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2020 Audi S3

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$43,000

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

25

Combined MPG

5

Seating capacity

175.8” x 54.8”

Dimensions

All-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(1 review)

The good:

  • Strong acceleration
  • Excellent ride quality
  • Leather upholstery standard
  • Panoramic moonroof standard

The bad:

  • Snug backseat
  • Numb steering feel
  • Gets expensive with options
  • Convertible is gone

2 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2020 Audi S3 trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2024

Notable features

  • Five-seat entry-luxury sedan
  • Turbo four- and five-cylinder engines available
  • Front- or all-wheel drive
  • S3 and RS 3 performance variants available
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto standard

2020 Audi S3 review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2020 Audi A3?

The A3 is Audi’s entry-level car and is available as a five-seat sedan; the previously available convertible version has been discontinued for 2020. The front-wheel-drive A3 comes with a 184-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the all-wheel-drive version gets a 228-hp, turbo four-cylinder. Both engines work with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The A3 is also offered in two performance-tuned variants, the S3 and RS 3. The S3 gets a 288-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the RS 3 is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder that makes 394 hp. Competitors include the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

What’s New on the 2020 Audi A3?

A new Final Edition Package includes black or red leather sport seats with contrast stitching, and a three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles. All-wheel-drive A3s get S line badges, aluminum door sills and unique 18-inch wheels. A new, less expensive Premium trim level joins the S3 lineup for 2020.

What Features in the 2020 Audi A3 Are Most Important?

All-wheel drive has been a hallmark of Audi’s lineup for decades, and it’s standard or available on all variants of the A3 line. The A3 also offers many features found on larger luxury models, including a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The S3 and RS 3 have sports-car-challenging performance. Bear in mind, however, that the price of a fully loaded RS 3 can be about double that of a base A3.

Should I Buy the 2020 Audi A3?

If you want an Audi badge for a minimum amount of money, the A3 is a tempting proposition; it has much of the design and driving experience provided by bigger, more expensive German sedans. A cramped rear seat and some austere cabin trim detracts from the overall posh image, however.

Consumer reviews

(1 review)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability
Write a review

Most recent consumer reviews

Amazing power with great gas-mileage

Test drove this car while looking to buy a new car. It had a great luxurious feel to it when you walk in, and it came with a decent power boost. Quattro felt amazing when speeding up, passing cars and around corners. Never felt that i might loose control, even at high speed. Having the navigation/media display in the control unit (with the added technology package) is i think a must and a wonderful feature to have. Also, even though this is an automatic, i had a great response time when stepping on the gas and power on the road. If this car came in a manual, I would have purchased this car. But unfortunately in the USA this only comes with automatic.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 1 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2020 Audi S3 base trim.
Combined side rating front seat
5
Combined side rating rear seat
5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
4
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
4
Overall rating
5
Overall side crash rating
5
Risk of rollover
10.9%
Rollover rating
4
Side barrier rating
5
Side barrier rating driver
5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Audi
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
48 months/50,000 miles
Corrosion
144 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
48 months/50,000 miles
Roadside assistance
48 months/unlimited distance
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
5 model years or newer/less than 60,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
1 year or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first)
Powertrain
N/A
Dealer certification required
125-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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