New Audi S3 2022 review (luxury all-rounder in sedan and Sportback!)

The Audi S3 is a grown-up hot hatch, lined in nappa leather and featuring all the latest technology but in a mature package you’d be happy to pick your boss up in. Available as a popular S3 sedan or the S3 Sportback hatch, the 2022 S3 uses the MQB Evo platform and now makes more power from the 2.0T engine - up to 228kW (305 hp) in Australia. Plus, you get an exhaust that crackles and a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.
In today’s episode, Chasing Cars editor Tom Baker conducts an independent in-depth review of the 2022 Audi S3 range. The S3 competes against its cousin, the Volkswagen Golf R, plus the AMG A35 and the BMW M135i. The Audi starts at $70K.
Later, the RS3 will arrive - plus the regular A3 range too!
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More Audi content: www.chasingcars.com.au/audi/
More S3 content: www.chasingcars.com.au/audi/s3/
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Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[@22runner]

Great review mate 👍👍👍

[@johnedds2327]

Thanks Tom, great review, top car. Are they regular buttons on the steering wheel?

[@seth1455]

More drone shots please, good addition

[@julianwhitta1114]

That’s a resounding “yes!” to the idea of a rematch.

[@NZsarge1]

Ditto

[@jwazftw4200]

Beautiful cinematography of Hobart and Mt Wellington

[@NZsarge1]

The infotainment set up and interior styling real sets it apart from the Golf R nicely, both cars look good in their own way. I think you’ll find that that steering wheel is heated, all heated wheels in Audi’s are round. Price depending because I don’t drive quickly most of the time I’d prefer the S3 but I think I’d drive both it and the Golf R first to be sure, I’d forever be lusting after the S3 interior if I bought the Golf though.

[@acde9355]

Can't wait to have a drive of the new A3.

[@TheShibbybear]

Thanks for the review Tom. I recently purchased an i30 N Sedan, as I wanted a Sedan or hatch which was a drivers car; fun and engaging to drive. Although you seemed to enjoy and praise the S3 for driving dynamics, I didn’t see you having any ‘fun’ in this video. Would the i30n Sedan still be the choice for a fun, engaging drive?

[@Senninha1960]

The black pack makes sense on some colours depending on the desired contrast to the paint IMO. These S3s are so good that they are almost boring, until you sell one, then you appreciate how perfect they perform daily duties including red light battles and hitting twisties.

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Nice review Tom. How about a comparison between the MQB cousins A3, Golf and Octavia. Thanks. Lloyd

[@warrenkinnear8177]

Time for that 3 way comparative test to be update Tom

[@coops111s]

I have the new sportback and it’s a superb car, I like the looks of the sedan too but it doesn’t have a rear wiper, I had the lone of one and I don’t like it, it’s worth every penny 👍

[@avuazahc1966]

One thing I hate about this car is that it comes to South Africa 🇿🇦 detuned to 213kw unlike full fat 228kw yet Golf R is available in full power of 235kw

[@clintonlee7837]

Simon, Passat R Line wagon v Audi S3. I love the refinement & space of the Passat wagon. At the time of Passat review, you felt this was the best VW product in the market. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@quadcoreQ]

the round capacitive steering wheel is something new I learn

[@haviiithelegogunner907]

I had a 2018 S3 sedan as a company car for 2 years. Superb car. I got the new RS3 now - even better ;)

[@robbtrix1]

Damn what job is that?

[@bryans2790]

S3 is way too small and crammed

[@stardustbilermam1736]

Where are the Maserati sedans I been asking for?

[@porsche308]

Really like both Audi S3 and Lexus NX F sport …….. which one would you go for

[@erickanguyen4582]

INQUIRY : does the cutie come with the car too?

[@dimsoneill]

Tom just needs a bow tie to complete the geek look. Nice car, Knocklofty and summit Rd shredder.

[@scottedwards948]

We had a 2016 S3 great car all round but have recently sold it .. $70k though for the new one plus on roads an options before a deal is just way too high … must be trying to make up for the diesel gate losses ..

[@gojo5265]

Hi Tom, im planning to buy an A3 35TFSI sedan 2022 as a first car, apart from the mechanics is everything else pretty similar to the S3? Also loved the video!!

[@damo5701]

A few features are not available at all and some other features will need to be optioned on. You should check out the Audi website, it has a breakdown of specs across the A3/S3 range. Obviously the 35TFSI, being fwd, will not drive anything like the S3.

[@gojo5265]

@@damo5701 sure, thanks for the reply!

