2025 Audi S3 Sedan evaluate

For almost 20 years, the Audi S3 has been the quintessential compact efficiency automotive for these wanting a scorching hatch with out the stigma of the ‘boy racer’ tag.

Over 4 generations Audi has refined the S3 method, steadily making it extra mature and leaving the full-blown craziness to the flagship RS3 – which is because of arrive in all of its facelifted five-cylinder glory later this 12 months.

As a part of the fourth-generation A3’s mid-life facelift, the S3 Sportback and Sedan have been handled to arguably essentially the most important improve of the lot. Extra grunt and a litany of under-the-skin efficiency upgrades make this the quickest and most centered S3 ever, totally eradicating it from the shadow of its Volkswagen Golf R cousin.

Headlining the developments are extra energy and torque (+17kW/20Nm), whereas a brand new rear torque-splitting differential, a reworked front-end delivering higher dealing with, and elevated customary gear additionally type a part of the brand new bundle.

There are additionally new choices for these seeking to additional personalise their car, together with new exterior colors and alloy wheels, a brand new Launch Version bundle, and the choice of a titanium efficiency exhaust from Akrapovic – which prices a whopping $9900!

Lengthy story quick, the adjustments have helped the brand new S3 retain the title of essentially the most well-rounded of the premium compact scorching hatches, regardless of remaining 1000’s of {dollars} cheaper than rivals from BMW and Mercedes-AMG.

Costs are up, nonetheless, and within the grand scheme of issues the newest S3 ain’t all that ‘low cost’ given you may get the exact same mechanical bundle in a Golf R for lots much less. Is it price it? We headed to Cairns in far north Queensland for the nationwide media launch to seek out out.

How a lot does the Audi S3 value?

Pricing is up for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, and the S3 Sedan – like its A3 Sedan counterpart – instructions a premium over its Sportback sibling.

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s the Audi S3 like on the within?

With the brand new A3 scoring the S line inside bundle as customary, the visible variations between the A3 and S3 contained in the cabin aren’t fairly as distinct as you may anticipate.

At first look you may not know whether or not you’re within the driver’s seat of an S3 or a highly-optioned A3, however as is the Audi means there are delicate enhancements for the ‘if , ’ crowd.

The obvious change is the seats, that are completed in ‘Nice Nappa’ leather-based with diamond distinction stitching, and so they’re augmented by extra delicate dinamica suede trim inlays and a red-ringed starter button.

In contrast to the A3, the S3 will get full electrical adjustment for the entrance seats as customary, together with four-way lumbar, with reminiscence presets included as a part of the non-obligatory Premium Plus Package deal ($3300).

Dig deeper and also you’ll positive distinctive efficiency shows for the 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit (digital instrument cluster), particularly the line-bar tachometer, in addition to a color ambient lighting bundle with trick illuminated material panels within the doorways.

Whereas there aren’t actually any wholesale adjustments to the bottom A3’s inside structure or fitout, the core rules that make Audi’s small automotive’s inside nice – and not so nice – stay right here.

The important thing contact factors are fairly beautiful, notably the Nappa leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, as are the crisp and snappy shows. Nonetheless, the clicky haptic suggestions on Audi’s 10.1-inch MMI contact show is among the many most user-friendly, and the multimedia system’s clear interface could be very straightforward to become familiar with.

Tactility of the switchgear is likewise clicky and satisfying, and Audi not like its VW Group members of the family the S3 has retained a bodily pod for local weather controls. No fiddly contact sliders or contact capacitive controls right here.

Audi’s digital driver’s show additionally stays a benchmark, with a heap of configurable layouts and menus, in addition to quite a few totally different types for the tacho and speedo. The Google Maps integration, in addition to the flexibility to venture turn-by-turn prompts from Apple Maps or Google Maps out of your smartphone, can be beaut.

However the not-so-good is right here too, like some scratchier plastics on the mid and decrease sections of the cabin which can be much less excusable on the A3’s value level, not to mention the S3’s.

Additional, the e-tron GT-inspired shift-by-wire gear selector isn’t notably sporty in comparison with the previous Porsche 911-style toggle.

Not less than there’s a very good quantity of storage in your odds and ends, whether or not you’re a younger singleton like me or a household man/woman with a few kiddies.

There’s a pair of toothed cupholders between the entrance seats, a useful shelf forward of the shifter housing a wi-fi telephone charging pad, and large door bins for bottles. You get a cubby beneath the front-centre armrest, too.

