Audi S3 sedan 2017 review | road test video

Richard Berry road tests and reviews the Audi S3 sedan with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read Richard's full review here: carsgui.de/2iAWv3s
See more at the CarsGuide.com.au S3 hub: carsgui.de/2iAZDg3
Check out other sports cars here: carsgui.de/26sDm5A
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This is the latest S3 sedan. It sits under the hardcore RS3 and above the very domesticated A3. It might look low key but this is little beast - Audi doesn't stick the S badge willy-nilly on its cars. Under the bonnet is a turbo charged four cylinder engine with a new 7-speed dual clutch auto transmission sending power to all four wheels.
The only not so subtle hint that the S3 is a little monster is its roar.
It's tiny. At just a bit under 4.5m it's shorter than a Mazda3 hatch which makes it a natural in cities where it can scamper through laneways and park in impossible places. But it looks almost like every other Audi - just scaled down.
It's small, but big enough - just. I can sit behind my diving position, just. And my head misses the roof - just. It's a five seater but I woudn't want to be in the middle.
The boot is pretty impressive though and it's bigger than the S3 Sportback which is the hatch version, but that said we couldn't get the carsguide pram in here, which is why it's not here.
When it arrived in late 2016 new Audi S3 looked just as understated and subtle as the previous one.
The only real exterior differences between this new S3 and the last one are the LED headlights - they've been redesigned with this jaggered edge and the front and rear bumpers have been restyled.
The new S3's indicators don't just blink, they do this.
Another giveaway that the S3 is a little bit wild is down here - quad exhaust.
There are more changes inside. Not to the seats those are the same but the new S3 has what Audi calls a Virtual Cockpit - it's excellent - the instrument cluster is all digital and it can morph from just a speedo and tacho to a display showing your satnav - it's standard on the S3.
The S3 adds other new tech such as Apply CarPlay and Android Auto, and new advanced safety equipment such as AEB with pedestrian detection.
But the best part of the S3 is driving it . The first thing I do turn that off - it's the stop/start system and it's a pain in the neck because it cuts the engine not only when you come to a stop but when you coast into stop.
Then I go into Drive Select and change the mode to Dynamic - that adds weight to the steering, changes the throttle and firms up the suspension for better handling - this S3 has the magnetic ride option basially there's particles in the oil in the dampers and they become magnetized and cause the fluid to go solid -super cool.
The engine is only 3kW more powerful than the last S3, that's not that noticeable. What is, is the transmission - the six-speed dual-clutch is gone and we now have a seven-speed, which works like a dream and makes this S3 0.2s faster than the old one.
The S3 is all-wheel drive - and that just makes the dynamic drive even better, the car will sense if things may be getting a bit touch and go and distribute the drive to give you a hand - basicvally it makes you a better driver than you really are. Which is fine by me.
What am I not as fan of? Well the sound. I know I know exhaust note is amazing, but there's a bit of sound sorcery going on - in two ways. First there's flaps in the exhaust which give it that rich growl you hear from the outside. But the sound you hear from the inside is enhanced by a resonator under the bonnet which vibrates and makes a nice noise which you can here in the cabin. Yeah OK it all sounds great, butit's a bit fake.
Also the display is feeling a bit small compared to other cars out there - and you really notice this with the reversing camera image.
But there's so much to like - the ride is cofrotable, the handling is sharp, there steering is excellent amd just small things like when my toddler sits in the back he can see out of the windows because the rear seats are higher.
The S3 is the perfect mid-point between the total madness of the RS3 and sedate A3. It means when you've stopped diving like you're on the run, you can slip back into being very civilised. It's basically a thug in a suit.
Honey, I'm home!
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[@Acid113377]

must be the best S3 review out there. I am driving this little beauty since dec. and am absolutely in love.

[@robza1]

Really good video review, it is about time we had a Australian review. Thank you.

[@carsguide]

Thanks Rob. - Richard Berry

[@keithedwards99]

This is the best s3 review I’ve seen this man is hilarious 😂 while being informative 👏🏻

[@allizan]

I remember vomiting in that alley way a few years ago when I was drunk. Memories.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I bought my 2018 S3 with the resonator delete kit, for a louder, fuller, more pleasing exhaust note.

[@herrschafts-wissen]

Very creative way to review the S3! This one almost sold the car to me. Thanks to your presenting skills. Please make more videos like this. :-)

[@itssamokay]

I just bought one 2 weeks ago and I LOVE IT!

[@matthewstevenson1415]

I think Richard should be made to do all reviews for carsguide simply fantastic!

[@civilization95]

Excellent work bro. Keep up the uniqueness.

[@AllThingsAviation]

Very nice review and fun to watch keep up the good work

[@carsguide]

Thank you. - Richard Berry

[@maxvb1]

Really really enjoyed your review! thank you :)

[@mohamedkhatib4114]

Great review this guy is a natural

[@utsav.sarkar]

best review on youtube of the S3!

[@veritasman]

Excellent Review Mannn... Greetings from Morocco

[@kerrickpenny2938]

Awesome review man!

[@carsguide]

Awww shucks, thanks dude.

[@mossy1314]

Excellent review - far better than the boring reviews other people do. Any news on the RS3 sportback? That would be a beast!

