2022 Audi S3 Road Test | Cute-sized efficiency

The Audi S3 has lengthy been an fanatic’s luxurious sedan various to the Volkswagen Golf R. These two have shared chassis, powertrains and driving dynamics, however at all times diverse broadly when it got here to pricing. No longer is the Golf R its sole comparability, although, as others just like the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and BMW M235i Gran Coupe at the moment are right here to problem it. And regardless of its extra pure luxurious competitors being within the fold, that Golf R comparability is extra legitimate than ever, because the freshly redesigned S3, beginning at $46,925 with vacation spot, is priced almost identically to a Golf R.

With opponents knocking on the door from each which manner, it’s a great factor that the S3 continues to be a small storm of a sedan to drive. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes a powerful 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is sweet sufficient to crack off 4.5-second 0-60-mph instances utilizing the automobile’s launch management perform. This little bugger is fast, and it’s glad to shout about it with the energetic exhaust system. Put it in “Present” mode — sure, Audi is being well mannered about its exhaust mode setting names — and it crackles, pops and bangs on shifts like each different efficiency automobile out of Germany tends to do nowadays. There’s nothing distinctive or significantly particular in regards to the noise, nevertheless it’s certainly current. Onlookers won’t ever mistake it for an A3, and we’re going to depend that as some extent within the S3’s favor.

In the realm of much less optimistic information, Audi’s current downward pattern by way of inside luxurious hits the A3/S3 fashions, too. The design is certain to catch your consideration upon first look, however spend extra time with the supplies used all through the cabin, and also you’ll shortly conclude that this S3 is of a decrease high quality than the outgoing one. If you’re one who favors a Blade Runner-esque look to your inside, although, this S3 is for you. It’s all sharp edges and brutalism in fashion. Functionality is shockingly good, except for the perplexing contact quantity scroller that operates like an outdated iPod Nano. The outdated little knob was higher. Besides that, Audi offers bodily, simply learn controls for the local weather and radio. It’s the direct reverse of a Golf R on this respect, which is one motive why the S3 is so tempting. Trying to function the Golf R’s irritating local weather/multimedia interface at evening could be all that is wanted to win you over to Audi’s aspect.

Start hustling an S3 down a twisty highway, although, and favor shortly returns to the Golf R. That’s as a result of Audi doesn’t equip the S3 with the brand new torque-vectoring rear differential discovered on the Golf R. At Audi, this superior dealing with (and drifting) tech is reserved for the five-cylinder RS 3 — a disgrace, seeing that this new rear differential genuinely made the brand new Golf R much more enjoyable to drive than the earlier one.

Instead, the Quattro all-wheel-drive system does its job of quelling any trace of on-power understeer in corners, and accelerating you thru them with a great deal of momentum. Dial the adaptive dampers as much as their most aggressive setting, and the trip continues to be moderately agreeable. It’s finest left in that setting if you’d like essentially the most reactive and steady dealing with really feel down a meandering highway. 

The S3’s small dimension works within the automobile’s favor in terms of agility and ease of use, however the 3,538-pound curb weight is an excessive amount of to make it really feel small and tossable. This sedan’s weight is noticeable via corners, and it sadly comes with a dab of front-heaviness, not neutrality. The tire setup on the S3 isn’t monumental, with 235-section-width rubber in any respect 4 corners while you spec the non-compulsory 19-inch wheels, however these summer time tires assist bail the automobile out in some instances. Even while you assume the chassis is a little bit overburdened, the S3 continues to be tenaciously gripping to the pavement.

Like many Audi merchandise of the “S” selection, the S3 shines in day by day driving obligation. The added efficiency you get doesn’t appear to hinder trip consolation in in the least, because the automobile plods over poor pavement with the benefit and isolation you’d count on from an A3. We can not say the identical for the CLA 35, as AMG takes efficiency a bit extra severely than Audi on this case. Even the loud exhaust may be switched to a whisper, reworking the S3 into a great commuter.

Overall utility is stable, with 35.2 inches of rear legroom, although the pretty giant S Sport seats do minimize into and crowd the area within the again. It’s near what you’d discover in a Golf R, however with out the tall roof overhead. Of course, the S3 trunk can’t compete with the Golf’s hatchback. It’s proper about now that we want Audi offered its Sportback model of the S3 and RS 3 right here, as a capacious hatchback is sort of at all times preferable over a small sedan in our eyes (although there may be some caveats).

But alas, we’re caught with the sedan, and regardless of moaning over the physique form, the S3 appears to be like shockingly good. This tester’s Daytona Gray Pearl isn’t our most popular coloration possibility, however the beneficiant software of pink S3 accents and bi-color wheels convey some intrigue to the package deal. It’s a small, scrappy automobile, and the aggressiveness is ramped up one other notch with the Black Optic Package that chops all of the silver trim away to get replaced with shiny black trim, a particular improve.

Unfortunately, all of those choices steeply enhance the worth past that tempting base stage talked about above. At absolutely the minimal, you’ll need the $1,100 S Sport Package that features the adaptive dampers and the 19-inch wheel/summer time tire package deal that forces you into the $1,950 Black Optic Package. This ramps the worth as much as $48,995, which continues to be nearby of a Golf R that comes absolutely loaded as commonplace. The value additionally compares effectively to opponents just like the AMG CLA 35 and M235i Gran Coupe that each get much more costly with comparable gear. 

As it stands in an basically loaded state at $55,890, the S3 is a legit do-it-all performer with almost each little bit of tech you may want or count on from an Audi. You can have enjoyable and smack via the gears on the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, make all of the foolish noise you need and nonetheless have a refined day by day driver when you’re performed being a hooligan. It’s extra enjoyable than the BMW possibility, and gained’t rattle your brains out just like the AMG. This S3 is a candy spot you possibly can lean into if you happen to’re not making an attempt to step into one thing as severe because the RS 3, however nonetheless desire a automobile that may plant a smile in your face every time you drive it.

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