Audi S3
The 2026 Audi S3 presents an average reliability profile, meaning thorough inspection is paramount.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2024 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km | Fuel-economy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 31 | 26 | 10.23 | 7.59 | 9.05 | — |
| 2025 | 23 | 31 | 26 | 10.23 | 7.59 | 9.05 | — |
| 2024 | 23 | 32 | 26 | 10.23 | 7.35 | 9.05 | — |
| 2023 | 23 | 32 | 26 | 10.23 | 7.35 | 9.05 | — |
| 2022 | 23 | 32 | 27 | 10.23 | 7.35 | 8.71 | — |
| 2020 | 22 | 29 | 25 | 10.69 | 8.11 | 9.41 | 22-29 mpg combined |
| 2019 | 22 | 29 | 25 | 10.69 | 8.11 | 9.41 | — |
| 2018 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 10.69 | 8.4 | 9.41 | — |
| 2017 | 21 | 28 | 24 | 11.2 | 8.4 | 9.8 | — |
| 2016 | 23 | 31 | 26 | 10.23 | 7.59 | 9.05 | — |
| 2015 | 23 | 31 | 26 | 10.23 | 7.59 | 9.05 | — |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Engine code | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Torque | Engine configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2025 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2024 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2023 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2022 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2020 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | CYF | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD/All-Wheel Drive | 288 hp | 280 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
| 2019 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2018 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2017 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2016 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2015 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | EA888 | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 292 hp | 280 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | msrp | pricing | Trim | currency | Base MSRP | MSRP range | Confidence | notes | Source | estimatedAt | Base price | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | Trim: quattro Prestige | quattro Prestige | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | Trim: quattro Prestige | quattro Prestige | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $43,000, MSRP range: $43,000 - $45,600, Confidence: 0.95, notes: MSRP for Premium and Premium Plus trims., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 6/2/2026 | Base price: $43,000, Trim: quattro Premium Plus | quattro Premium Plus | USD | $43,000 | $43,000 - $45,600 | 0.95 | MSRP for Premium and Premium Plus trims. | llm_estimate | 6/2/2026 | $43,000 | — |
| 2019 | — | Base price: $49,800, Series: S3 quattro Premium Plus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $49,800 | S3 quattro Premium Plus |
| 2018 | — | Base price: $48,950, Series: S3 Quattro Prestige | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $48,950 | S3 Quattro Prestige |
| 2017 | — | Series: A3 quattro Premium,S3 quattro Premium plus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | A3 quattro Premium,S3 quattro Premium plus |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | GVWR | Seat rows | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 4 | 325 | 11.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) | Standard | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 4 | 325 | 10 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 103.6, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 103.6 | 18 | 18 |
| 2019 | 5 | 4 | 340 | 10 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 103.6, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 103.6 | 18 | 18 |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 284 | 10 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 103.6, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 103.6 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 103.6, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 103.6 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | — | 4 | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 4 | 325 | 12.3 | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotMonitoring | blindSpotIntervention | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | nhtsaSafetyRatings | rearAeb | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 AUDI S3 4 DR N/A AWD | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rated vehicle: 2026 AUDI S3 4 DR N/A AWD | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 2025 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | Rated vehicle: 2025 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 2024 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | Rated vehicle: 2024 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | — | optional | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | — | optional | — | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 2020 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2020 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2019 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2019 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2018 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2018 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2017 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | optional | — | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2017 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2016 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2016 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2015 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2015 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Technology & electrification
Listed infotainment, equipment, battery, and charging data.
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Audi S3 presents an average reliability profile, meaning thorough inspection is paramount.
2025
The 2025 Audi S3 presents a mixed ownership proposition.
2024
The 2024 Audi S3 offers a compelling blend of performance and luxury, but used buyers should approach with caution due to a high TSB count.
2023
The 2023 Audi S3 offers engaging performance, but its 'Average' public reliability verdict and a high TSB count warrant careful inspection.
2022
The 2022 Audi S3 offers a compelling performance package but warrants a cautious approach for used car buyers.
2020
The 2020 Audi S3 offers engaging performance but requires careful consideration due to its "Average" reliability rating.
2019
The 2019 Audi S3 offers engaging performance but requires careful consideration due to its 'Average' reliability rating.
2018
The 2018 Audi S3 offers sporty performance but demands careful consideration due to its 'Below Average' reliability verdict.
2017
The 2017 Audi S3 offers a compelling blend of performance and refinement, but used buyers must prioritize confirming all safety recalls are completed, particularly those concerning the airbag system.
2016
The 2016 Audi S3 offers potent performance but demands careful consideration due to significant safety recalls and a high TSB count.
2015
The 2015 Audi S3 offers engaging performance but demands careful consideration due to significant reliability concerns, particularly regarding its passenger airbag system.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Audi S3?
Carfocal currently has 11 published S3 reports, covering 2015 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Audi S3 presents an average reliability profile, meaning thorough inspection is paramount.
Published year coverage: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Audi S3 reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Audi S3. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 audi s3 presents an average reliability profile, meaning thorough inspection is paramount. and the 2026 audi s3's value hinges on its performance credentials versus its average reliability. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
11 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Audi S3?
Across Carfocal's published S3 guides, recurring problem areas include Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), Ignition Coils, and DSG Mechatronic Unit. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), Ignition Coils, and DSG Mechatronic Unit.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 11
- Years tracked
- 11
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints