Audi S3 2016 Review | TestDriveNow

[@EricAtMazda]

I love my S3! The full-LED headlight cars have much better integrated turn signals, the "eyebrows" flash orange instead of turning completely off and using an incandescent bulb separately as seen in the standard xenon bulbs in this vid.

[@FinestInstinct]

Thank you for that information! Those small details are very important to me when looking for a vehicle. I have complimented Steve, on that before. He showcases the vehicle's front/back turn signals in his videos, which I love. However, the only thing he didn't do, in this particular video was showcase the headlights. He usually does in most of his videos. Still, a 5 star quick and to the point review, yet again. Thanks again for your input on this car's led capability.

[@itssamokay]

Not the most exciting of reviews, but actually, the most accurate and instructive S3 one I've seen. Good stuff!

[@dallastimebandits]

Great review!! You looked like you were scoping a bank @3:15😹😹

[@kingstrike]

I just got 2016 one yesterday and the car performance is awesome...!!

[@ThousanWhite]

The torque vectoring is awesome. It really feels like an RWD car when you push it in corners

[@TrellSFCA]

I own an S3, when launching the car, its certainly faster than 4.7 seconds, and also the quattro engages all 4 tires. I have done a burn out while attempting to launching on a cold night. I think 4.4 seconds, according to car and driver and some videos on youtube, is closer to what it feels like for me.

[@Trades46]

I've driven this car & I love it. The DCT is quite smooth & I love the retractable multimedia screen; much better than the stuck-on IPad design that seems to be the trend these days. It is however a little rich for my tastes; $58k CDN after tax is near Q50S & ATS 3.6 money after all.

[@JMotorCity]

Particularly handsome. The car, too.

[@deusrex6230]

sus

[@khunopie9159]

Just when I was getting used to a copilot in the Test Drive Now Air Force™, Captain Hammestar flies solo again!

[@stevehammes]

+Khu NoPie Keeping you on your toes!

[@werbrown]

Great review Steve, thanks.

[@stevehammes]

+werbrown Thank you!

[@Mr335iBMW]

Great as always, Steve. From strictly a driving perspective how does it compare to the Golf R? Especially since the drivetrain is the same.

[@pjwashington5818]

I currently drive a 11 challenger srt8. I was seriously considering a cla 45 for my next vehicle. it wouldn't be a new one. A 14 or 15 model will do just fine. I want something different. I have been driving rear drive V8 cars for a while. The S3 is nice and I am sure it's a better drivers car but I like the cla better overall. it has more of a presence.

[@TheShawny6970]

great car,great review keep them coming!

[@MrRhaegar8]

this is one sweet performing ride, I only wish that I could fit in one.

[@AllThingsAviation]

love this car! so much fun to drive and so comfortable! awesome review!

[@76carmel]

When will test the new '17 of the Audi A4 and perhaps a version of the S4?

[@stevehammes]

+Billy Sou Not sure. I'm ready whenever Audi is!

[@mikee6220]

Great review. Do you ever measure cabin noise?

[@stevehammes]

I'm sorry, I don't have a decibel reading for you.

[@ddpaek]

surprised that you didn't compare this against its sibling VW Golf R which I know you tested recently. Given the choice, I would go for the R. It's $10k cheaper and much more practical as a daily driver. You'd only choose the S3 if you are absolutely anti-hatchbacks and/or anti-VW.

[@richardbuchanan7091]

+DouisMaximus and the interior is way better quality then the R. How is it more practical then the Audi S3?

[@ddpaek]

+Richard Buchanan I agree that s3 interior is better, but they only come in a sedan body. And a really small sedan at that. Backseat passengers will not be comfortable with cramped seats and the trunk space is small. Whereas the R has roomy back seats and hatchback's utility and practicality. In the end, I'll trade the small interior quality gain over everything else.

[@charbel6649]

the s3 also comes in sportback

[@davepaek5014]

Not for the US market. The only style we get is an automatic transmission in a sedan body style. Personally, I'm taking a manual with a hatchback body all day.

[@George-sy8jw]

great reviews. are you saabkyles dad?

