Audi S3 Prestige 2.0 TFSI Quattro Review: Compact Luxury Sports Sedan

The Audi S3’s backstory dates to 1999, when the 8L (Audi’s internal designation) S3 debuted as a three-door hatchback. This marked the first time Audi applied the “S” nomenclature to a car with a four-cylinder engine. Based upon the platform underpinning the VW Golf GTI, the S3 offered more power and an interior treatment befitting a premium compact car.

Base Trim Engine

2.0 Turbocharged four-cylinder Gas

Base Trim Transmission

7-speed dual-clutch Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

328 hp

Base Trim Torque

295 lb-ft

Make

Audi

Model

S3 Sedan

Segment

Full-Size Luxury Sedan

The 8L S3’s 1.8-liter turbocharged four produced 210 horsepower, 199 pound-feet of torque, and fed all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Some 26 years later, the subject of this review, the 2025 Audi S3 Prestige 2.0 TFSI Quattro, brilliantly illustrates the longevity of the concept. Now in its fourth generation, the Typ 8Y S3’s pricing starts at $48,700. Price as tested for the example reviewed here is $59,740.

Audi S3 Prestige 2.0 TFSI Quattro First Impressions

As understated as the S3’s classy looks are, its performance intent becomes wholly evident when viewed next to the standard A3. At once lithe and muscular, the 8Y S3 looks, well—ripped. The muscular fender flares, slightly lowered stance, and huge front air intakes say this compact sedan came to play.

Among its model year ’25 updates, the S3’s got L-shaped grille accents with a glossy finish. These complemented the new front spoiler, which incorporated a pair of upright elements to make it look even more aggressive.The L-shaped accents are repeated in the lower valance at the rear, which also features diffusing strakes.

The optional Black Optic Package ($1,650), with which the S3 I drove was fitted, includes Anthracite-colored Audi rings in addition to black exterior trim. Dark chrome exhaust tips and 19-inch multi-spoke Audi S-design wheels, fitted with low-profile 235/35-19 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, complete the package.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Thrust is sourced from a 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline four, which is tuned to make 328 horsepower at 5,450 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm on premium fuel. The all-wheel drive powertrain (Quattro – in Audi-speak) employs Audi’s seven-speed S-Tronic transmission. The dual-clutch gearbox offers both manual and automatic modes, with unimaginably quick manual shifts, punctuated by audible “poofs”. During my testing, the S3 repeatedly executed four-second zero-to-60 runs, according to my Omega Speedmaster.

Its handling sublimely neutral, the 8Y S3 offers direct turn-in with utter obedience to driver inputs. What’s more, the new torque-splitting rear differential let me get on the throttle earlier to bring the rear end around so I could exit turns carrying more speed. Try as I might, the tenacious little S3never threatened to break away. It just took a set and stuck. Even better, thanks in part to its adaptive suspension system, the S3 will do this regardless of the drive mode setting you’ve chosen. With that said, Audi also offers a Dynamic Plus mode, which allowed me to hang the S3’s tail out as if it had rear-wheel drive.

Getting back to the engine for a moment, the turbo is configured with preloading now. With it, the turbo continued spinning even when I was off the throttle in performance driving situations. Eliminating turbo lag, this gave me peak torque on demand when using the car vigorously. As a result, the little Audi pulled like it was running a small V-8, rather than a turbocharged four.

Performance Specifications

Audi S3 Fuel Economy

Right about now, given the S3’s aptitude for performance, about which I’ve waxed so enthusiastically, you’re probably expecting fuel economy to be measured in smiles per gallon — rather than miles. Happily, the 8Y S3 comes with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in the city, 31 on the highway, and 26 combined. However, that combined number is more likely to be achieved without the brisk canyon runs I went out of my way to do. With them, I only saw 22 mpg overall, which I thought was reasonable, considering how much fun I was having.

Interior Design And Comfort

Long praised for both the quality and aesthetic of its interior treatments, Audi’s offerings have a high bar by which they are measured these days. With that said, given that the S3 is based upon the marque’s entry-level sedan, you might be prepared to give the S3 something of a pass in this regard. There is no need to do so. The standards by which every other Audi is judged can be applied here as well.

