2020 Audi S3 Saloon - The sweet spot of Power, Price and Looks !

[@mytrung]

Even a year later this is one of the few reviews that speaks to the rs3 vs s3 argument. I think the power is the RS is nice but I honestly feel liek the s3 would be enough for me and most

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@TheMore4less]

Having had a golf R, BMW m135i and now an A35 AMG , 300 odd horsepower and four wheel drive is definitely where it’s at with UK weather and roads..adjustable suspension is a must…..

[@toobahjon]

I've had a '16 S3 in the States for about 2 years and love it. I feel like Audi tried too hard to "modernize" the 2020 model. The older style gear selector, as you mentioned, is so much nicer, and I think the number of fake and/or oversized grills has gone overboard.

[@lordyacht]

imo it’s a great car and my favourite Audi out now.

[@brianbelmont4100]

I have a 15 and so love it. I’m very disappointed in the revision. To fussy exterior and interior looks cheap and disconnected. What will I go to next. I’ll just keep my 15 S3 until the new BMW 2 series coupe comes out

[@xaviersariceable]

Once you drive it you'll fall in love... the ne one is everything the old one needed... it fast and stealthy...

[@DarkHelmet1976]

Agree about the fake vents, but I'm always confused by complaints about the gear selector. Why wouldn't someone prefer a smaller stalk that's less obtrusive?

[@LOUCABRASI]

@@xaviersariceable the old one was fast as well. I love the ilder look better myself, especially the front.

[@pauln0371]

By far and away the best looking small saloon. Perfect size for our narrow roads too.

[@sh5581]

Agree the stuck on screen dash setup is awful but the previous version actually had a screen that automatically concealed itself in the dash when the car was switched off. That was neat, and no awful touch screen in sight!

[@lewisdallas3895]

Love the new Audi’s, ordered a Navarra Blue S4 which is coming in March

[@maarten9844]

When did you order it? Z😜

[@lewisdallas3895]

@@maarten9844 your not going to believe this but it was October! Still awaiting confirmed build week but currently got a slot in week 16! Anticipation is building not sure I can wait till May!!! 😋

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Did the Europeans specify a year........

[@waynewilliams5434]

Lovely colour . Ive just bought the RS4 2020 in that colour . Turbo blue

[@Account1746]

Can’t go wrong with the s3 saloon, all round winner

[@PetrolPed]

Indeed 👍

[@robertnightingale4101]

Nice small Audi, great colour.

[@benmalo8720]

Love the colour, but I think I’d prefer the fastback, for the kids, dog etc.

[@carllynch8798]

I had the first generation S3 back in 2003 !!

[@MiniEggs1999]

Totally with you. The best car I will never buy. Certainly with the previous gen there is a perfectness to the proportion that very few cars manage. Looks like it was designed by one man rather than corporate committee.

[@SavingSalvage]

I’ve always had the Sportback variant of the S3, but I went for the new saloon S3, looks better than the Sportback IMO.

[@JonesThePhysics]

Stop reading KZbin comments and get that RS4 engine built up 😏

[@SavingSalvage]

@@JonesThePhysics 😂

[@coops111s]

@@SavingSalvage I’m still waiting for S3 😩

[@johnforbes4795]

I enjoyed your perspective on the Audi S3 Saloon. Honestly, I wish the U.S. imported the S3 Hatchback, but I agree, the S3 is a looker. Unfortunately, about a month ago, an apparently distracted driver tried to enter the passenger door on my 2016 VW Golf R with a large GMC Yukon SUV. The passenger comparted held up well, but my insurance company totaled the car and gave me a reasonable settlement, which I used to purchase a year-end 2023 Audi S3. Here in the States, the dealers were asking a $15,000 premium over MSRP for the 2024 AND the 2023 VW Golf R's they had in inventory. Meanwhile, the Audi dealer gave me a very nice deal on the December closeout sale of the S3, a fairly loaded Premium Plus model with a much nicer interior than the Golf R, the S3 has the adaptable suspension AND a no-cord ability for Apple Car Play. I will miss the 6-speed manual of my Golf R, but I love the S3 and my wife REALLY loves it.

