- The refreshed subcompact luxury sedan gets an interior update similar to the Q3 SUV.
- Expect the 201-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder to carry over.
- U.S. specs will be announced later in the year.
More screens, more tech, more advanced driver-assist features, new lights. The hallmarks of the mid-cycle refresh come to the 2027 Audi A3 subcompact sedan, Audi disclosed from Germany on Tuesday.
The incremental updates streamline the cockpit compared to the 2026 A3 and reflect some of the updates made to the redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 small SUV.
A curved panoramic display encompasses the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen under one pane of glass. Climate controls migrate into the touchscreen, for better or worse, but it unclutters the dash for a clean horizontal surface stretching from door to door. The center console features a wireless device charger positioned toward the driver, instead of the crammed placement in the outgoing model. The wireless charger is upgraded to 25-watt capability.
Steering wheel controls also get a makeover, away from sliders into a simpler scroll wheel that promises to be more functional.
Tech enhancements include more sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The advanced adaptive cruise control option, dubbed Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus, works at speeds up to 130 mph. If only we had an autobahn. The semi-autonomous hands-free system enables automatic lane changes as long as your hand touches the indicator, and it will automatically brake to a near stop, then restart when the light turns green without driver interaction.
Audi says the updated system uses swarm data, gathering intel not just from onboard cameras, radar, and sensors, but also from cloud data to better operate under inclement conditions or when road markings are unclear. It promises more comfort using the system off highways in urban or rural areas. The swarm is included in the price, for the first three years. Then Audi says customers can “extend the term for a fee.”
Advanced parking helpers get updated, although it seems like overkill for Audi’s smallest vehicle. Four surround-view cameras give drivers eyes where they aren’t with 3D and bird’s-eye views of the subcompact sedan. Park Assist Plus enables self-parking via the touchscreen, and Park Assist Pro enables remote self-parking by using the Audi app. A Trained Parking feature allows operators to save up to five parking spots for automatic parking. Let’s say an inexperienced driver is using the A3 to pull into a tight spot at home or work, the system can be programmed to automatically park the car there without driver intervention.
There’s more, but Audi will not disclose U.S. specs or features until later this year when it goes on sale here. An Audi spokesperson for North America confirmed the 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine will carry over with a 7-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