The 8Y S3’s featured innovative ambient lighting that glowed through the fabric on the front doors in a graduated pattern. This was in addition to the typical linear accents found in most upmarket cars these days. Playing around with the color settings, I found 30 different combinations from which to choose. Contour lighting enhanced the center console, too.

Another aspect of the design of the Audi’s interior I appreciated was the treatment of the digital displays. In a time when everyone seems to be racing toward a single frame housing the instrumentation and infotainment monitors, Audi keeps them separate in the S3. As odd as this might sound, it gives the interior more of a traditional appearance. It also looks a lot less busy.

As for passenger comfort, the Audi offered ample leg, shoulder, and headroom up front. As perhaps is to be expected of a compact sports sedan, rear seat legroom was considerably less generous in that regard. So much so, I wouldn’t put any adult — whose comfort mattered to me—back there. It’s fine for younger children, though. Upholstered in quilted Nappa leather, the seats made a strong visual impression. Ingress and egress were easily accomplished, outward visibility was good all-around, and the driving position was spot-on.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Tech-specific elements of the $6,200 Prestige Package with which the S3 I drove was fitted included navigation, traffic sign recognition, smart cruise with lane keeping, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a head-up display. Standard tech features included four USB ports, wireless phone chargin,g and a 360° overhead camera. Driver’s aids includedautomated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic monitoring.

Cargo And Storage Space

We’re talking compact luxury sport sedan here, so the trunk is best characterized as diminutive. You’ll be looking at eight cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is enough for four carry-on bags. Folding the rear seat forward extended the trunk into the passenger compartment for more carrying capacity. Doing so will get you closer to 12 or 14 carry-on bags. But of course, with two people aboard, will you really need to carry 14 suitcases? Seatback pockets, door cubbies, the glove box, and center console storage round out the S3’s stuff-carrying accommodations.

2025 Audi S3 vs. Its Competitors

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

Acura

The Audi S3 Prestige 2.0 TFSI Quattro’s two most formidable competitors are the BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe and the Acura Integra Type S. Like the Audi, the BMW runs a turbocharged four and can be fitted with all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the Acura, though offered only with front-wheel drive, does offer a traditional six-speed manual transmission. This is a significant differentiator, as the Audi and BMW are only offered with dual-clutch automated transmissions. While technically superior, DCTs don’t provide the visceral reward many driving enthusiasts appreciate when compared to fully manual transmissions.

How The Audi S3 Compares To The Acura Integra Type S

Base Trim Engine

2L I-4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

6-speed manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

320 HP @6500 RPM

Base Trim Torque

310 lb.-ft. @ 2600 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

21/28/24 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Acura

Model

Integra Type S

A front-wheel-drive-only proposition, the 2025 Acura Integra Type S employs a six-speed manual gearbox, making it the only member of this trio to do so. The transversely mounted turbocharged 2.0-liter four is said to be good for 320 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 2,600 rpm. This makes the Audi the most powerful offering among the three. Acura’s quoted zero to 60 time for the Integra Type S is 5.1 seconds, which illustrates one of the benefits of the all-wheel drive powertrain employed by Audi and BMW. Afforded more grip, the M235 and the S3 are quicker off the line, posting times nearly a full second ahead of the Acura, despite the fact that they are nearly 300 pounds heavier.

How The Audi S3 Compares To The BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe

Like the Audi, the BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe is an all-wheel drive offering based on a front-drive platform. Also, like the Audi, the BMW runs an automated dual-clutch gearbox. The similarities continue in that BMW’s engine is mounted transversely as opposed to longitudinally, which is the way BMW usually does it. Also like the Audi, the BMW runs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four. However, the BMW’s gearbox has seven speeds, and the engine is said to be good for 312 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm. The M235 xDrive Gran Coupe’s quoted zero-to-60 time is 4.2 seconds – once again, just like the Audi.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

With all due respect to Acura and BMW, the Audi is the one I’d most like to have at my disposal. To my eyes, the 8Y S3’s exterior design is better looking than those of the Acura and the BMW. The S3 also has a nicer interior treatment. Of course, the Audi is the more costly choice here, so these things ought to be true. Meanwhile, both the M235 Gran Coupe and the Integra Type S are offered with complimentary maintenance programs – making them more practical choices when compared to the S3.

And yet, despite those considerations, that little Audi just sings to me. I’d be very happy to have a 2025 Audi S3 Prestige 2.0 TFSI Quattro follow me home.