[@richardpiper4828]

Totally agree with your assessment and thinking. Beautiful car and a more sensible choice over the A4/A5 for most. I was toying with a TT as I love the styling and size but a big requirement for me is a panoramic sunroof which bridges the gap between a coupe and a roadster. I like to be able to take in the sun 365 days a year. S3 really quite a good albeit not obvious alternative. Much prefer the look of the saloon to the Sportback.

[@jb1schoolofmotoring]

Shwmae!! I agree with the gear selector. Very odd design . A great car, loving the blue colour too!!!

[@remiandrepedersen868]

about a 100hp more, so maybe, but the quadrifoglio will be one that is always hard to beat, for saloon cars!

[@NandoCamek]

looks nice, but heard that the steering has no feedback, or rather numb? can it have park assist allowing the car to park in a narrow garage?

[@edwardstewart298]

Really enjoyed the footage of driving along the twisty welsh roads, think the split screen method was very effective also

[@jonhenderson]

Interestingly the peak power and torque figures of this are very similar to the Audi RS2 from 25 years ago.

[@DINGOKIS]

I can't wait until March, I bought a new 2021 Audi A3 Limousine 35 TFSI in Python Yellow with the Business and Evolution packets. Will be my first car since I'm only 22yo, I'm currently driving my mom's 2007 Fiat Bravo so imagine how huge of a quality jump will it be

[@evildiesel7850]

Spot on with your comment on the Matrix lights - a bit meh if you live and drive in metropolitan areas but a game changer in the boonies. What the RS gives over the S is the overall drama - at least with the pre OPF cars. Not just performance (which is wild) but the noise! It turns us all into animals!

[@CoopersSpecC]

Your S4 when I'm manual mode will up shift at the red line, both my b9 do.

[@Lotus.F]

I agree with you for about 12k more for the RS is a bit too much plus we are not in Germany so you can't really use all that power anyway. The S is good enough for most people, I love the aesthetics of the exterior design.

[@raybrock6083]

Nice to see an Audi back on the channel Mr Ped!

[@brumsgrub8633]

At the moment audi are doing the best interior on cars I reckon

[@marktolley3582]

Love the new design

[@fireblade9299]

You can’t spec the S3 with the matrix headlights unless you pay for the vourspung. The B&O is also not available anymore! They have now replaced it with the sonas

[@lawrencegatt4515]

thanks for a great year 2020 happy Christmas . to u and your team .

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Lawrence. And the same to you 👍

[@Chris-jt4ux]

Nice video Ped - recently sold my 6& S3 Saloon for the same reason you shifted the S4., drove one like this a few weeks ago. Nice car, but they've taken a step back imho. Not as exciting, not as high quality interior. Just felt like a let down. The fact that they gave the Golf R more power is beyond me.

[@minilite7184]

trouble with all auto/manual boxes is that the computer always overrides the driver ! And in a BMW , the 8 speed gearbox, lovely silky smooth as an auto, gives you v. little engine breaking as you drop down the box - Fab Blue colour that S3- just like my mates old s4 until it got nicked!

[@UKRYKERRIDER]

Hi Pete, I am no expert in film production but I think this one shows that you’ve upped your game, brilliant and well done sir! Seasons greetings to you all

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Brian 🙏🏻

[@paulmead8438]

Lovely car . Have a great weekend all,

[@coltoncleveringa8004]

I’ll try and you to!

[@HQBProductions]

Peter...you are right...the best looking Audi so far and the colour is perfect. Compare that car with something from the 1990”s and it is a spaceship...these days there are too many people spoilt with PCP funded choice...that car is superb value. I like it and I don’t like ALL a Audi”s...the gloomy Q5 and dumpy Q3 and well off my list! Now..remember I have a number plate that no Audi enthusiast should be without..TT51TTS....never used as I never bought one. Stay safe...wear sunscreen, wash weekly..😀😀😀😀

[@Jasonrm92]

Great review as always :) My previous car was a 2017 S3 Saloon and it was perfect for me to use as a daily driver to work. It had all the tools and plenty power. Quattro always helps especially when you live in Scotland and it rains daily! Only reason I got rid of it was I purchased a Porsche Cayman. I genuinely think the Saloons are perfect - not too big not too small.

[@stephenpeacock2627]

Agreed, still have my 2017 rs3 saloon, love the sounds and looks in ara blue. Wife’s s3 saloon is great and more power than you need 99% of the time.

