Is This Car The BEST Daily? (Audi S3 Sportback 2023 Review)

Should you buy the new Audi S3 Sportback? This premium hot hatch is related to the Volkswagen Golf GTI and R and competes with the AMG A35 and BMW M135i. Is the Audi best?
We review a lot of hot hatches. Here are a few more vids to watch next:
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AMG A35: • Mercedes-AMG A35 2020 ...
Cupra Leon Hybrid: • This Hybrid Hot Hatch ...
The Audi S3 Sportback uses a 228kW (305 hp) 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine and an AWD system. It’s a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic only and costs about $79,000 driveaway in Australia.
As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the Audi S3.
Time codes:
0:00 - Intro to the Audi S3
1:23 - Interior & Tech
4:45 - Back Seats
6:00 - Boot
7:40 - Running Costs
8:43 - Driving the S3
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[@madrx2]

I just got back from an early morning thrash in my s3 from Melbourne-Reefton-Lake Mountain-Marysville and home. It's a 2018 Model with 18inch wheels 265mm Pilot Sport 5's and a stage 2 tune. They are the ultimate wet weather twisties car. Soooooo much fun. I'd love to take the new model for a run soon.

[@gerardmeyer2118]

you got me convinced. S3 my next car.

[@aksahdev01]

Great car, fond of the S3. BTW what happened to Ponch and John? And possible u guys can do a review on the S60? TY

[@malcolmscott4150]

Love the S3 great car and looking like best VAG hot hatch although the Cupra Leon VZx very tempting with its blue leather 😍

[@chasingcars]

Really like the dynamics of the Leon though it's not a premium product per se, more sporty mainstream

[@westietech6275]

I’ve just taken delivery of a 2024 TFSIe. Must say, I’m massively impressed with the comfort and style. Coming from a B8 Passat, the A3 is leagues ahead on quality.

[@Molzy12484]

Amazing car

[@Stevegrande1]

Do they have a head up display ?

[@Luci151085]

7:17 my 2021 german S3 has a spare tier, it was an extra option.

[@Australiano87]

Prime time….Sunday night(nice wine &pizza), Audi review with the legend TOM BACKER!

[@andrewcaltabiano5780]

Great all round car blend of comfort and power! Much better daily than a golf R which insanely over inflated price wise at the moment. Seen them advertised for 90k

[@chasingcars]

True - you'd need to consider the S3 if you were in the market for a Golf R - just a shame the Audi didn't pick up the tricky diff from the Golf/RS3

[@andrewcaltabiano5780]

True but it's still a good system for everyday driving! Can't wait for my hatch too arrive in December

[@nchia]

Very nice.

[@chasingcars]

Thank you

[@JitsythePM]

What is the difference between this model and the one you reviewed back in March. Also can you get a popup towbar as an option?

[@chasingcars]

In March I mainly concentrated on, and drove, the sedan - whereas this is the sportback. Not sure about the towbar, but I don't think so.

[@SegerGiesbers]

Full circle hahaha. Your smile after making that pun 😂😂

[@slavstojnic7279]

Yeah if that wasn’t obviously cheeky side of Tom lol YOU LEGEND TOM 😅

[@chasingcars]

Heh!

[@stephenhunt6673]

My wife's next car. 😉. She got a prev gen A3 with the 1.8T, and she loves it,but when it comes time to update, I'll try steer her towards the S3.

[@42degrees86]

How does it compare to the Formentor VZX for engagement and chassis balance?

[@chasingcars]

Totally unflappable - maybe 10 percent more stable than the Formentor but the Cupra has a more playful, loose chassis when you're pushing on. Horses for courses.

[@42degrees86]

@@chasingcars thanks. That's the impression I got and the reason I'm going for the Formentor. Plus the styling of course.

[@Arrwmkr]

What will happen when the fancy screens eventually die? Will you be able to drive the car? This is a legitimate question as I see things like speed and fuel are on these lovely screens but electrics do fail.

[@MrjavoiThe]

Yeah that would be in like 20 years, and probably you can just replace them lol.

[@kiwi90ss]

Is a towbar an option Tom? Struggling to find a performance car which can take a bike rack!

[@jhref]

S3 with roof racks is a great look

[@chasingcars]

I'd recommend going the roof rails option (but that means no sunroof now)

[@scollyutube]

Both this and Golf R get a bit pricey with Cupra Formentor now in the mix.