[@carsguide]

Thanks mate. The current RS3 Sportback is brutal - in a good way. I've checked with Audi to see when the facelifted version arrives but was told there's been no announcement made. - Richard Berry

[@mossy1314]

CarsGuide.com.au ok thank you. Keep up the good work

[@GTI_CHHA]

You can fully disable the interior engine sound (just set the actuator to 0%).

[@seinsmeld13]

My Canadian 2016 S3 I don't have to press age driver select button each time I start the car. It stays where is was the last time it was driven.

[@victorvandyke9898]

Great review.

[@ericzxl]

Great review!!! pretty funny as well

[@RaffaeleMcCreadie23]

Got mine a week ago! Black! What a machine :-)

[@drews3331]

what wheels are these?

[@small_lama3309]

Camera tech has really improved

[@TheSpecialneedskid]

Is this car worth getting a 2017 over a 2016?

[@viku4]

Very nice review Nicolas cage

[@RaffaeleMcCreadie23]

Can't wait..!

[@saulocorreia6070]

Very cool

[@vh9network]

It's a full second faster than the A3 2.0T Quattro sold in North America.

[@kingfisher111]

Nice... 2 questions though.. 1. Is the virtual cockpit now in A3 sedan aswell? 2. How much does S3 cost?

[@Gonzarelli]

I believe its an option in the A3

[@carsguide]

Thanks mate, and yes Gonzarelli is spot on. The virtual cockpit is an option in the A3. You can option it as part of the $2900 Technik Package which also includes MMI Navigation Plus and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddles. Here's a link to our review from the A3 launch: www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/audi-a3-2016-review-first-australian-drive-47462 The S3 currently lists for $64,500. Here's my review here: www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/audi-s3-sedan-50821 - Richard Berry

[@douglaspuglas6888]

Digital dash isn't standard!! Its called the tech pack In the UK and it's pretty pricey. Just saying:)

[@keepcarsfun]

Great review, tell a funny story and deliver all the information. Guna grab one so I can be a thug in a suit

[@some_randomninja]

I'm liking this Navy blue colour. I was set on Daytona grey but might change! anyone else with me on this??

[@robza1]

SomeRandom Nah, I'm sticking with Daytona, looks more prestige.

[@KhalifaSanto23]

SomeRandom Ara Blue bruh

[@dwylde81]

Nah mate, mine's coming in Daytona - getting built Jan 30th - can't wait!

[@joshpash3015]

Khalifa that one's is Navarra Blue

[@KhalifaSanto23]

Josh Pash i'm talking about mine

[@JULIAN71102]

How tall are you?

[@carsguide]

Hi Julian, Richard is 191cm tall.

[@JULIAN71102]

CarsGuide.com.au i noticed he is huge, if a guy as tall as him still found leg space and head space even though not a lot but still very impressive for such a small car.

[@MorePudding93]

I hate how so many reviewers sit behind their driving position yet don't say how tall they are. I mean this guy looks tall, but how tall is he?

[@carsguide]

Hi sorry Josh, I'm 191cm or 6ft 2inch. Richard Berry

[@ryanboost5062]

Does anybody know what this color is called?

[@carsguide]

Hi Ryan, The colour is Navarra Blue. It's a cost option for the S3.

[@JAHjorth85]

228kw actually (310hp)

[@noodles2010]

Why do i want to buy all the cars you review? I cant afford them all !

[@rmackrm]

How tall are you? You look as if you're over 6 feet easily. Maybe that's why you 'just' fit in the car. Great video though.

[@carsguide]

Hi Rodney, Richard comes in at 191cm, or 6ft 3' in the old money. So legroom does get a bit tight when he sits behind his driving position.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Kanye burn = Instant Thumbs Up. 🤣

[@Systolic120mmHg]

how tall is this kangaroo?

[@carsguide]

The kangaroo is 191cm tall.

[@Systolic120mmHg]

Much appreciated. I will now know not to mess with this Kangaroo.

[@tonshbenosh1115]

I ❤️it Imma buy it buy Xmas by God’s Grace

[@Optimus79Prime]

Lol,good one :)

[@nassimtahi6170]

📞

[@aaronming8466]

Faster than a 10 years old 2006' Porsche Cayman? No way an s3 is faster than a base 2017 porsche 718 Cayman in any way. Fact.

[@bryantan602]

The S3's 0-100 is 4.8s with the dual clutch and the 718 Cayman does it in 4.9s. It only does 4.7s with the Sport Chrono upgrade. Facts

[@aaronming8466]

The porsche is faster, even on a straight line, which is probably its greatest weakness. FYI, Porsche is notorious for understating all their performance claims. Even without the sports chrono, on the straight line the cayman will probably win. Not even to mention the track.... In all fairness, comparing a family sports saloon and a Porsche sportscar is certainly unfair. The new Boxster Cayman 718 S is faster than an Audi r8 v10, Aston Martin DBS or an M3 GTS around Nurburing

[@bryantan602]

i'm pretty sure nobody actually thinks the s3 is faster than a cayman around a track. it's just context and how you choose to interpret what the reviewer is saying...

[@samwalker6268]

Aaron Ming the Porsche is also twice as much as the A3. No-one in their right mind would be able to justify spending an extra $70,000 just so they can get from 0-100km/h one-third of a second quicker.

[@nassimtahi6170]

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