[@GamingCornerYT]

Could I please ask a question regarding seating position (Great review) I’m 6’1 and struggle to get comfy in my 2014 sportback s3 Should I sit furthest away to get my legs more straight or a little closer (which means my legs are floating) ? Also do you sit in the lowest position? And use the leg extension? it just feels like the brake pedal is to high also, and the steering wheel doesn’t come out far enough so feel I’m stretching. Really struggle to get comfy and struggle with sciatica due to driving unfortunately

[@PetrolPed]

I always have the seat as low as possible. For me it’s more important to have the steering wheel nice and close even if that means my legs are slightly bent 👍

[@GamingCornerYT]

@@PetrolPed thanks for the reply! I just end up diving and moving my seat position every few miles which rather annoying (mainly annoys the gf!) my right leg seems to feel tight, I’ll keep trying it.. maybe the seats feels like your sat on the seat a little and not in it them The only other option is something higher up like a Q3/5 or X3/5 which would probably be a better position

[@buzbygolf]

Lovely the colour, as you said to pay up to £50 000 for the rs when that s3 seems to be doing a adequate job !😊👍

[@xaviersariceable]

Your engin will last longer which is a good thing...10 on of 10 for the changes...

[@nigelk780]

Totally agree s audis are where it’s at as perfect road cars. I have a saloon sline a3 previous shape as I prefer the interior. I’ve had two s3 and the first one remains one of my best cars owned.

[@Amit_l92]

Liking the new S3. Great car 👌

[@sevesellors2831]

Great looking car prefer it to the sports hatch. Wonderful review .

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@t105x104]

I drove an S3 after an RS3. If it had have been the other way around, I may have bought the S3.

[@nickjh1968]

Great review Pete. The only thing I don't understand is why the new S3 produces less power than the new Golf R, bizarre and to my mind the new model should be producing at least 350 ps. S3s are remarkable cars no question, I've had mine a year and a half now and never cease to be amazed by it's effortless capability.

[@megwhalley4566]

I own the new S3 8Y in the Sportback version, however mine does have wireless CarPlay. I thought it was the same throughout all the news S3s as it’s not an optional extra

[@timmartin7468]

Evening everyone. 👋 Thanks Ped, great review based on a real world test rather than an afternoon taster. Shout out to Audi for supporting the channel. Mevagissey looks a picture.

[@johns14a]

Not really into booted versions of hatchbacks but it seems ok. Sat in a new S3 last week as it happens and it felt cheap, not what I would expect of an Audi at all considering the price...

[@ajb08]

Great review, love the format, looks an awesome car. That gear selector is terrible !! Every car review should be done on Welsh roads. Keep up the fantastic content.

[@nick16652]

Don’t know why, but this s3 is growing on me.

[@id70b40]

Really enjoyed the new video format. I much prefer the S3 sedan styling over the hatch..... it’s a shame they don’t make an avant S3

[@richardsheldon7473]

Awesome vlog pete,stay safe,

[@Scott555ish]

Great review as ever Pete. Tempted to look at the previous gen Black edition in Sepang blue in Tunbridge now 🤔

[@grahamwest1079]

Not an Audi fan except rally Quattro. Always interested in your reviews whatever the car though. Good news for Perez today.

[@TechFromYorkshire]

Seats look great. I have the new A3 in Sport trim (built Feb 2021) and the seats are really unsupportive so would only recommend S-line models or above! But it does have wireless CarPlay 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Not wireless 😢

[@TechFromYorkshire]

@@PetrolPed mine does but it was built this year. Earlier models don’t for some reason!

[@adrianadams9317]

Hi Ped: Great video, another quality vehicle from Audi, colour amazing but would agree with your comments on the central console and gear stick, it doesn’t look right. Having said that, great car with a quality brand.

[@libertywalkm3333]

10/10 - Fantastic Review!

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@coltoncleveringa8004]

Great review Sir Pete! That color is awesome! The thumb nail pic is nice. What a cool little blue car.

[@wilko51]

Great review. Seriously tempted by the new S3

[@PetrolPed]

It’s a great car 👌

[@keithchambrs1505]

Nice colour

[@rabola55]

Agree I want the sportback for practicality but the saloon looks better. I have a 2017 A3 2.0 TFSI, very nice car but I'm thinking of swapping to an S3, either a new one or a low mileage 2017 to 2019, there's a new daytona grey sportback S3 at a dealer nearby...

