3 remains a gem in an increasingly tough automotive landscape. The year was 2021, when the fourth generation C-Segment hatchback was unveiled alongside its sedan counterpart. I immediately took a liking to the A3. It was strikingly pretty, but without going over the top. Its 1.5 litre engine, paired with a 48V MHEV system was punchy, which made it such a satisfying drive. In-fact, I came quite close to buying the Sedan, until I looked in my wallet. However, the A3 had one achilles heel, and interestingly its weakness was not even the fault of Audi.
The then-new Audi A3 was introduced just as COE prices began to spike. Then a Category B car, the A3 became difficult to justify, since this premium segment has always been price sensitive. Due to the COE spike, its cousin from Wolfsburg, the (bread and butter) Volkswagen Golf fared no better.
Previously, Audi’s response to game the COE system came in the form of the A3 with a 1.0 litre engine. In a different life, I took the 1.0 hatch from Hat Yai in Thailand, back to Singapore during one of Audi’s Fuel Efficiency Challenges, where I drove the Cat A Sedan and already found it surprisingly fuel-sippy.
A few exterior tweaks keeps things looking fresh
The Audi A3’s new look includes a revised front, with the new four-ringed Audi emblem, perched on the upper sill of the hexagonal grille. The headlamps have been given a tweak, and so have the intakes below them. Speaking of lights, you do get some degree of customisation, as there are now four daytime running light signatures for you to choose from.
At the rear, the tail lights have been slightly redesigned, while the bumper has been given an extensive sprucing up.
Visually, I like that the rest of the A3 Sportback remains the same. This includes the “banged-out” fenders, and that quarter window which is part of the Audi design identity.
Perhaps it is just me, but visually the Sedan and Sportback both vibe differently. While the Sedan feels a little more work clothes and tie, the Sportback on the other hand comes across as more playful.
Arguably the best interior in its class?
Well, that is at least according to your’s truly. Not much has changed since the A3 Sportback was launched. There are no pretentious materials here. Material quality is by far the best among the compact hatches of the big German 3, and you get a sense that things here are made to last for quite a while.
For the driver, the air-conditioning vents may seem strange being placed higher than most cars, but they actually work their magic, keeping your head and upper torso cool.
The infotainment remains pretty much unchanged. The interface is simple, therefore you are looking at a very low learning curve. Most functions are generally easy to find, and I like that there is a menu bar at the side of the screen for quicker access, and the system is not laggy at all. In a time where carmakers are reducing buttons, I am glad that the A3 still has a row of them, for easier access to some of the car’s more often-used features. One notable change to the cockpit is the drive selector, which is taken right out of the Audi e-tron GT.
The Audi hatchback does not differ in passenger space from its sedan sibling. It seats four in decent comfort, with sufficient legroom for adult passengers at the rear. Its 380 litre boot size is not only identical to its Volkswagen Golf sibling, but is also the same as the BMW 116.
Smooth delivery is what I need
Under the hood, the 1.0 litre 3-cylinder engine has been replaced with what is essentially the same engine that the A3 was launched with, albeit with lesser power and torque. Instead of the more willing 150hp and 250Nm it originally produced, over here the four-cylinder makes 116hp and 220Nm. The engine is paired with a 48-volt Mild Hybrid system, which provides for significant fuel savings and also provides a small boost. Its 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox puts drive to the front wheels, with largely seamless transitions.
I like that Audi had given us the detuned 1.5 litre four-cylinder for the facelifted Category A car, instead of sticking with the 1.0 litre three-cylinder. This is because delivery is significantly smoother, and the engine also has mode “depth”. Performance has also improved by a smidge, with the hatchback now timed at 9.9 seconds, versus the 10.6 seconds it took the 1.0 to reach 100km/h.
Aside from having the ability to glide over considerable distances with the engine off, the “new” engine also features cylinder deactivation, where it stops firing two of its four cylinders on lighter loads. All of this gives this compact Audi an official combined efficiency of 16.1km/l. On my side, I did 19.6km/l, which is actually very impressive.
Within the cabin, the A3 Sportback’s insulation does pretty good work of separating itself from its VW hatchback relative. You actually feel a little more padded away from what is going on outside. Overall, the A3 soaks up the bumps from our patchwork roads in its stride. The torsion rear-end does however skip a little bit over bumpier corners, though there is little drama to worry about.
If you’d ask me, of-course I would have still preferred the multilink rear from the 150hp car. But that said, I can tell you safely that the average driver would not notice the difference.
Still good, yeah?
Yes it is. The Audi A3 Sportback may not give you the handling of BMW’s 116. But the A3 does things differently. It feels more refined to drive over all. And let’s not forget that efficient four-cylinder MHEV powertrain.
Text & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Brilliant drive | I still like more performance |
| Quality interior | Rear suspension does take away some of that refinement |
| Excellent fuel-saving tech |
2025 Audi A3 Sportback Mild Hybrid 1.5 TFSI S tronic
| Drivetrain | Petrol-electric mild hybrid |
| Layout | 1,498cc, inline 4 |
| Power / torque | 114hp / 220Nm |
| Transmission | 7-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Efficiency | 16.1km/l |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 Litres |
| 0-100km/h | 9.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 205km/h |
| VES Band | B |
| Dealer | Audi Singapore |
| Price | S$246,999 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | The new Audi A3 drives brilliantly, while MHEV tech keeps fuel costs low. A great first impression for new customers to the brand. |
