Audi S3

£26,065 - £28,605

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Audi S3 11/20

It’s a definite ‘Q’ car. But so is a Golf GTI, and that’s a billion times cheaper

Our verdict

That’s £27k basic for a hot hatch. The Audi S3 is good, but is it that much better than the equivalent Golf R32?

Comfort

Relatively spacious cabin and decent quality make this a comfy car, though the suspension definitely feels of a more sporting bent than lesser A3s, so if you need to do distance, steer clear of bumpy roads (ie, drive in another country).

11 out of 20

Performance

The S3 provides a 261bhp shove courtesy of a highly-tuned TFSI four-cylinder motor with the same basic bits as the Golf GTI, instead of a more traditional V6. You get 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and a limited 155mph, which are respectable figures, but the S3 loses the noise of a V6 and can suffer from turbo lag because of the state of tune.

18 out of 20

Cool

Neither cool nor uncool. It just is.

8 out of 20

Quality

Well built in a very anonymous fashion.

15 out of 20

Handling

Quattro security and some fine fettling by the Audi boffins mean the S3 is one of the best country lane attack weapons for the UK, even if it does get a bit woolly when you really start to go quickly. Rides pretty well, but the trade off is a lack of absolute precision. The steering could have more feel if we're being picky.

10 out of 20

Practicality

The boot's average for this sector at 350 litres (a Focus ST comes in at 385), and it'll seat four in relative comfort, five for short distances. It is a hatch though, and the seats fold, so day-to-day it's a practical bit of kit.

12 out of 20

Running costs

Expensive to buy at £27k, but residuals are solid. High Group 18 insurance means that it's not bought by boy racers, but even though it's a fast hatch, think premium saloon running costs.

5 out of 20

TG Tips

Buy a Golf R32 with a lovely V6. Better yet a Golf GTI and have a holiday on the savings

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