2022 Audi S3

2022 Audi S3 Review

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiVehicle 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.

　　The Audi S3 is fully redesigned for 2022 and finds an admirable middle ground between the more conventional A3 and higher-performing RS 3, both in terms of price and personality. With 306 horsepower and all-wheel drive as standard, the S3 is a big step up from the 201-hp A3 and a sensible alternative to the RS 3's monster 401 hp.

　　Despite being Audi's entry-level vehicles, the A3 and S3 deliver a healthy dose of modern luxury and tech features. On top of that, they're some of the smallest sedans in the class, making them wildly entertaining on a twisty road and a breeze to park in a tight spot. At the same time, there's a decent amount of space for passengers.

　　For the money, the 2022 Audi S3 is a strong performer that should thrill most spirited drivers, but it's not alone. BMW also redesigned the petite 2 Series Coupe this year and has the potential to eclipse the S3's performance, though perhaps not its convenience. There's also the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 that finds a similar balance of fun and luxury as the S3. Check out our Expert Rating below to see how it stacks up against these potent little luxury cars.

　　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

　　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 always 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

　　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 continued use of real buttons.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below