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2018 Audi S3 Trims Comparison

2018 S3 trim level differences

The 2018 Audi S3 is offered in two trim levels: Premium Plus and Prestige. They are pretty similarly equipped, but the Prestige offers more standard technology features. All S3s have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. That power is put to the ground through a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

Standard features for the Premium Plus include 18-inch wheels, summer performance tires, keyless ignition and entry, front and rear parking sensors, selectable driving settings (known as Audi Drive Select), LED headlights, automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power front sport seats, driver-seat memory settings, leather upholstery and 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks.

For the Premium Plus, you also get a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Audi's MMI electronics interface (with a console-mounted controller and a power-retractable display), Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a USB port, and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio.

Optional for this trim is the Technology package, which includes an expanded digital instrument cluster (Virtual Cockpit), an upgraded MMI system (with an improved display and a touch-sensitive controller), Audi Connect online services (with 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi), native voice controls, a navigation system and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The Prestige adds the contents of the Technology package as standard plus heated and power-folding exterior mirrors (with driver-side auto-dimming), LED interior lighting, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and intervention, and two additional USB ports for the rear seating area.

Optional on both the Premium Plus and Prestige are a Black Optic Dynamic package (19-inch wheels with special exterior trim), an S Sport package (red brake calipers with adaptive suspension dampers) and an S Sport Seat package (manually adjustable front sport seats with premium leather upholstery). Stand-alone options include rear-seat side airbags and 18-inch wheels with all-season tires.

Which 2018 S3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

There's not much of a difference between the S3's two available trim levels. You could go with the Premium Plus trim level, but if you want the Technology package to get the useful Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster and premium audio system, you might as well just step up to the Prestige in our opinion. You get Technology package as standard as well as a few things you can't get on the Premium Plus, such as adaptive cruise control and a HomeLink garage door opener. Either way, get the S Sport package for its adaptive suspension dampers, which expand the S3's comfort and performance handling capabilities.

Compare 2018 S3 trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Des Moines, IA
Vehicle
S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro
S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Summer of Audi
S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Summer of Audi
S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro
Vehicle
2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro for sale
2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Summer of Audi
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Summer of Audi for sale
2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Summer of Audi
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Summer of Audi for sale
2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
optional
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Parking assistance
standard
standard
standard
standard
Upholstery
leather
leather
leather
leather
Heated seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
standard
standard
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Country of final assembly
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Drivetrain
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
Engine power
292 hp @ 5,400 rpm
292 hp @ 5,400 rpm
292 hp @ 5,400 rpm
292 hp @ 5,400 rpm
Engine torque
280 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm
280 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm
280 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm
280 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
7-speed automated manual
7-speed automated manual
7-speed automated manual
7-speed automated manual
Tire size
225/40R18
225/40R18
225/40R18
225/40R18
Wheel size
18 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.5-in
Wheel type
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
22 / 28 / 25 MPG
22 / 28 / 25 MPG
22 / 28 / 25 MPG
22 / 28 / 25 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
14.5 gal.
14.5 gal.
14.5 gal.
14.5 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
319 / 406 miles
319 / 406 miles
319 / 406 miles
319 / 406 miles
Fuel Type
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
36.1 ft.
36.1 ft.
36.1 ft.
36.1 ft.
Curb weight
3,461 lb.
3,461 lb.
3,461 lb.
3,461 lb.
Ground Clearance
Overall Width with Mirrors
77.2 in.
77.2 in.
77.2 in.
77.2 in.
Overall Width without Mirrors
Height
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
Length
175.8 in.
175.8 in.
175.8 in.
175.8 in.
Wheelbase
103.6 in.
103.6 in.
103.6 in.
103.6 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
10.0 cu. ft.
10.0 cu. ft.
10.0 cu. ft.
10.0 cu. ft.
Cargo Space, Rear Seat Down or Removed
Front Head Room
36.5 in.
36.5 in.
36.5 in.
36.5 in.
Front Leg Room
41.2 in.
41.2 in.
41.2 in.
41.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
Rear Head Room
36.1 in.
36.1 in.
36.1 in.
36.1 in.
Rear Leg Room
35.1 in.
35.1 in.
35.1 in.
35.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
53.0 in.
53.0 in.
53.0 in.
53.0 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
Not Available
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Average Cost Per Mile
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Depreciation
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Financing
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Taxes & Fees
Not Available
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Fuel
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Insurance
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Maintenance
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Repairs
Not Available
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Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching, leather
Magma Red w/Anthracite Stitching, leather
Rotor Gray w/Anthracite Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching, leather
Magma Red w/Anthracite Stitching, leather
Rotor Gray w/Anthracite Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching, leather
Magma Red w/Anthracite Stitching, leather
Rotor Gray w/Anthracite Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching, leather
Magma Red w/Anthracite Stitching, leather
Rotor Gray w/Anthracite Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Black w/Rock Gray Stitching Fine Nappa, premium leather
Exterior
Vegas Yellow
Navarra Blue Metallic
Ara Blue Crystal Effect
Florett Silver Metallic
Brilliant Black
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Glacier White Metallic
Nano Gray Metallic
Mythos Black Metallic
Tango Red Metallic
Vegas Yellow
Navarra Blue Metallic
Ara Blue Crystal Effect
Florett Silver Metallic
Brilliant Black
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Glacier White Metallic
Nano Gray Metallic
Mythos Black Metallic
Tango Red Metallic
Vegas Yellow
Navarra Blue Metallic
Ara Blue Crystal Effect
Florett Silver Metallic
Brilliant Black
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Glacier White Metallic
Nano Gray Metallic
Mythos Black Metallic
Tango Red Metallic
Vegas Yellow
Navarra Blue Metallic
Ara Blue Crystal Effect
Florett Silver Metallic
Brilliant Black
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Glacier White Metallic
Nano Gray Metallic
Mythos Black Metallic
Tango Red Metallic