Rear seat lodging is very similar to the A3 on which the S3 relies, that means there are minimal adjustments within the second row, the primary change being the up to date upholstery and the addition of a 3rd zone of local weather management – oddly one thing the A3 beforehand lacked in comparison with the Golf, Leon and Octavia.

Rear seat lodging is ok. I’m just a little over 6’1″ and may match behind my very own driving place comparatively comfortably, however any taller folks in both row could possibly be a squeeze. Value noting is the S3 Sedan’s barely tapered roofline in comparison with the S3 Sportback.

The bulkier Sport seats with built-in head restraints up entrance additionally make ahead visibility from the rear extra restricted. There’s additionally an enormous driveline hump within the centre to permit for the quattro all-wheel drive {hardware} in some variants, so center seat riders should share the tighter footwells both facet.

Children and average-sized adults can be positive within the rear, although like most smaller vehicles the S3 is greatest seen as a 4+1-seater. Facilities embrace a fold-down armrest with cupholders, the aforementioned third zone of local weather management with directional vents, a pair of USB-C cost ports, bottle holders within the doorways, and net-type pockets behind the entrance seats.

Additional, you get the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether little one seat anchor factors within the rear for the littlest ones.

Whereas the A3 Sedan affords a cargo capability benefit over the Sportback, the S3’s all-wheel drive {hardware} beneath the boot flooring means the S3 Sedan quotes the identical 325 litres because the Sportback in five-seat type.

Additionally not like the A3, the S3 removes the space-saver spare wheel in favour of a tyre restore equipment.

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The S3 retains the VW Group’s ‘EA888’ 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, but it surely’s now extra highly effective and torquier to match the 245kW/420Nm outputs of the newest Golf R.

Whereas the bottom engine unit is identical, Audi has utilized quite a few adjustments akin to a preloaded turbocharger which affords higher response, tweaks to the ECU, and a brand new Dynamic plus drive mode.

It’s additionally price noting our indicated gas consumption determine was achieved over a spirited drive loop that was largely uphill, which isn’t actually consultant of real-world circumstances.

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How does the Audi S3 drive?

Having pushed the pre-facelift S3 at its Australian launch a number of of years in the past, it’s clear to me that it is a fairly totally different beast.

The previous automotive was hardly ‘smooth’, but it surely was undoubtedly extra GT than outright corner-carver. And it had the added situation of being much less highly effective and fewer athletic than its Golf R cousin.

However that’s all modified with this up to date mannequin, with Audi making use of quite a few adjustments drawn from the Golf R and RS3 to make this a correct sleeper-spec weapon.

Audi has reworked the entrance and rear axles of the brand new S3 to make it sharper, together with new pivot bearings with double the wheel camber up entrance (now 1.5 levels), stiffer entrance wishbone bearings and a revised tune for the progressive steering system. There are greater 357mm entrance brakes with new pads as nicely.

On the rear, the RS3’s rear torque splitter is now customary instead of the previous Haldex clutch, providing totally variable torque distribution between the rear wheels – with clutch packs on both facet, the S3 can ship as much as 100 per cent of rear axle torque (which is as much as 50 per cent of the general front-rear torque cut up) to both wheel.

All of it comes collectively actually wheel on tight, twisty sections of street just like the hillclimb from Cairns to Lake Barrine.

The previous S3 was already a quick and enjoyable automotive on a winding B-road, however this new mannequin takes it to a different stage. There’s unflappable grip from the quattro all-wheel drive system, and the S3 places all its grunt down with out breaking a sweat.

I’d like a bit extra really feel from the steering, even when the variable-ratio rack is a reasonably fast and correct system, however in seemingly typical Audi style it’s just a little light-on for suggestions for a automotive like this.

The usual sports activities exhaust is a bit more muted than I keep in mind – probably a sufferer of ever-tightening emissions and sound rules in Europe – however in sportier settings you get the odd pop on upshifts and overrun while you let off the throttle between 3000 and 4000rpm.

Mess around with the settings – which I want there was fast entry to on the steering wheel – you’ll discover a new ‘dynamic plus’ mode that mainly turns all the things as much as 11. There’s a quicker for improved off-the-line efficiency, buzzing at 1350rpm while you’re at a standstill.

There’s additionally even sharper throttle response, and ‘dynamic cornering’ with that aforementioned rear torque splitter channelling extra torque to the skin rear wheel, whereas the ESC sport mode permits just a little extra play, and the muffler valves are open on a regular basis – no matter whether or not you may have the usual exhaust or the non-obligatory $10k titanium efficiency exhaust.

