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Audi S3 road tests and consumer car reviews

Audi S3

4.5 stars - average customer rating
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Superb acceleration and agility are the hallmarks of the Audi S3. The Audi S3 is a powerful performer which punches above its weight.

Audi S3 consumer reviews by year of make: 2007  2008  2009  2010 

Road tests

Audi S3

Sportback - The turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-litre engine produces a mighty 261bhp and 258lb-ft of torque, with the turbo lag of previous versions reduced by Audi's engineers. This means that the 0-62mph sprint takes place in just 5.8 seconds, placing it up against cars such as the BMW Z4, Ford Focus RS a [...]

Road Test Reports Says 4.5 star rating Full Report
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Audi S3 consumer car reviews

Peter, Hampshire

Audi S3 Black Edition 2008

4 star review

I had the 2008 S3 for 18 months, which I had bought as 2 1/2 year old used car from an Audi dealership. It replaced a 1998 A3 1.8T, which I’d had for 7 years. Pros: Great acceleration in all conditions from a wide rev range (2.5k +), traction is especially good for those eternally damp winter UK roads e.g. when pulling out of junctions quickly or planting the throttle out of corners. Cornering grip is superb and it feels like its gliding around on rails. Exhaust note and turbo spool whine at certain revs. Exhaust can burble and pop during enthusiastic driving. Interior: Look and feel wise the quality is as good as it gets. Build quality: Nothing rattles. Stealth looks. Practical for size. Reasonable fuel economy for performance - I have a long term average of 33mpg. People do occasionally compliment my car. Cons: Engine note can leave you wanting a V6. Some minor turbo lag at times, e.g. planting the throttle if you’ve been coasting for a second or two. Ride can be a bit harsh on badly surfaced roads. Reading lights are not standard (you need the interior light pack!). Summary: Overall I’m very pleased with it. As an overall package its a good choice. If it sounded like an R32 I’d give it 5 stars. I would buy another.

Submitted: 28/01/2012 21:49:15 | ID: 8929

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Danny Jacobs, Surrey

Audi S3 3 door manual 2007

3 star review

Audi S3..On reflection it looks good, 0-60 in 5.6 261bhp 4 wheel drive (Sort of) and priced at 27k new. I bought second hand from Audi. The car was on the Audi website and the only one with sat nav and red leather, drove 70 miles to the garage, it was mucky (it was December) I think the manager had been using it or somthing. Ended up buying it along with GAP. Bit cheeky of them. Good car fast oh yeah, however, leaves you feeling a bit underwhelmed. It’s the only car I’ve ever stalled in traffic, I think a 2.0 for a car that heavy is not enough! The engines is a little dead until 2500, and I used to pine for an R32 as imagine it would have low down grunt. The ride is harsh, damping is short, no good for UK/Spanish roads. Steering could have been a bit quicker as well. The best interiour in any car I’ve driven even new M3s not as nice. still not sure, however, I love the idea of a hot hatch. Will see if the RS3 is better, probably.

Submitted: 11/03/2011 15:36:42 | ID: 7335

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Paul, England

Audi S3 Black Edition 2010

5 star review

This car has been a revelation. I bought (leased) it because I wanted a replacement which has similar out and out acceleration and top speed as the BMW 335i that I had previously but with a much lower price tag and company car tax penalty. The ride is good, smooth and quiet when not pressing on but put your foot down and the car comes alive; the engine note is more intrusive and the car just wants to fly. Cornering is out of this world. You enter a corner faster than you think is decent and then accelerate and the car slingshots out as if on rails. I haven’t found the point where it all lets go and I don’t want to because reversing that fast through a hedge wouldn’t be fun!! The car is solid, no rattles or creaks that beset the BMW. I love it and will almost certainly replace it when the time comes, with its new sister.

Submitted: 09/03/2011 20:36:59 | ID: 7320

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Victor Jones, Sussex

Audi S3 black edition manual 2010

5 star review

Just ordered one of these for the wife to replace her TT Mk 2 3.2 (2007) Roadster as she needs more space. New car will be Ibis White with a few extras but you get colour sat nav, bose, bluetooth, Ipod connector,heated FULL leather, and loads of other stuff as standard in any case. Cost is 29750 on the road with a bit of discount (dealer has split his 9% margin with us). We were lent one by Audi for a long weekend and we didn’t want to give it back. It has the same quattro drivetrain as my wife’s TT with the exception of the much lighter 2.0 high output turbo which is 60kg lighter than the V6. The handling is amazing, with the steering and turn-in being much sharper in particular. We also looked at the golf R, which is mechanically identical - BUT by the time you add all the extras to bring it up to the same spec as the S3 the golf came in at £36150. This makes the Audi something of a bargain. Roll on delivey on 8th December!

Submitted: 27/11/2010 15:10:16 | ID: 6572

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Tristan, Essex

Audi S3 2007

4 star review

Very good car pulls well and exceptional interior, mine had optional red leather and flat bottom steering wheel is a must. Problem I had was the crashy ride the damping is fair to hard for most UK country roads, felt like I was damaging somthing. Secondly the engine is dead before 2500rpm which makes for frustrating driving, like you either drive slowly or you go bang and all the power comes, which I felt embarrased at somtimes. I’m going to try a golf R32 as I want to waft it, probably a getter engine. Clarkson is right in his review in the times 2007.. quote "no power when you want it and too much when you don’t".. try one, it may just me me, plus I’d get the 5 door now available.

Submitted: 24/08/2010 07:10:27 | ID: 5980

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Richard Whereat, Wiltshire

Audi S3 S3 Sportback 2009

5 star review

I have had my S3 now for 6 weeks and all I can say is WOW :o) I have upgraded from a 2006 Imprezza and I didn’t think the Audi would hold the road better, but it does. I can keep the power on through the corners and it feels solid. The S-Tronic gearbox is AMAZING, it changes gear without even a hiccup and in Sport is fabulous. I like the paddle shift, but to be honest, this is just for fun, as there should be no reason to change from Sport mode if I want to go a bit quicker, as it does everything I could possibly want it to. The interior is of an excellent build quality and the only thing missing from our model is an electric programmable front seat, other than than, absolutely no complaints. Test drive one NOW :o)

Submitted: 01/03/2010 09:52:55 | ID: 4741

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Lionel Edwards, Gloucestershire

Audi S3 2.0 2007

4 star review

Great engine, the 2.0 litre T-FSI four-cylinder pumps up the power to 261bhp and offers plenty of torque. The S3 has speed to spare and the four-wheel drive gives great traction. The interior is stunning.

Submitted: 06/11/2007 08:59:11 | ID: 525

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Vicky Hapgood, Wiltshire

Audi S3 2.0 S3 quattro 2007

5 star review

An amazing hot hatch, expensive but worth the price tag, afterall it is an Audi. Plenty of torque, feels fantastic to drive.

Submitted: 05/11/2007 09:24:57 | ID: 503

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