What are the differences between the Audi A3 and S3?

[JesseMarie]

The differences between the Audi A3 and S3 are: 1. Different engines: The Audi A3 is equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, with both the cylinder head and block made of aluminum alloy; the Audi S3 is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, with the cylinder head made of aluminum alloy and the block made of cast iron. 2. Different tire specifications: The Audi A3 has tire specifications of 225/45R17; the Audi S3 has tire specifications of 225/40R18. 3. Different body widths: The Audi A3 is 1815mm wide; the Audi S3 is 1816mm wide. 4. Different body heights: The Audi A3 is 1458mm tall; the Audi S3 is 1438mm tall.

[EmmaLynn]

When helping a friend choose a car before, I carefully compared the Audi A3 and S3. The A3 is an entry-level luxury sedan, equipped with a 1.4T or 2.0T engine, which is sufficient for city commuting and offers good fuel economy. The S3 is completely different—it's a proper hot hatch with a high-power 2.0T engine producing 310 horsepower, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, and its exhaust roar is particularly thrilling. The most noticeable difference when driving is the S3's quattro all-wheel drive, which provides stronger grip in corners, whereas the A3 tends to understeer in sharp turns. There's a significant price difference, with the S3 costing over 100,000 RMB more, but it comes with performance features like sport seats, red brake calipers, and metal pedals. For daily commuting, the A3 is more cost-effective, but if you want performance, the S3 is the way to go.

[JohnLee]

As someone who frequently drives both models, the most noticeable difference lies in their positioning. The A3 is like a refined white-collar worker, featuring a virtual cockpit with a floating screen, 30-color ambient lighting options, and offers a comfortable ride with light steering. The S3, on the other hand, is a complete hothead—its chassis is 20% stiffer, making bumps over speed strips quite jarring, but the support is excellent. The most easily overlooked difference is the braking system: the S3 uses opposed four-piston calipers that don’t fade even under repeated hard braking, while the A3’s brakes start to soften after just two laps on the track. Most A3 buyers opt for white or black, whereas S3 owners tend to favor bold colors like Nardo Gray or metallic Legend Red. It all comes down to whether you want a comfortable daily driver or a performance toy.

[LaJack]

After test driving two cars last week, here are the three key differences in a nutshell: In terms of power, the S3 delivers 100 more horsepower than the A3, offering a much stronger acceleration push. Handling-wise, the S3 comes with a sport differential, making high-speed lane changes as stable as a rail car. Visually, the S3 features standard silver mirrors and quad exhausts, while the A3 has hidden exhausts. Their tuning potential also differs—the A3 has limited gains from a simple ECU flash, whereas the S3 can extract an extra 50 horsepower just with an intake upgrade. My take? If the budget allows, go straight for the S3 without regrets.