I wouldn’t use this mode until you’re actually having a crack as a result of it makes the S3 extremely delicate to inputs, however it would actually make you query whether or not you want that RS3 given the S3 is already so darn good.

Actually, past the added tempo you’ll not often use, and that particular five-cylinder engine observe of the RS3, I reckon the brand new S3 is greater than succesful on any street and has loads of expertise to tear up the occasional observe day.

The S3 can be rather well suited to each day driving, extra so than the RS3. Sometimes, Audi S merchandise are higher each day drivers whereas the RS fashions are extra suited to common observe use.

Pop the Audi drive choose system into ‘auto’ or ‘consolation’ and the S3 drives very very similar to an A3 however with extra energy and traction. Its 420Nm of torque makes for clean and easy progress in regular driving, and the consolation mode is definitely fairly snug.

Street and wind noise is pretty nicely suppressed, however the giant wheels and low-profile tyres transmit just a little extra audible suggestions from the blacktop than the usual A3’s wheel and tyre bundle. Fortunately, the beefed up Sonos 16-speaker premium audio very simply drowns out undesirable noise with its deep and clear sound high quality.

As you’d anticipate from an Audi, the suite of driver assists are fairly good too.

The complete gamut of security methods are fitted as customary, headlined by adaptive cruise help which mixes energetic cruise management and lane centring to permit intuitive and user-friendly semi-autonomous freeway driving.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help make merging into visitors or reversing out of tight areas that little bit simpler, whereas the reversing digital camera is supplemented by entrance and rear parking sensors in addition to a semi-autonomous park help – which may steer the S3 into each parallel and perpendicular parking areas.

Audi has confirmed a surround-view digital camera will change into customary gear from April manufacturing, so any orders positioned from now will get even higher all-round visibility.

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What do you get?

The S3 builds on the A3 S line’s specification with quite a few aesthetic and comfort additions.

2025 Audi A3 35 TFSI S line gear highlights:

• 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels – gloss turned
• Area-saver spare wheel
• S line exterior bundle
• LED headlights
• LED daytime working lights
  • incl. a number of digital signatures
• LED tail-lights
• S line inside bundle
• Sport entrance seats with built-in headrests
  • incl. 4-way lumbar assist
• Electrical driver seat adjustment
• Heated entrance seats
• Headliner in black
• Inlays in darkish aluminium spectrum
• Chrome steel pedals
• S multifunction steering wheel
  • Perforated leather-based
  • Distinction stitching
• 3-zone local weather management
• 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit plus
• 10.1-inch MMI navigation plus
  • Voice management incl. pure speech recognition
  • 3D map show
• Audi join plus Navigation & Infotainment– 3 years
  • On-line visitors data
  • Vacation spot entry through myAudi, Google Maps
  • Parking data
  • Climate
• Audi join plus Safety & Help – 3 years
  • Automobile finder with distant sign
  • Distant lock, unlock
  • Emergency name (10 years)
  • On-line roadside help
  • Computerized service reminder (10 years)
• Audi smartphone interface
  • Apple CarPlay – wi-fi, wired
  • Android Auto – wi-fi, wired
• Audi join plus
• Audi telephone field gentle – wi-fi charging
• Audi sound system
  • 10 audio system
  • 180 watts
• Ambient lighting
• Illuminated aluminium sill plates

Audi S3 provides:

• 19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
• Pink brake calipers
• S sport suspension
  • Adaptive damper management
  • 15mm decrease experience peak
• Audi drive choose incl. dynamic plus mode
• Progressive steering – variable ratio
• S exterior styling
• Quad exhaust ideas
• Matrix LED headlights
• Exterior mirror housings in matte aluminium
• Exterior mirrors
  • Heated
  • Energy folding
  • Auto-dimming
  • Kerb view operate
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• 30-colour inside ambient lighting
• Nice Nappa leather-based upholstery
  • incl. diamond stitching
• Dinamica suede inside accents
• Sonos 3D premium sound system
  • 15 audio system
  • 16-channel amplifier
  • 680-watt output
• Encompass-view cameras – from April manufacturing

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

Choices

Just like the A3, the S3 Sportback and Sedan can be found with quite a few packages and single-item choices.

