2027 Audi A3 Gets a New Digital Cockpit and Says Goodbye to Buttons
Audi's smallest car is growing up. For 2027, the Audi A3 adopts the brand's "Digital Stage" cockpit philosophy, trading physical climate switches and steering-wheel buttons for a sweeping panoramic display and touch-based controls. Here's everything that changes inside the refreshed A3, S3 and RS 3 and what it means for buyers.
Key Takeaways
- New "Digital Stage" cockpit: an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.
- Buttons are gone: physical climate controls disappear and the steering wheel switches to touch surfaces (plus two scroll wheels).
- Smarter driver aids: automatic lane changes, braking at red lights, a 3D 360-degree camera and memory parking up to 50 metres.
- Powertrains carry over: A3 (201 hp), S3 (328 hp) and RS 3 (394 hp) are mechanically unchanged.
- On sale: Europe in mid-September; Canada in the first half of next year as 2027 models, with prices set to rise from today's $47,400–$81,700 range.
A Bigger Screen Strategy: The "Digital Stage" Comes to the A3
Two years after a substantial mid-cycle refresh, Audi is bringing its compact sedan in line with larger models such as the A5, A6 and Q6 e-tron. The headline change is a fully digital, driver-oriented interface that Audi calls the Digital Stage.
At its core sit two displays: an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster directly ahead of the driver and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen for infotainment, navigation and vehicle settings. The result is a cleaner, more modern dashboard that finally feels current next to rivals like the screen-led cabins of newer EVs from Volvo, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Redesigned Dashboard — and the End of Physical Climate Controls
The dashboard has been reworked around that screen layout. A wider decorative inlay now stretches in a continuous horizontal line from the instrument cluster all the way to the passenger door, giving the cabin a more upscale, architectural feel.
The trade-off? The physical climate control panel is gone. Temperature, fan speed and related functions now live within the touchscreen and touch interface. It's a divisive move — sleek to look at, but one that asks drivers to glance at a screen for tasks that a dial once handled by feel.
Four Material Choices and a Driver-Focused Console
Buyers can personalize the cabin with four material options:
- Carbon fibre
- Dinamica suede microfibre
- "Light crepe" textile fabric
- "Impressum black" textile fabric
The centre console is new, too. The phone tray is now angled toward the driver's seat and supports 25-watt wireless charging, a meaningful step up for anyone who relies on their device for navigation and music.
A Steering Wheel Without Buttons
The minimalist theme extends to the steering wheel. Audi replaces the traditional physical buttons with touch-based controls, keeping only two scroll wheels for core functions. The high-performance RS 3 retains dedicated drive-mode buttons, a nod to enthusiasts who want quick, tactile access while driving hard.
Smarter Driver Assistance Technology
Beyond the cabin redesign, the 2027 A3 expands its suite of driver aids. The upgrades focus on reducing fatigue on the highway and simplifying low-speed manoeuvres:
- Adaptive cruise assist plus can change highway lanes on its own once the turn signal is activated.
- Automatic braking at red lights is a new addition to the system.
- An advanced 360-degree camera renders a 3D image on the central display, with multiple selectable and adjustable views.
- Memory parking lets the A3 record and replay parking manoeuvres over distances of up to 50 metres.
These features push the A3 closer to the semi-autonomous convenience features once reserved for larger, pricier Audis — and reflect an industry-wide shift we've tracked across today's most advanced new vehicles.
Powertrains: Familiar Performance Under the Hood
Mechanically, the lineup is unchanged — and that's no bad thing. The one notable tweak is that the S3 gains its own distinct daytime running light signature.
| Model | Output | Positioning |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 | 201 hp | Everyday premium compact |
| Audi S3 | 328 hp | Sport sedan sweet spot |
| Audi RS 3 | 394 hp | Five-cylinder performance flagship |
Watch: The 2027 Audi A3 Revealed
See the refreshed cockpit and the design changes in action:
Should You Be Excited? Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- Modern, premium-feeling dual-screen cabin
- Genuinely useful driver-assistance upgrades
- Faster 25W wireless charging
- Proven, unchanged powertrains
✗ Cons
- Physical climate controls are gone
- Touch steering-wheel controls divide opinion
- Prices are expected to climb
- Canadian buyers must wait until next year
Availability and Pricing
The refreshed Audi A3 lineup goes on sale in Europe in mid-September. North American shoppers will have to be patient: the cars aren't expected to reach Canada until the first half of next year, badged as 2027 models. Current pricing spans $47,400 to $81,700, and an increase is all but inevitable with this round of upgrades.
The Bottom Line
The 2027 Audi A3 is a clear statement of where Audi is heading: screen-forward cabins, deeper assistance technology and a minimalist design language shared across the range. Whether ditching physical buttons is progress or a step too far will come down to personal taste — but there's no denying the A3 now feels far more in step with its bigger siblings and the broader luxury market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is new in the 2027 Audi A3 interior?
The 2027 Audi A3 adopts Audi's "Digital Stage" cockpit with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a redesigned dashboard with a wider decorative inlay, a driver-angled phone tray with 25W wireless charging and four new material options.
Did Audi remove the buttons in the 2027 A3?
Yes. The physical climate controls are gone and the steering wheel swaps its traditional buttons for touch-based controls, keeping only two scroll wheels. The RS 3 still retains dedicated drive-mode buttons.
What driver-assistance features does the 2027 Audi A3 add?
It adds adaptive cruise assist plus with automatic highway lane changes, automatic braking at red lights, a 3D 360-degree camera with selectable views, and memory parking for manoeuvres up to 50 metres.
How much power do the 2027 A3, S3 and RS 3 make?
The A3 produces 201 hp, the S3 makes 328 hp and the RS 3 delivers 394 hp. All three powertrains carry over unchanged for 2027.
When does the 2027 Audi A3 go on sale?
The refreshed lineup launches in Europe in mid-September and is expected to arrive in Canada in the first half of next year as 2027 models.
How much will the 2027 Audi A3 cost?
Current prices range from $47,400 to $81,700. Audi has confirmed that pricing will increase with the 2027 update, though exact figures are not yet final.
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