Spectacular powertrain makes us forget plain interior
I only had a chance to use this S3 for quick ride, but I’ve driven them before, though, and I’ll repeat: MQB platform plus the 2.0-liter turbo-four plus AWD equals some good fun. The car is quick — from the seat of my pants, I believe Audi’s sub-five-second 0-60 claim. The engine is a joy; the little bugger turns out 292 hp! Here’s how old I am: I remember it was a big deal when the VW Group 2.0-liter turbo-four’s hp cracked 200. Anyway, the power and torque come on smoothly. Turbo lag? Doesn’t exist. The dual-clutch snaps off gear changes quickly. This truly is a car that’s fun to pitch around town. It lets you fling it into corners with some oomph without giving up grip. Conversely, you can truck down the freeway quickly and comfortably. It’s all just so nice.
The cockpit is, well, Audi-like in terms of quality, and the layout is nice and simple — few buttons/switches gumming it up. I dig the S3 stitching and brushed aluminum inside.
I dig it.
— Wes Raynal, editor
The S3 gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC I4, a six-speed automatic, 292 hp @ 5,400-6,200 rpm and 280 lb-ft @ 1,900-5,300 rpm.
OTHER VOICES:
Methinks Raynal is letting the S3’s inherent driving goodness cloud his judgment. This interior is Audi-like in its layout only in the sense that it contains instruments, a screen and a badge with the word “quattro.” Otherwise, this is the bizzaro-Audi, the one where my only real bone of contention is its bleak, spartan interior.
I’ve been critical of highly tuned turbo-four/DCT combos, but much like the CVT, time is making these powertrains vastly better. There’s very little jerkiness when creeping in traffic in the S3, and once you’ve got room to open it up, this little bastard is stupid quick as it spits lovely DTM blatting sounds from the exhaust on shifts.
Thing is, a Golf R will do that for $ 12K less and give you a far nicer cockpit in which to sit. I suppose if you must have a sedan (and it’s a good-looking sedan at that), the S3 might be worth the extra coin, but it won’t be a contender for me until Audi fixes the interior.
— Andy Stoy, digital editor
European model shown.
If I’m getting into an S-badged Audi for somewhere in the 40k range, I’m not complaining. This is the new paradigm. The Mercedes CLA45 AMG, granted it has a good bit more power, is 50k! If you compare it to a Subaru WRX STI, it’s about the same price, about the same power, ‘cept you get that Audi badge on your hood. And sure, the same chassis/engine combo can be had in the Golf for less, but there is something to be said about brands and appearances, for better or worse.
This car rips on the street. Audi smoothed out most of the dual-clutch jerkiness and it’s basically smooth sailing from there on out. Once the gears mesh, this thing takes off like a rocket, and shifts don’t slow it down in the least. And like Andy said, you even get a little brap-brap out of the exhaust when going full blast.
Steering has a good, mechanical feel as do the suspension and brakes. The ratio is quick and chopping apexes is almost required. It’s a fun little game to play, try to straighten out your ride to work, knocking tenths of a mile off at a time.
The interior is Spartan, but that’s what you get with the least expensive go-fast Audi in the bunch. The dash is extremely clean and easy to understand, and it all works well together, as long as you’re not looking for A8 levels of refinement. Seat comfort is medium, lateral support is good, but remember, this is the hardest and most uncomfortable these seats will ever feel. After a year or so, these babies will be nicely broken in.
At $ 44k-$ 48k this S3 probably wouldn’t be my first choice in the small, sport-luxury sedan group. I’d probably want something rear-wheel drive, and with a manual, though those are getting harder to find, but it would definitely be on my list. And I’ve said this before, but it’s really the key. Manufacturers know to price these semi-niche cars right next to their competitors, and they’re all very good. Test drive them all, you can’t go wrong.
— Jake Lingeman, road test editor
European model shown.
Options: S3 technology package including 1 CD/DVD-player with HD radio, Audi MMI navigation plus with voice control, Audi MMI touch, Audi connect with online services and Audi side assist ($ 2,600); S Sport seat package ($ 1,450); mythos black metallic ($ 575); red brake calipers ($ 400)
