AudiS3

　　

2024 Audi S3 Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　Audi's A3 gets a lot right as an entry-level luxury sedan. It's well equipped with features and it's comfortable and enjoyable to drive. But what if its 201 horsepower isn't enough oomph for you? Enter the spiced-up 2024 S3. The S3 pumps out 306 horsepower and boasts upgraded brakes, suspension and tires for improved performance. It's the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of an S-badged Audi. Since it's based on the A3, the S3 is the same size, has all-wheel drive, and shares most of its tech, luxury and convenience features.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The right balance of performance and comfort

The S3 is a well-rounded sport sedan that is both fun to drive and comfortable to ride in. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a rapid 4.6 seconds, and its nimble handling, strong brakes, responsive steering, and all-wheel-drive traction make for a great time on twisty back roads. Its front seats are supportive, and the back seat is roomy enough for adults for shorter trips. Bigger performance sedans such as Audi's S4 or BMW's M340i are roomier but lack the compact feel of the S3.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and the BMW M235i Gran Coupe are two solid compact sport sedan alternatives that are similarly priced and provide similar power and all-wheel drive. There's also the new Acura Integra Type S. It's sportier and has a bigger back seat and cargo area than the S3, though it comes only with a manual transmission, which isn't the best for daily commuting. Finally, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is a great all-electric option. Check out the zzdcar Expert Rating for our test team's detailed review of the 2024 Audi S3.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the S3 drive? The S3 feels light and nimble on the road, aided further by responsive steering and a sport-tuned suspension. It's quick too. Our test S3 raced from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 4.6 seconds, and there's power all over the rev range, making the S3 feel quick both on city streets and winding back roads. When you're not revving it out, the S3 settles down into an easygoing demeanor, and its responsive transmission shifts quickly.

　　Standard all-wheel drive makes sure that power always reaches the pavement, and the powerful brakes inspire confidence. During our panic-braking tests at zzdcar' test facility, the S3 stopped from 60 mph in a commendable 107 feet and showed excellent stability with every stop. As a bonus, the S3's small size and light steering make it a cinch to park too.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the S3? The S3 comes standard with sportier, more supportive and somewhat more comfortable seats than the standard A3. They're well padded and offer lots of adjustment, and they do a great job of keeping you in place in faster curves without feeling confining. With the available sport suspension with adjustable dampers, the ride is actually better than the standard A3's too.

　　The standard three-zone climate control system is excellent, working quickly and evenly to cool the car down. The heated seats work well in cooler weather. The climate control buttons are all on a row on the dash, making them easy to operate without taking your eyes off the road. We also appreciate Audi's use of real buttons.

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