2023 Audi S3 Review

Name: 2023 Audi S3 Review
Brand: Audi

Price Range: $40,995 - $42,590

+45

The 2023 Audi S3 is one of the smallest sedans you can buy, yet it doesn't feel like Audi gave it any less care than its other models. It's stylish, comfortable and well appointed, as expected. It's also a lot of fun to drive thanks to a strong yet fuel-efficient engine and a sporty suspension that won't punish you day to day. It offers less cargo and rear passenger space than rivals, but those are really our biggest complaints.

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2023 Audi S3 Review

by Mark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

rating written Reese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Inspiring performance with strong acceleration and sharp handling
High levels of comfort
Small size makes it easy to park and maneuver

Cons

Small trunk capacity
Some functions require digging through on-screen menus

What's new

Adaptive cruise control is now an option for the base Premium trim
Convenience package now includes a wireless charging pad
Part of the third A3 generation introduced for 2022

Overview

The 2023 Audi S3 occupies the middle ground between the supporting A3 and high-performance RS 3. Unlike some middle children, however, the S3 isn't easily ignored. For us, it hits the optimal balance of performance, comfort and price. It's noticeably more entertaining than the A3 while delivering similar thrills as the RS 3 on public roads. The RS 3 (reviewed separately) is a better track-day weapon for enthusiasts who truly need one.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi S3 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$175/mo

$156/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Overall, the S3 delivers plenty of performance and technology for an entry-level luxury sedan, but it's not the only game in town. The similarly priced BMW 2 Series gains a performance advantage, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA trends more toward luxury than sport. There's also the larger Genesis G70 that represents a bargain in the class. The 2023 Audi S3 has plenty of its own advantages and we cover all of it below in our Expert Rating. We think you'll agree that the S3 strikes an optimal blend.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the S3 drive? The S3 feels light and nimble on the road, aided further by responsive steering and a sport-tuned suspension. It's quick too. Our test S3 raced from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 4.6 seconds, and there's power all over the rev range, making the S3 feel quick both on city streets and winding back roads. When you're not revving it out, the S3 settles down into an easygoing demeanor, and its responsive transmission shifts quickly.

Standard all-wheel drive makes sure that power always reaches the pavement, and the powerful brakes inspire confidence. During our panic-braking tests at Edmunds' test facility, the S3 stopped from 60 mph in a commendable 107 feet and showed excellent stability with every stop. As a bonus, the S3's small size and light steering make it a cinch to park too.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the S3? The S3 comes standard with sportier, more supportive and somewhat more comfortable seats than the standard A3. They're well padded and offer lots of adjustment, and they do a great job of keeping you in place in faster curves without feeling confining. With the available sport suspension with adjustable dampers, the ride is actually better than the standard A3's too.

The standard three-zone climate control system is excellent, working quickly and evenly to cool the car down. The heated seats work well in cooler weather. The climate control buttons are all on a row on the dash, making them easy to operate without taking your eyes off the road. We also appreciate Audi's use of real buttons.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The S3 is a fairly small car even as far as compacts go. Still, there's more space than there would appear. Even taller passengers should have no issue finding space up front. The seats offer a lot of adjustment, so it doesn't take too long to get a good driving position dialed in. Rear passengers will be a little more snug, though there's still room for adults to be comfortable over shorter trips. The S3's small width and short doors make it relatively easy to get in and out.

The S3's new interior feels open, with the available buttons and stalks easy to see and reach. As with some rivals, Audi has reduced the number of buttons and moved some controls to the touchscreen. The menu system works well, but some settings are buried deeper than we'd like.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The S3 features the latest in-car tech from Audi, much of which we've seen on other redesigned models. The navigation system works well, with a clear map that can be displayed in the instrument cluster. It makes turn-by-turn directions a cinch. The available head-up display helps too, projecting navigation info onto the windshield. We were particularly impressed by the S3's optional Bang & Olufsen audio system. The S3 also comes with four USB-C ports, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional wireless charging pad.

The S3 is available with a full suite of driver aids, though most of them must be added as an option. Still, that's also true for rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and more. What's available works well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The S3 is one of the smallest vehicles in its class, something reflected in both passenger space and cargo volume. While the S3's 10.9-cubic-foot trunk is larger than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class', it's still smaller than the trunks of other luxury compacts. The available space is tall and wide, and the rear seats fold flat to open the space up further. Don't focus on the figure so much as the usable space itself. Storage up front offers a similar story. The center console is small, so we appreciate the decently sized door pockets and phone bin in front of the cupholders.

The small rear seat might be tight, but larger car seats should fit relatively well. The anchors are easy to access on the seat bottom and back.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Audi S3 gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's a hair better than the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and a hair worse than the BMW M235i Gran Coupe. We saw an impressive 30.3 mpg from our test car on our mixed-driving evaluation route, indicating you should have no problem staying frugal if you want to.