Launch Version Package deal: $1450

• 19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
  • 5-arm star design
  • Black metallic, excessive sheen
• Inlays in carbon atlas construction
• Tailpipe trims in black
• Black exterior styling bundle plus
  • incl. black Audio rings
• Black exterior mirror caps
• S brand LED projection – entrance doorways
• Privateness glass

Premium Plus Package deal: $3300

• Exterior mirrors:
  • Heated
  • Energy folding
  • Auto dimming
  • Reminiscence operate
• Electrical entrance seats incl. driver reminiscence
• Head-up show
• Panoramic sunroof

Carbon Package deal: $5850

• Carbon mirror caps
• Carbon spoiler
• Carbon dashboard inlays
• Black exterior styling bundle plus
• S brand LED projection
• Privateness glass

Standalone choices:

• Akrapovic titanium efficiency exhaust system: $9900
• Audi unique matte paint: $11,400
• Ascari Blue metallic paint: $900
• Black exterior styling bundle plus: $1450
• Electrical tailgate: $850 (Sportback)
• Panoramic sunroof: $2600
• Privateness glass: $825
• Roof rails in aluminium: $710 (Sportback)
• Roof rails in black: $545 (solely along with black styling bundle)
• Inlays in carbon atlas construction: $710

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

Is the Audi S3 secure?

The brand new Audi A3 will retain the five-star ANCAP security score of its predecessor, based mostly on Euro NCAP assessments performed in 2020 – although the S3 is at the moment unrated.

Customary security gear consists of:

• 6 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection
  • Flip help
• Adaptive cruise help
  • Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
  • Emergency help
  • Lane centring help
  • Site visitors jam help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep help
• Park help
• Parking sensors – entrance, rear
• Reversing digital camera

Audi S3 provides:

• Encompass digital camera system – April manufacturing onwards

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How a lot does the Audi S3 value to run?

The S3 is roofed by the identical five-year guarantee as the broader Audi lineup.

Over and above the usual possession provisions, there’s an obtainable Audi Benefit Package deal which extends the guarantee by two years (as much as seven years), along with two years of scheduled servicing (added to the top of any present service plan) and roadside help – this prices $3250 for each A3 and S3 patrons.

Clients additionally obtain a complimentary membership to Audi Expertise throughout their guarantee interval, which affords entry to “unique nationwide occasions, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium associate affords”.

To see how the Audi A3 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi S3

Audi has addressed one of many key complaints of the S3, which can make you now suppose twice about that Golf R or whether or not you want to step as much as the RS3.

Now blessed with a full-fat drivetrain and a few trick chassis expertise besides, the brand new Audi S3 is an entire premium efficiency bundle tailor-made for on a regular basis use.

It’s quicker and sharper than earlier than, but continues to current Audi’s restrained and refined design in and out, for these not eager about conspicuous wings and aero flics.

Whereas costs are up, the S3 remains to be 1000’s cheaper than each the BMW M135 and M235, not to mention the even dearer Mercedes-AMG A35 and CLA35. I’d additionally argue that, regardless of this, the Audi S3 is essentially the most well-rounded of those premium efficiency choices each when it comes to the driving expertise and specification.

That’s to not say it’s good, although. Whereas its mechanical bundle now matches its Golf R relative, the S3 Sportback is $8000 pricier than the VW, and the S3 Sedan is a few $10,000 costlier. Whereas the Audi’s extra premium design and appointments go some option to justifying that additional spend, it’s not that a lot better objectively.

Certainly I’d go so far as saying there are some cheap-feeling cabin trimmings that merely don’t really feel as much as scratch within the A3, not to mention the S3. Contemplating Cupra is basically dressing up the inside of its associated Leon with its mid-life facelift, it makes you surprise why Audi didn’t put in additional effort.

Nonetheless, Audi’s intuitive tech integration and tactile switchgear is a lower above its VW Group stablemates, and inside the context of premium-badged rivals it doesn’t really feel noticeably cheaper by any nice measure. And among the costlier AMG fashions are likewise criticised for his or her plasticky interiors.

Sure, the Audi is my choose over alternate options from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, however my recommendation is to go straightforward on the choices. You’ll be able to very simply ship the S3 into six-figure territory if you happen to tick too many bins, which is an insane amount of money for any compact automotive – and the Premium Plus Package deal provides you all you actually want anyway.

Sedan or Sportback? That’s roughly a query of non-public style, however personally I choose the cheaper hatch on this present era, particularly in sportier S3 guise.

Serious about shopping for an Audi S3? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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