2017 Audi S3 Review

With a broad swath of power, the 2017 Audi S3's turbocharged engine provides smooth and quick acceleration. There's an unmistakable increase in potency between the S3 and its less powerful A3 sibling, though the S3 falls short of Audi's racy RS models. Its thrust comes on with little delay if you dip deep into the throttle at low revs, and the engine remains bright and alert even when off-boost. The dual-clutch automatic has good manners and clicks off quick, smooth shifts. It does, however, shift at redline automatically, even in manual mode.

Enthusiasts will find the S3's steering quick and precise, if a bit shy on feel, while casual drivers will simply appreciate its responsiveness. Yet this is not a nervous or fidgety car. Its freeway composure is rock-steady, and its civility at speed means you'll find yourself traveling faster than you thought. The optional adaptive suspension's ability to switch among Comfort, Auto and Dynamic modes is a useful trick, although the handling of all S3s is suitably nimble. Be aware, however, that the S3's ride is firm even in Comfort mode, and the optional 19-inch wheels only exacerbate the issue. We encourage prospective buyers to drive S3s equipped with both wheel sizes to determine if the trade-off in comfort is worthwhile.

Despite being an entry-level luxury sedan, the 2017 Audi S3 shares the attractive, refined cabin design aesthetic of its more expensive stablemates. It shows restraint rather than flash, boasting high-quality materials, slick buttons and switches, and clever details such as the elegantly simple air vents. The S3's cabin is an eminently comfortable and stylish place.

The S3's front seats strike an excellent balance between support and comfort, serving well on long trips as well as spirited drives. Keep in mind, though, that this is a compact sedan. As such, the S3's front seat occupants enjoy plenty of space, but full-grown adults have limited rear legroom. Rear headroom is snug, though better than in the CLA45 AMG. The S3's 10-cubic-foot trunk suits daily driving just fine but will put the pinch on bulky items. On the plus side, its rear seatbacks fold down in a 60/40 split to enhance versatility.

The optional navigation system comes with a larger central display screen and a revised, touch-sensitive control knob. The touchpad allows you to enter commands by simply scribbling them with your finger, and though it sounds odd, it works surprisingly well in practice. This system also includes Audi's Virtual Cockpit, an expanded, configurable instrument cluster that can display map data with brilliant clarity. Some of the other controls are less intuitive, especially if you're used to a car with traditional dash-mounted buttons. Fortunately, the addition of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for 2017 makes smartphone integration that much easier.