[@stevehammes]

+George That made me laugh...and then feel REALLY old ;-)

[@George-sy8jw]

+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes it's cuz you guys are both really professional in the way you do these car reviews. I thought maybe you showed him the ropes. the kids been at it since he was like 14. I guess you would have to be in you're 50 to have a son that age. you're obviously not that old. keep up the uploads you're channel is one of the best! thanks for putting in the extra time to do these reviews the way you do.

[@scumpuppies]

George hahahahahahahha

[@WE4PONS13]

is this as good as a swift

[@sushanthr77]

Steve, what about the B&O sound system?

[@stevehammes]

+Sushanth Raghuthaman Not part of the Premium Plus trim...have to step up to Prestige.

[@Ghost921]

+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes You can always put B&O sounds system as an option for Premium Plus trim.

[@scottvilleneuve5985]

Ah, you had the correct seats in yours Steve. However, I still think the Golf R is a better car for the money.

[@pjwashington5818]

so Steve the s3 or the cla 45 amg?

[@stevehammes]

+Pj Washington Great question I pondered all week...probably the Benz. But's it's very close.

[@pjwashington5818]

Me too

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I wonder if this is SaabKyle’s dad.

[@MordFustang1966]

235i xdrive for me please. I like my hard earned money going to a platform engineered for the car, not taken from a vw golf.

[@herczeus9341]

+Mulkyan Mercedes, BMW, and the new Genesis brand (As announced by Hyundai to have unique platforms and technology) are the only real luxury players to have unique and separate platforms and technology. Toyota/Lexus, Nissian/Infiniti, Honda/Acura, and VW/Audi/Porsche all share platforms and parts in order to save money. Most consumers are only paying for badge prestige and better leather. Not really much other than that in terms of unique tech to speak of.

[@MordFustang1966]

Sapient Budgie I actually am an 2006 audi a6 owner...biggest mistake of my life...

[@MordFustang1966]

Sapient Budgie I will, and this time it's either going to be a mercedes or a bmw, not an overpriced passat they sold me last time.

[@MordFustang1966]

Sapient Budgie I dont even think I can buy an audi in the US, haha after they were caught lying ! only bmw or mercedes from now and on. I did the audi (secret vw) mistake once, never again.

[@filip3148]

+Mulkyan the golf is a better car than any US fabricate

[@jmb2027]

The S3 runs a bigger turbo and different internals -- not the same as the A3.

[@BTC909]

Not hard to figure out why Audi is doing so well.

[@Ghost921]

+Cars Life But, BMWs are too common and way unreliable than Audis.

[@Ghost921]

Cars Life I believe you are BMW fanboy because I driven three BMWs, and all those three BMWs had engine oil leak problems, hence why I said they are unreliable. And, most BMWs look the same when Audi cars does not. BMW also got recalls for your information: www.autoblog.com/2016/02/11/bmw-recall-takata-airbags/ The site you mentioned also addresses only diesel engines, not petrol engines, most people drive petrol engines in U.S. So, this is not a problem for U.S. Did I mention BMW will lower the warranty by next year from 4 years to 3 years with no free maintenance. LOL!

[@NikesZ28]

This kind of car needs a manual transmission :)

[@pjwashington5818]

The RS 3 is a whole different story

[@bledzone231]

Pj Washington Tell us the story...

[@seinsmeld13]

And it's a whole different price. My S3 was great until it got stuck in the snow. My front wheels spun with no power sent to the rear. Audi was unable to resolve the problem so this year I'll be driving in the winter with a front wheel drive car. I'm very disappointed that my dealer was unable to repair my car. Anyway.....

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

david dykeman Is it out of warranty?

[@ast5515]

It's less spacious than it's german rivals? It is a german car.

[@stevehammes]

Less spacious than the CLA and 2 Series

[@TMS5100]

not enough of an improvement over the golf r to justify the extreme price premium.

[@InvestBetter.]

The interior looks cheap as %$#@! Doesn't hide it's VW Jetta roots

[@SNR876]

Man are those seats ugly.

[@TMS5100]

not enough of an improvement over the golf r to justify the extreme price premium.

[@vh9network]

+ms3bani if you like the short mini-van look of the hatchback, then the Golf R is for you.