What a great model year for the Audi S3. For 2025, the S-badged model arrives with performance updates and improved driving dynamics which make it more fun than ever to drive. Like the A3, it also receives style and cabin updates for the new model year while also adding some extra goodies you'll only find on the S3. I once leased an Audi A3, and loved every second of it. Having said that, today, I'd be signing on the dotted line for the S-badging.
Exterior
This model's Glacier White metallic is a premium hue, and I have to say it looks great set against its Black Optic package.
It nets 19-inch multi-spoke-S design wheels with a bi-color finish and they're wrapped around summer tires. It also adds anthracite Audi rings, black exterior trim and dark chrome exhaust tips. Sporty red brake calipers are thanks to an S Sport package.
New exterior features include a new frameless Singleframe grille that's wider and flatter, along with new front and rear LED lighting designs and Audi's new laser etched B-pillar badging strategy.
The S3 Prestige gets two new notable lighting features over its A3 sibling. One is Audi's matrix design LED headlights. The other, cool, customizable headlight and tailight animations, which is a first for S3 models.
In back, you'll spot the RS's design influence on a new rear bumper. It features a glossy black apron above the diffuser, divided into two parts and combines with vertical side reflectors and rounded out by four tailpipes.
Performance
For 2025, the S3's 2.0-liter inline four gets a bump of 22 ponies to 328-horses. Another update is faster shifting, thanks to the 7-speed S tronic's sportier tuning. Power feels great, and far surpasses the A3's 201-horsepower. The S3 will hit 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, the A3 in 6.5 seconds. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard. The powertrain delivers a respectable 295 pound-feet of torque. You get larger front and rear brakes than on the A3 Quattro.
Interior
The S3's luxurious and sporty interior gets my thumbs up. Black Fine Nappa leather sport S-badged seats feature integrated headrests and side bolstering. While on the smaller side, as you'd expect in a sedan this size, they are supportive and comfortable. They're also heated.
Ultra suede, sport pedals, quality switchgear and carbon atlas inlays add polish and appeal. It's hands-on-detection leather-trimmed steering wheel is new for 2025.
Technology includes Audi's outstanding 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus driver display and a 12.3-inch multimedia display with traffic sign recognition. As with the A3, Audi's navigation plus is one of my favorite mapping systems out there.
The system is responsive, includes Alexa, and it's easy to use. I especially like the weather graphics. S3's also get access to Audi's app store this year.
A minimalist glossy black console is home to a shift-by-wire gear shifter and a unique circular slider volume control with a touch sensor. Beneath it you'll find two cupholders and an electric parking brake. The center console bin is on the short side.
Interior lighting gets an upgrade - not just with new standard lighting features but an optional LED interior lighting PRO package. Think sophisticated cabin light show. Other upgrades include an incredible SONOS 3D Premium sound system.
You lose some headroom in the split-folding rear seat, and there's a little more plastic than I'd like to see for a luxury vehicle at this price point. Passengers get A/C vents and 2 USB-C ports.
Standard features include: three zone climate, wireless charging pad and a sunroof.
Ride and Drive
The updated S3 is a highly entertaining luxury compact sedan to drive. Excellent Audi engineering gets even better for 2025, thanks to chassis updates and a standard rear torque splitter, the same type you find on the Nürburgring lap-record holding, ultra-high performance RS 3. It improves driving dynamics, traction and dynamic stability, and also results in a better steering response and overall performance feel. Optional S Sport Suspension adds another exciting element.
A new "Dynamic plus" mode is also in the house - so you can dial in to the S3’s chassis upgrades. It gives you access to parameters for the torque splitter, electronic stability control (ESC), max engine torque and idle speed, as well as engaging a hard rev limiter.
The only criticism I have with the ride is that there's a bit more road noise than I'd like.
Safety
The S3's standard features include Audi Pre Sense Basic and Front, Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Audi Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Exit Warning and Lane Departure Warning. As equipped this model adds Adaptive Cruise Assist with lane guidance and a Head Up Display.
What You'll Pay
This S3 is equipped with a bunch of options. They include a Prestige package ($6,200), Black Optic Package ($1,650), S Sport Package ($1,100), Fine Nappa Leather Seats ($1,000), and the Black Roof ($300).
It's perfectly outfitted in my opinion, and I couldn't do without a single one of them. They bring the price tag to roughly $60K.
Verdict
Audi does a fantastic job updating the S3 with performance updates and enhanced driving dynamics. There's no doubt you'll have a lot of fun behind the wheel (I know I did!).
If I have one non-vehicle complaint to share, it's this. Audi's website. I've had trouble building Audi models using the website on more than one occasion.
2025 Audi S3 Prestige
- What I Liked Most: Driving dynamics, performance. Fantastic cabin.
- What I would change: A little less plastic in second row.
- MSRP: Base: $48,700. As equipped: $60,840.
- Official Color: Glacier White metallic. ($595)
- Fuel Economy: 21 city, 31 highway, 26 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,307 miles.
- Curb Weight: 3,549 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Run Flat Summer Tires, and tire mobility kit
- Length-Width-Height: 177.4" long/78.1" wide/ 55.7" high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gallons with the fuel tank on the passenger side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 Audi S3 in in a few words: Impressive performance and handling packed into a compact luxury sedan!
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty; 12-year Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation, and 4-year Roadside Assistance provided by a third-party supplier.
- Final Assembly Location: Ingolstadt, Germany.
- Manufacturer's website: Audi