[@PetrolPed]

Go take a look and be prepared to buy 😜😂

[@JohnErlebach]

I think your review is spot on, great design, great size, lovely to see the 'stuck on iPad' has gone (hate that idea), but as for that gear lever, what were they thinking?? Very nice video, thank you.

[@victorvandyke9898]

I have a 2018 in Ara Blue Crystal Effect! The prettiest blue of all. I also have an APR Stage II flash with a downpipe and carbon intake. On all weather tires and on bad roads I have managed a (Dragy) 0-60 of 3.7 seconds. On a proper track and tires, (tyres) I think she'll do a 3.5 sec 0-60. Yeah, near 400 hp and 400 ft lbs. My biggest gripe was getting the sports seats for $1400 and they deleted the power option that you get with the standard seats!

[@crphoto303]

Sounds great! A perfect daily driver right there.

[@andreww501]

No despute i love the look of the saloon and would love to own , but when you open that tiny little boot i am thinking maybe not !! you may find it ok especially if you came from a tt but i have a skoda superb hatchback , now can you see where i am coming from ... i would like to think those rear seats fold down , i know from my audi a6 i owned that its standard in them all. then when i went out in a 540 bmw i asked how you fold the seats down and he said its an extra !! which i still cant believe , would of been nice if they made the back of it like the skoda or my other favourite looking cars vw arteon . so it looks like a boot but is in face a hatchback ? i always think its a win win situation having the looks of a saloon and versatility of a hatch ...

[@davidsomething4867]

Personally prefer the look of the S3 Saloon the new A3 looks better from rear angles but I still prefer the Saloon. I have a 2019 Cupra Hatch DSG at the moment and I am with you on the auto stick, seems too different in this version, if they went more for a updated look like a BMW it would look better and what is wrong with nudging a gear stick into Manual. With the previous DSG you could override the Auto briefly by flicking the paddles but I find in the Cupra it will be smart and hold in the manual mode when I am going down hill then change when appropriate. The DSG box is a good gearbox though but as you additionally say that it should let you bounce of the rev limiter at least in the sportier driving modes that's what the rev limiter is there for.

[@MrLeonidas123]

Excellent review! Just wondering for a passenger about 6 ft 2 could they be somewhat comfortable in the back seat for a shorter road trip?

[@nickname1812]

That was a good review. Very balanced and answered all the issues a daily driver would raise.

[@dominicr4740]

I do think it’s the better choice on looks over the sportback.

[@GenaF]

MY very first car, a Mini 1000 was quite a similar shade of blue but a fraction darker. The Audi looks very nice although I have never really been into them and apart from the classic Quattro's I have no idea which model is which. All I know is they are well out of my price range. Edit: I just heard you say the price of that one and you've floored me. I didn't think anything of Audi's was under £50k WOW 🤩

[@jackhurn6858]

Really enjoyed the new edit style for this video! Can imagine there was a lot of pre-planning involved, but it came out really well ☺️ Great review too! 👌🏼

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for the feedback Jack. There was indeed a lot of planning 😂

[@johnbrown3951]

Another great review. If I was to change my Disco or JCW the only car I would consider would be an Audi with Quattro but which one is the question. Thanks for the real world honest assesment.

[@dinky448]

I Will consider this one

[@filipepaninho6558]

Looks very good... but is still a saloon! S3 is really a perfect sweetspot! Loved my 1998 A3 1.8T Sport ;)

[@pipmeister2103]

Love an Audi. My choice of car whilst serving in Germany (apart from the odd BMW) you could also use the full power over there. Nice care & upload as per 👍🏻

[@nigelcresswell3630]

Hi Pete nice car I wouldn’t say no to one.

[@SkyBlueJim222]

Pete you forgot to do a 0-60mph test . My old TTS said 4.6 but it’s 4.4 in real life. Would have been interested to see this with the new emissions stuff on it tested. Love the colour 👍

[@markkenton8420]

Great sounding engine 👍

[@darrenball1775]

Nice colour, nice car! I can see how driving the S8 around Megavissy would make you feel a touch twitchy!!!!

