2019 Audi S3 review

What We Like

Performance: The S3’s turbocharged engine packs a wallop of low-end and midrange power, making for eager and effortless acceleration. High-performance tires and standard all-wheel drive keep the S3 stuck to the road in tight turns and fast corners, while the stiff suspension makes body roll nonexistent. Enthusiast drivers may find the S3’s steering a bit artificial, but most casual drivers will love its responsiveness. This is an easy car to drive fast.

Comfort: The S3’s front seats are roomy and wide, with firmer cushions and a more sculpted sport shape than the A3 buckets. Similarly, the S3’s suspension is firmer thanks to more aggressive tuning. However, that additional handling doesn’t mean a bumpy ride; instead the S3 is civil and composed. Models with the available adaptive suspension let you choose from Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic modes, useful for different surfaces and conditions. We’d encourage buyers to stick with 18-inch wheels; the 19-inch versions included in the optional Black Optic package only stiffen the ride.

Interior: The S3 might be a high-performance, entry-level sedan, but its interior suggests otherwise. Supple leather, contrast stitching, textured panels, and aluminum accents feel lifted from a larger, more expensive car, while knobs and switches operate with weighted action that reinforces the feeling of a sturdy, well-built car. Clear views out the windows make for confident hustling or threading through tight traffic, and the thick-rimmed steering wheel enhances the joy of driving. A pop-up infotainment dash display with crisp graphics makes it easy to view maps, media, or phone information.

What Needs Improvement

Roominess: Like the A3 it’s based on, the S3 is short, which means there isn't much room inside. The rear seats are supportive but have very upright seatbacks, and there’s not a lot of legroom or headroom. The S3’s size and all-wheel-drive hardware — the bulk of it under the back of the car — also limit its cargo space. The trunk measures a meager 10 cubic feet.