2023 Audi S3 Sedan

2023 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 2023 Audi S3 occupies the middle ground between the supporting A3 and high-performance RS 3. Unlike some middle children, however, the S3 isn't easily ignored. For us, it hits the optimal balance of performance, comfort and price. It's noticeably more entertaining than the A3 while delivering similar thrills as the RS 3 on public roads. The RS 3 (reviewed separately) is a better track-day weapon for enthusiasts who truly need one.

　　Overall, the S3 delivers plenty of performance and technology for an entry-level luxury sedan, but it's not the only game in town. The similarly priced BMW 2 Series gains a performance advantage, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA trends more toward luxury than sport. There's also the larger Genesis G70 that represents a bargain in the class. The 2023 Audi S3 has plenty of its own advantages and we cover all of it below in our Expert Rating. We think you'll agree that the S3 strikes an optimal blend.

　　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 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 use of real buttons.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below