[@davidperry3531]

Nice review and a good looking sedan but there are a couple of things. The interior shot showing the painted interior door trims makes the car look cheap. I had wondered about the new small gear shifter and now I know you can't knock it over into manual mode and shift with the central lever - not good. That piano black surround will also look rubbish in a very short time. Audi have gone backwards with interior quality compared to the previous 8V model which was really classy.The interior of the BMW 135i and the fact that you can have a proper manual change is a game changer for me.

[@alasdairwilson4806]

Nice car and a really good review.Actually managed to watch and comment within the two hour time slot this week.Amazing.

[@nigeljames1109]

Another Audi fan boy here. I have a B5 RS4 and an SQ5. Great channel Pete !

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@nickvlaanderen]

Good review Pete of a very nice Audi, on a public road you need nothing more. Till 2015 i had a Audi A4 convertible with the 3 liter V6 engine, bought it used and i liked the build quality. The road holding was not sporty at all, it was build for comfort. Perfect for long distance and cruising on B roads in sunny wheather. We traded it in for a 2015 F56 JCW. I would like to see a big review of the BMW 128 ti. You have good connections with BMW/Mini, so can we expect you to test the 128ti? Many greetings from Holland ! :)

[@lorrainebeckett281]

Great shot in Mevagissey ! Really good that you could cover such a range of roads for the review . Lovely looking car apart from the gears as you said , looked both fun & comfortable on those long drives. Loved the colour too !

[@richardpotts5003]

Good video. Car looks like an electric car especially the wheels.

[@jameslynch6657]

It pops in blue!

[@BMW7series251]

Hi Pete, love the Audi. Great review as usual.

[@andybarton6055]

Very nice car Pete, especially the colour. I liked your comment about the older you get the smaller car suits you. That explains at 63 I am riding around on an electric bike, whats next a pram.

[@philipparkes5079]

Hi Ped Great review as always. You may have transferred your allegiance to Mini but you are still an Audi fan. Have to agree with most of your comments, great value car, dash now as it should be. Colour I prefer Navarro Blue, but that is personal. Well done my friend.👏👏

[@carllamb6711]

Hi Pete Great video mate. As you know I love Audi I’d love my SQ7 in that colour 👍👍👍👍👍

[@rubyandrenaetheminiatureda6988]

Good honest and comprehensive review as always Pete 👍👌.

[@britishminiclub]

Very brave driving around Mevagissey harbour but what a stunning thumbnail 👍. We do like an Audi and defo agree that as you get older we tend to prefer a smaller car. Be interesting to see how the fuel economy compares with your Clubman

[@gingerbarry3831]

Almost Christmas 🎄 🥂🥳....great colour and lovely shape, better than the hatch

[@darrenhyde7742]

Good honest review...do like the A3/S3 saloon, reminds me of the old S4 b7 for size...new ones are just getting to big now imo.

[@TIM612826]

Nice to see Mevagissey again. This lock down sucks. Im gonna miss spanking my golf r for a while now!!! Great content as always mate 👍

[@jerrycansmashit9965]

Great content as always In 2021 you said e.v was on the cards I think you'll get an s3 and never regret...the infrastructure is going to dissapoint you all the time with the miles you put down on the road.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Brings back memories of Mevva from years and years ago. As for your "thumbnail. At least the bollard was in focus ;-))... I always think that saloon versions of hatches are nicer looking. If not as practical. I trust that you were not going to Mevagissey via the bridge into Wales. :-))... Unless you've found some portal??!! :-//... Nice to see that Audi have put the central display integrated into the dashboard, rather than on top like an afterthought. Looks loads better there.

[@PetrolPed]

The car was meant to be in soft focus. It’s arty 😂

[@octaneparker6200]

Better colour than the last Audi

[@GRfourfun]

Late to the post party but as ever I loved your review. The car, i just don’t think the styling is very nice although I know it will drive and feel amazing less the gear selector lol. Am I getting old 🤷🏼‍♂️😉

[@Pwwh0711]

Just been looking at getting a RS 6 but they're £100+k with requisite options which would put a Titanic type hole in my bank accounts as I always buy my cars outright...so now I'm probably going to get a 2020 S6. But this looks a nice option too...hmmm, I think the S6's interior just clinches it for me. I'm definitely keeping my F-Type 400 Sport though despite my gf always asking why I need two cars - she doesn't moan about it so much when she borrows it, though. 😁

[@vince-qb6su]

I want one NOW

[@WilliamStevens007]

Glorious colour.