[@chasingcars]

True, though the Formentor doesn't feel quite as solid as either of them, though is great to drive too

[@MrjavoiThe]

The S3 better built and feels more premium, also looks better than the formentor to me.

[@Account1746]

I’d say S4 is perfect, or stage 1 a4 45tfsi, power and bit more space

[@chasingcars]

S4 also a nice ride.

[@slavstojnic7279]

Thanks for the awesome review you legend Tom Baker! You gave me a good chuckle to the FULL CIRCLE Pun! Lol

[@chasingcars]

Thanks!

[@samcas707]

Not sure you can call anything with lower quality rear door trims than the fronts, like a budget econo car, premium

[@manchboy8005]

I paid $87,500 fully optioned S3 Sedan August 2022.

[@chasingcars]

Not that bad for fully optioned, I guess, given they're about $79K DA for no options

[@Peter.S96]

I get myself a Audi S3 8V sportback, but I will upgrade the air filter and other components of the engine for more performance :)

[@ahh1180]

Hey Tom I’m 6’4 would it be too small ?

[@iamColaboy]

Same size here, I've got the previous generation and I fit perfectly. No complaints.

[@virtual-adam]

Yellow really suits the car. Usually don't like the black pack, but on that color its great.

[@becayebalde3820]

Audis are the best!!!!

[@tomthompson7400]

no ,,, the engines just dont seem to stick being used ,, like most performance audis , come to think of it , like most audis full stop.

[@jhref]

That colour is excellent

[@chasingcars]

Agreed!

[@tectonic6724]

definitely not $70k. Audi were quoting me between $85-90k for a Sportsback with a roof a few months ago

[@chasingcars]

It’s $79K driveaway in NSW with no options.

[@brianfallon2607]

It would be a hot hatch if it were a 3 door. 5 door hatches are just small estates.

[@chasingcars]

Not sure that’s the standard anymore.

[@luciussander8217]

What a load of crap you're talking. If it has a hatchback, it's a hatchback. You'd call a Golf R an estate 🤣

[@leagueoflolmoments6176]

lol, this guy doesnt know you can adjust the height of the steering wheel? like on most cars these days?? so weird

[@chasingcars]

Huh?

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

Get the new RS3, as I did. You'll be a lot happier and mine's got a flat bottom steering wheel, not that thing from a bus. Must however call you out on the B&O, as it is really poor. It's nowhere near as good as what was in the previous car. Did you actually listen to it? I don't don't think you did. Also, the drive select is glitchy in the new car, not just mine, many owners are having issues. Audi are apparently working on a software fix. We shall see. At least the horrible pop-up screen has gone, but the black plastic trim is a fingerprint magnet in the new car.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

GLA45 - 381hp. And it’s a Mercedes. Job done - incredible daily.

[@chasingcars]

The GLA45 is $50,000 more expensive than this car.

[@TheRealSteveEllis]

Different car type so irrelevant comment

[@michalkowalik89]

rs3 is better in this segment

[@luciussander8217]

No flat bottom steering wheel. My new RS3 has one.

[@jspanga]

No 0-100 times?

[@stuartferguson7947]

I can’t stop seeing the cars paint colour on the inside of the door, Isn’t this supposed to be a premium car; even my Toyota is better finished than that.

[@chasingcars]

True - that is a bug bear for some

[@juldg6852]

No panoramic sunroof with roof rails so nope

[@chasingcars]

True - shame they removed that attractive rails/roof combination - it was possible on the previous generation

[@juldg6852]

@@chasingcars yep and worse than that, there is neither combination sunroof with trailer hitch, so there is no way to pull AND/OR carry stuff on (bike, snowbard, paddle…) huge fail

[@recursion.]

This or model 3 long range, anyone?

[@recursion.]

0:34 10:43

[@nosutv2893]

air vents near steering wheel is hairdryer ? hahaha sorry this is ugly

[@Thrillhouse911]

Like your teeth mate

[@chasingcars]

Some will like that design, others will not. It's subjective

[@Lotus.F]

Yes, but not in this ugly yellow.

[@lflyr6287]

Hyundai i30-N 2017 = 2.0 Turbo 285 HP = boot space 395 L = starts at 36000 EUROS = SUPERIOR CAR Audi S3 Sportback 2023 = 2.0 Turbo 306 HP = boot space 325 L = stats at 58000 EUROS = inferior car

[@benmboard]

Quattro