[@Clove_Parma]

Keep in mind that at least initially, Audi is only advertising A3 40TFSI for sedan on their site. Sportback has 35-40TFSI. Might be worth double checking whether the 35 is coming to the sedan body type

[@coops111s]

It’s worth noting that you only get leather seats on the S3 other cars it’s FAKE 😳

[@gojo5265]

@@Clove_Parma the Audi website is letting me build an A3 35TFSI though

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

Compare yes . But is it better than the previous generation.

[@Jarrad42]

I have been very patiently waiting for your review of this car! I actually have one on order, as well as an i30n Fastback, and I am torn down the middle and don't know which one to follow through with. What are your thoughts on this? Forget about money and badges and status etc, just thinking about the feel, drive, and experience in the car.

[@chasingcars]

i30 Fastback N is more raw - hard-working LSD, loud exhaust, very stiff and stable. The S3 is a little more laidback - quieter, more comfortable ride - but the chassis is just excellent and there is zero doubt that the Audi has better tech. Probably worth considering Golf R which will split the difference between them.

[@andrewcaltabiano5780]

Superb all round car! Test drove one and is great all round package compared to the A35 which has terrible seats and tech is behind Audi's system in my opinion and better daily car than a Golf R and easier interior too live with. I think the S3 gives us the best of both worlds in luxury and dynamic driving in this segment. Doesn't get the credit it deserves I think. Ordered mine and can't wait to get it.

[@stealthhtm23]

agreed. I have a 21’ CLA and the seats are horrible!!! do love the ambient lighting tho. can’t wait for my 23’ S3 with the upgraded Nappa leather seats w red stitching as shown in this vid 👌

[@jordanhughes3137]

How would you guys compare the S3 to the CLA 35/A35? I’m torn between the two and recently have edged toward the S3. It looks more subtle but the interior is on the same level as Merc, performance seems slightly better and it just seems a bit more aggressive.

[@maxnewts]

I’m not sure whether you Aussies get the 1.0 tfsi base model, but even that one is a fairly nice car to drive. Audi have really stepped up the build quality recently, and it pays off wisely.

[@chasingcars]

The smallest engine we get is the 1.5 TFSI

[@Clove_Parma]

1.0 is probably too gutless for Australia where we have single highways stretching thousands of km through the country. Surely 1.0 would pair nicely with an electric motor for a plug in model around city though!

[@maxnewts]

Couldn’t agree more!! They don’t even have to modify much either as they can use the battery out into the gte/tfsi-e/cupra hybrid and just create a new motor unit to attach to the 1.0 car. Here that VAG? CONSUMER DEMAND RIGHT HERE!!

[@maxnewts]

@@chasingcars still, you probably are able to see what I mean with just that car too :)

[@MaxxKoggen]

The sedan's boot may not be as tall but it is bigger than that of the sportback. It's deeper.

[@Mexxx65]

Top 3 comment. Podium. Think Tom already knows, I have a soft spot for the old Audi S3 Convertible..goooooooooone forever!

[@pradeepmagan6951]

Prefer the older version as require proper dials for aircon

[@vsboy2577]

Probably the only car you ever need.

[@tillsy23]

Hard choice between S3 and Golf R now

[@drwhotardis]

The two years before COVID, (2018 / 2019) everything was normal. We now have emerged from two years of mayhem to find car pricing anything but normal. It's now 2022 and we're trying to get back to our dare I say normal lives but car pricing seems to have surged ahead to 2026 pricing and beyond. "With a bit of a mind flip You're there in the time slip And nothing can ever be the same" "Let's (NOT) do the time warp again!"

[@ronaldov09]

For the drive away price you could get into a 2017-18 RS3 with low kms...that's a tough decision

[@Rocketed12]

88 comments here and not a single mention of THE ONE thing which makes the Golf R special - Torque vectoring, which is a game changer. People buy the Golf R because it has torque vectoring, not because the seats are a nice colour or because there's lots of boot space. Latest Audi S3 is essentially the previous model's chassis, except being lowered by 15mm. So it's a front drive car until wheel slip is detected. Same as previous Golf R 7's. The new Golf R chassis is very similar to new RS3

[@EastWood2004]

Where did you get this idea? All new Audi S3, golf ,Octavia and Cupra use MQB evo platform.

[@samr3431]

Basically 80-82k to get one on the road with no options ticked is a lot of coin for a small sedan/hatch. It's probably best in class, but the price increase over cheaper FWD rivals is a hard pill to swallow, you can get a lot done with the 25k+ you'd save going for an i30n of Focus ST.. or even the 15k for a 128ti/GTI if you want a german car.

[@chasingcars]

Lot more standard equipment than an unoptioned Golf GTI or 128ti, though, which makes up much of the price difference side by side - nappa leather, power adjustment, premium audio, AWD, adaptive dampers, etc

[@livingthedream1164]

70k?You pricing is a bit off in this climate, drive away price is around 82k to over 90k and one hell of a waiting list if you want special options.

