Audi S3 2022

Damika Alwis
May 7, 2022
Audi Sedan

Performance
Rated 3 out of 5
Safety
Rated 3 out of 5
Quality and Reliability
Rated 3 out of 5
Tech
Rated 3 out of 5
Interior
Rated 3 out of 5
Fuel Economy
Rated 3 out of 5

4.5/5

Overall Score

The entry-luxury small sedan sector is still strong in the Age of the SUV, and Audi will soon introduce a performance-focused rival in the form of the S3, which will debut in 2022. The sporty BMW M235i Gran Coupe, Cadillac CT4-V, and Mercedes-AMG CLA35 go head-to-head with the hotly modified variant of the new A3 sedan known as the S3. We're pleased to report that the fun-to-drive quality that made the previous iteration of this car so great is still there in this little sports sedan. The S3 shares the same interior as the brand-new 2022 A3, which pulls technology and aesthetic cues from Audi's bigger sedans, the A4 and the A6, but the S3 has a more modern vibe throughout. If the S3 falls short of your performance expectations, Audi will soon also offer a revived RS3 model, which we assess separately.

Specs

Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE: $46,895/$56,840
ENGINE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Top Speed: 155 mph
FUEL ECONOMY: 25 mpg

Pros

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

Cons

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

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 306 horsepower, and seven-speed automatic transmission are standard on all S3 versions. We complimented the S3’s agile handling on our initial test drive and observed that its engine was vivacious, eager, and thunderous. When driving in the more relaxed Comfort driving mode, we did notice that the S3’s heavy steering lacks input and that there is a significant amount of turbo lag. The S3 accelerated to 60 mph on our test track in 4.3 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 108 mph.

According to the EPA, the S3 can get 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, outperforming the CLA35 and matching the M235i Gran Coupe in efficiency. We’ll revise this article with the findings once we have the chance to test the S3’s highway fuel efficiency on our 75 mph test route.

The S3’s interior resembles that of the new 2022 A3 almost exactly, but it also has a few more aggressive style cues including sport seats with quilted leather inlays and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The toggle-switch gear selector for the A3 is also provided for the S3. Though Audi provides the S3 with a more extensive range of standard amenities, such as an illuminated door jamb scuff plate, three-zone automatic temperature control, and a panoramic sunroof. This new generation of automobiles has somewhat more room for passengers, but the trunk is smaller.

The S3 has a 10.1- or 12.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built into the most recent MMI software interface from Audi. A Bang & Olufsen sound system, in-dash navigation, and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display are all included in the Technology package, which is an option for buyers of the mid-range Premium Plus grade.