Test Car Specifications
Model: 2025 Audi S3 Sportback Vorsprung TFSI S Tronic (Black Edition pictured)
Price: S3 Sportback from £47,550; Vorsprung from £53,025 (£57,120 as tested)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: seven-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 333hp
Torque: 420Nm
Emissions: 194g/km
Economy: 33.2mpg
0-62mph: 4.7 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Boot space: 325-1,145 litres
Styling
One of the nice things about the Audi S3, as opposed to the RS 3, is that it has a rather understated style. Yes, our test car came with a shouty Akrapovic exhaust that looks a bit aftermarket, but most just get four tailpipes to set them apart from the conventional A3 models. That means they get the same new grille and new Audi logos as the standard car, but the little logo on the B-pillar is different, with the S3 name on it. And, if you get your tape measure out, you'll notice the car sits 15mm lower than standard.
Interior
As with the exterior, the interior of the A3 is pretty similar to that of the standard car, with its new fabrics and inlays, its new air vents and new gear selector. It has three-zone climate control, too, and you get the Audi Virtual Cockpit that has been such a highlight in the A3 and other Audi models for years now. And, of course, it gets the MMI touchscreen display in the centre, which is as intuitive, smart and sharp as ever. Although that's aided by the array of buttons on the dashboard, which makes using the car much easier, particularly on the move. Doubt it'll catch on...
Practicality
In effect, the S3 is just the same as any other A3 Sportback five-door hatchback, so it's similarly spacious inside. Cabin space is adequate without being exceptional, so four adults will fit in there reasonably comfortably, but exceptionally tall passengers won't be too impressed with the leg or headroom on offer. Perhaps more of a concern, though, is the comparative lack of boot space. At 325 litres, the S3's boot is noticeably smaller than that of the standard A3, and it's more cramped than that of the BMW M135. However, it doesn't feel all that tight in there, and we doubt most customers will turn the S3 down on that basis.
Performance
As part of the update, Audi has given the S3 a bit of a power hike, upping the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine's might to 333hp. That power heads through a seven-speed automatic gearbox to all four wheels, directed by Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, allowing the car to maximise traction. That means it'll get from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph, which is pretty impressive. Impressive enough, in fact, to make the RS 3 seem a bit unnecessary.
It even sounds good, particularly with the Akrapovic exhaust option. It doesn't quite have the character of the RS 3's five-cylinder engine, but it makes a nice rumble from a cold start and there's a bit of menace about it.
It isn't especially efficient, though, returning 33.2mpg on the official economy test. But that kind of economy is achievable every day, and it has to be viewed in context. For an all-wheel-drive, automatic car that does 0-62mph in less than five seconds, it really isn't bad at all.
Ride & Handling
For years, Audi has played second fiddle to BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to handling, but the company has made a concerted effort to reverse that trend of late. In the new S3, that means the rear axle technology from the RS 3 has been adopted, with torque vectoring allowing the car to distribute the power as necessary between the two back wheels, rather than simply between the front and rear axles.
The result is a car that feels much less nose-heavy on the exit of corners, with more of a rear-biased feel to the all-wheel-drive system. It isn't about to beat the RS 3 at its own game, but it's much closer to its big brother in handling terms.
And with the adaptive dampers fitted to our test car, it rides pretty well too. Yes, it's stiff, but not intolerably so, with enough compliance to prevent driving around town from feeling like too much of a chore. And on the motorway, the S3 really settles into quite a pleasant gait, making it easy to cover long distances without panicking about the state of your back at the other end. It's even fairly quiet, although there is a bit of road noise from those fat tyres.
Value
S3 Sportback prices start at £47,550, which is quite a lot of money – especially when the mechanically similar VW Golf R is about £3,000 cheaper – but it’s still cheaper than its arch rival, the BMW M135. And you get plenty for your money. The cheapest S3 comes in Black Edition form, with 19-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed heated sports seats and three-zone climate control, as well as LED headlights, the Virtual Cockpit Plus instrument cluster and the 10.1-inch navigation system with a reversing camera. There’s bags of safety kit, too.
The Vorsprung, meanwhile, costs a bit more (although at £53,025, it’s just £800 more expensive than the basic BMW M135 xDrive), but you get different wheels and the upgraded suspension with adaptive shock absorbers, as well as more upmarket headlights, a sunroof and electrically adjustable front seats. A little more safety kit is included as standard, too, but the differences are subtle.
Verdict
The new S3 is clearly an improvement on its predecessor, and though that alone would normally be enough for a high rating, the S3's success is cemented by the fact it's now our car of choice in this class. Yes, it's expensive, but it has a smart cabin, plenty of kit and it's great to drive, which leaves it short of any real weaknesses. Maybe the boot is a bit small, but otherwise it's a spectacular hot hatch that's our new class leader.