[@chasingcars]

No, the price stated is accurate. Given this is a national video we don’t provide state based on road prices as these differ all around Australia

[@robertmitev1202]

Absolutely love the Audi, but I still think and feel that the BMW interiors are the bench mark for integration and tactilness in this segment.

[@Feral2k4]

S3 looks way too expensive but it's cheaper than the craappy R The R completes standard quarter mile in 12.8 at best This s3 takes only 12.6

[@patersul]

S3 is better than Golf R.All day,everyday

[@Feral2k4]

Yea I agree

[@fale892]

Ths rear airvent design cheapens the look from the rear

[@jr800w]

I don't believe this model comes with the superior torque vectoring AWD system equipped in the new Golf R.

[@chasingcars]

No, I said that a few times - it gets an upgraded Haldex AWD system with the ability to send 100% of engine torque to the rear axle as a whole - but not the Golf R / RS3 twin-clutch AWD system that can send 50% of engine torque to a single rear wheel (enabling drift mode)

[@recursion.]

12:30 + 12:40 does anyone know this location?

[@nikserof2183]

I could be wrong, but having just returned from Hobart, it looks like the drive up to Mount Wellington, Hobart (Pinnacle Road). 3:25 Sullivan's Cove, 3:29 Hobart, on the display. 12:14 "Tasmania".

[@recursion.]

@@nikserof2183 Wow thanks heaps man.

[@pukavita]

Oh no... I did not expect that! When you tapped the screen at 3:34 the screen flexed which probably means it is made of some cheap scratchable perplex/plastic. Ummm... all of a sudden I don't feel like handing a bucket of cash to Audi. Over $80k driveaway price (in WA) is too much for a luxury vehicle made of cheap plastic.

[@Zeratul199]

Talking about the styling, how about those fake vents everywhere.

[@chasingcars]

Won't be everybody's cup of tea, but I've seen worse fake vent-ery!

[@Zeratul199]

@@chasingcars once the Golf R is out and you can do the follow up test driving video, will you make some commentary comparing the two? Considering its cheaper and seems to have better performance on paper, the Golf R looks like a clear winner to me. But I imagine the Audi will probably have a slightly nicer interior / infotainment

[@KenanTurkiye]

The 4th gen looks so much better.

[@chasingcars]

Loved the design of the 4th gen, but styling is subjective of course

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@chasingcars Of course. 👍

[@dreaminofthedrive5343]

Over $500 for an average service. That's one expensive oil and filter change.

[@chasingcars]

The average figure is distorted by the pricey fourth-year/60,000km service, which is when the dual-clutch auto and Haldex receive close attention

[@mesuttasdemir4618]

jesus! 70k for a Compact HB

[@scollyutube]

Don't look at EV pricing then 😉

[@samr3431]

Try 80k driveaway. The 70k is before ORC.

[@hsv215i]

interior looks a bit plain from that driving camera angle. Its just a sea of grey plastic.

[@murraysampson2501]

$70k+? No.

[@toka.lifeworld868]

The car preferred by real estate agents.

[@tonyw3250]

More like 90k for a good optioned S3

[@chasingcars]

Not really. With every single option including some odd ones (bar special individual paint) you can only get it to $89,300 DA - most people will opt for the standard car with the premium plus package, which is about $83k in the hatch or $86k in the sedan

[@tonyw3250]

@@chasingcars I'm a S3 owner and was contemplating upgrading, but my mate that put an order in for a new one at 88k has now just been told by Audi Australia that the price is now 92k, but that still didn't include the 360 degree camera that he originally ordered. He is now contemplating cancelling, apparently Audi have small print in the pre purchase contract that the price is subject to Covid Tax - I mean change

[@andrekelly8456]

Maybe it’s just me but these golf cars are not appealing to me. I would never drive one, but that’s just me

[@chasingcars]

Each to their own - there’s a car for everybody

[@GARRYEASTON]

The interior feels cheap and looks cheap not the usual Audi standard. The golf will always be more enjoyable to drive!!

[@gene978]

$52K USD for a Compact Sedan. I’ll take 2 Corolla Hatchback for $25K

[@stephenhunt6673]

Obviously not a driving enthusiast if you would buy 2 xToyota Corollas over this. Apart from the Supra, Toyota make the most boring cars on the planet.

[@istiklalcaddesi]

Or 4 mg 3s? 😄

[@OjaysAdventures]

Obligatory "FIRST!" post.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks for watching!

[@hobo1704]

Front end is hidious

[@Marco-eg6ls]

Does not look very good, looks like an economical car

[@karlmartin3321]

It’s way over priced.