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Audi A3 updated with new £28k entry-level variant, plus upgraded interior
A new infotainment system and cheaper kit are among the updates to the Audi A3
The Audi A3 has long been a staple in the family car segment, offering a premium alternative to its more value-focused rivals – and some updates will aim to make it even more desirable, including a brand new entry-level trim option.
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Indeed, the A3 is now available in the new Technik specification, which sits below Sport, S line and Black Edition trim in the A3’s trim line-up. As such, it reduces the starting price to £28,650 – £1650 less than the next step up, Sport trim. It also further widens the gap between the A3 and the cheapest versions of the rival BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class, and undercuts the Volkswagen Golf by a small margin.
As with all A3 models, the new trim comes with a refreshed interior, featuring a large curved display spanning the width of the dashboard. It comprises an 11.9in digital driver’s display and 12.8in infotainment touchscreen (up from 10.1in on previous models).
Eleanor Cooper
Updated: 23 June 2026
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Meanwhile, the sporty S3 and RS3 variants of the A3 get some new safety tech, including adaptive cruise assist plus, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane assist, meaning your vehicle can change lanes by itself when you use the indicator. It can also make the car come to a complete stop at red lights.
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Those models also receive a new 360-degree parking camera, parking assist systems which allow the car to pull in and out of spaces itself (even when you’re not in the car) and a reversing assist system.
Also new are functions in the Audi app which allow you to see the status of your car once it's parked – specifically, if you’ve left a window or door open, or not activated the parking brake.
The updated Audi A3 will arrive in showrooms in September. Prices for the Sportback variant start at £28,650, while plug-in hybrid variants start at £39,980.
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