2023 Audi S3: The Brand’s Entry-Level Sports Sedan

Highlight: A power packed RS 3 trim is available, pushing out 303-horsepower.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $56,245 (Base A3: $36,495)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features (S3):  airbags; electronic stability control system; a hill decent control system; a rearview camera; and a heated windshield washer nozzle; a blind spot electronic system; a lane departure warning system; audible parking sensors; a forward collision warning and collision system; a rear traffic cross alert system; a tire mobility kit; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment A3:  17-inch wheels; 2.0-liter turbo engine; 201-horsepower; front wheel drive; power driver’s seat with lumbar support; leather seats; a panoramic sunroof with a manual sunshade; a black headliner; a dual zone automatic climate control;

Standard Equipment S3 (2.0-liter turbocharged): 18-inch wheels; a 7-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive; heated front seats; a variety of driving modes; a push button ignition starter system; leather seats; a panoramic sunroof; a three zone climate control system; and run flat summer tires

Options: an adaptive cruise control with lane guidance; an alarm sensor with motion sensor; animation for headlights and taillights; an advanced key; Audi connect PLUS; MMI navigation PLUS; a side assist with rear cross traffic assist; a virtual cockpit PLUS; digital interior mirror with a compass; power folding exterior mirrors with memory; Bang and Olufsen sound system with 3D sound; a heads up display (HUD); matrix design LED headlights; a memory for the driver’s seat; SiriusXM; traffic sign recognition; a wireless phone charging pad; a Nappa leather package; red brake calipers; and a sport suspension with damper control

Other Trim Levels:

A3

RS 3

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter Turbo, 4-cylinder engine/288-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium 

Standard Fuel Mileage (Test Model): 23 city/32 hwy

What’s New: After going through a redesign during the 2022 model year, with the exception of a few content changes, the sporty compact sedan is literally a carryover model for the 2023 model year.

Pros:

Variety of driving modes

The virtual cockpit display

All-wheel drive

A sporty exterior styling

Sportier suspension system

A peppy engine

A driving experience that exudes precision

Precision steering

18-inch wheels available

Quad dual exhaust pipes

A clean and modern layout of the electronic instrument panel and infotainment screen

Easy to maneuver.

Vibrant exterior colors

Red brake calipers

HUD (heads up display)

Bang and Olufsen sound system

A wireless charging pad

A panoramic sunroof

Cons:

No manual transmission???

No brake hold feature

Audi nickel and dimes consumers, when optioning out the vehicle. Thus, this drives up the overall cost of the vehicle.

No rear-wheel-drive platform

Verdict: Audi’s second-generation entry-level sedan was redesigned during the 2022 model year. For the 2023 model year, most of the changes are on the inside of the vehicle, all related to package trim changes. Depending on the trim, one now has access to the much-needed radar adaptive cruise control to a wireless charging pad for smartphones.

The compact A3, which is based on a front wheel drive platform, is only available on the base A3. However, for those seeking to enhance their driving experience of this precision driven machine, the A3, the midlevel S3 and the higher end power packed RS 3 are all available in an all-wheel drive wheel configuration. In fact, on the S3 and RS 3 all-wheel drive is standard.

While all, but one of the competitors in the segment, the Acura Integra, is based on a front wheel drive platform, everyone else in the segment is driven by a rear-wheel drive configuration. Audi has been able to remain competitive by making all-wheel drive standard on their S and RS trims (or in Audi terminology they prefer using the word quattro).

The S3 sedan we reviewed finds the perfect balance in terms of drivability, style and optional features. It offers more horsepower, larger wheels, an upgraded suspension system, supportive seating and a host of optional features, ranging from a more amped up sound system to red brake calipers to a virtual digital instrument panel. While the S3 option list was a little pricey, there is no other car in this segment that offers the steering and driving experience that’s exclusive to Audi. 

S3 Competition:  Acura Integra Type S; BMW 2 Series Grand Coupe (M235i); and Genesis G70