Value

8/10

Is the S3 a good value? The S3 starts out priced about equally to the Mercedes-AMG A 35 and BMW M235i Gran Coupe. It's considerably more expensive than the standard A3 sedan, though the gap narrows if you account for things like the S3's standard all-wheel drive, full LED headlights and parking assistance features. And that's not to mention the S3's visual and performance upgrades. Overall build quality is excellent, though some hard plastics in the interior can feel a bit cheap as prices rise.

Audi offers a four-year/50,000-mile basic and drivetrain warranty, average for this class of cars. The A3 also gets four years of roadside assistance. That's a nice perk, but some rivals also include a few years of regular maintenance.

Wildcard

9/10

It seems that Audi has worked harder with this generation to differentiate the design between the A3, S3 and RS 3. The S3 splits the difference between the two, offering sporty accents that give it a bit more character than the A3 without the big intakes and wider fenders you'll see on the RS 3. It fits the S3's personality, which is to say sporty but not hardcore. It's quick and fun around town without being uncomfortable. It's even more fun on winding roads where you can take advantage of the sport suspension and torquey turbocharged engine.

Which S3 does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest checking out the midrange Premium Plus trim. It doesn't represent a big price increase, and you'll get adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, a blind-spot warning system and a wireless charging pad. It's also eligible for the S Sport package that includes an adaptive sport suspension.

Compare 2023 Audi S3 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2023 Audi S3 models

The 2023 Audi S3 is a small luxury sport sedan available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. All models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (306 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque). A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

Premium
The entry-level Premium trim comes with plenty of standard features, including:

18-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires
LED headlights
Panoramic sunroof
Heated exterior mirrors
Three-zone automatic climate control
Digital instrument panel
Heated front seats
Leather upholstery
10.1-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)

Standard driver aids include:

Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Automatic high beams

An optional Convenience package for the Premium trim adds on:

Keyless entry
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Auto-dimming mirrors
Wireless charging pad
Driver's seat memory settings

Premium Plus
Stepping up to the Premium Plus trim gains the Convenience package as standard plus:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Auto-dimming rearview mirror

There's an optional Technology package for the Premium Plus. With it, you get:

Upgraded digital gauge cluster
Navigation system
Bang & Olufsen premium audio system

Prestige
The top-of-the-line Prestige trim has the Technology package as standard. It also has a couple of exclusive features:

Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Enhanced LED headlights and taillights

The Premium Plus and Prestige are eligible for an S Sport package that further sharpens handling with:

Sport suspension with adaptive dampers (helps improve ride comfort and handling stability)
Red-painted brake calipers

Other available upgrades include 19-inch wheels, a Black Optic package (blacked-out trim and wheels) and premium leather upholstery.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Above Average

#15 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi S3 from 2008-2022.}

$785/yr

vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.31x/yr

vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

12.3%

vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Audi S3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.7

3 reviews

5(67%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(33%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

My 2022 Audi S3

Tom S., 03/06/2022

2022 Audi S3 Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I love this car. I bought one of the first 2022 S3s that arrived at the dealership in October of 2021. It is a premium plus package and has all the options that a fully loaded Audi offers except head up display and dancing lights (?). MSRP was little over $57K and I got it a touch below MSRP (😊) and got all the $$$ for my trade and more. I have close to 3200 miles on it. It is quick, …

Excited but disappointed

Mc Audi., 08/01/2023

2022 Audi S3 Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

1. Nappa leather steering wheel stitching is unraveling a little over a year-audi reply: I interior trim only covered for 12 months. Sorry 2. the car came with factory seatbelt pretensioner issues (they won't work at highway speeds) and a passenger side airbag was packed backwards possibly causing metal to blow out. Audi reply: don't have a fix yet (took over 6 months to get a fix). I …

Rocket Power

Patrick V, 12/07/2024

2023 Audi S3 Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I’ve been driving my s3 for two years now and it’s a great compact sedan. The acceleration is incredible, takes off 0-60 in around 4+ seconds. Suspension is stiff but handles extremely well. The best way to drive this car is in sport dynamic manual. The paddle shifters stay in that mode and it makes you feel more engaged with the car. It’s also one of the last generations of Audis with …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Audi S3, so we've included reviews for other years of the S3 since its last redesign.

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2023 S3 Highlights

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$46,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$175/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	8.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the S3 models:

Audi Pre Sense Front: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
Audi Active Lane Assist: Alerts you if you start to drift out of your lane without signaling and can steer to help nudge you back.
Audi Side Assist: Notifies you if there's a car in your blind spot and alerts you if you activate the turn signal.

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2023 Audi S3 Review

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2023 Audi S3Prestige Sedan

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2023 Audi S3Premium Plus Sedan

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2023 Audi S3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi S3 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which S3 does Edmunds recommend?

2023 Audi S3 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Audi S3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

My 2022 Audi S3

Excited but disappointed

Rocket Power

2023 S3 Highlights

Safety

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Prestige Sedan

2023 Audi S3
Premium Plus Sedan

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi S3 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}