Audi S3 runs rings across the Stinger, even when it will get misplaced within the crowd

2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6 vs. 2022 Audi S3 Sedan Quattro: Battle of the “S” sports activities sedans

This week: Audi S3

Value: $55,890 as examined. The Premium Plus Bundle added adaptive cruise help and lively lane help with emergency help and extra for $2,800. Extra famous all through.

Standard knowledge: Automotive and Driver likes that it’s “sharply dressed, energetic acceleration, compliant experience,” however not the “comfortable rear seat, infotainment annoyances, pales subsequent to the VW Golf R.”

Marketer’s pitch: “You simply need to see it.”

Actuality: You simply have FIND it. (See “Wolf in sheep’s clothes,” beneath.)

What’s new: As only a faster model of the A3 — there’s additionally a 3rd 401-horsepower RS 3 mannequin, gotta attempt that — the S3 will get the all-new stuff that the redesigned A3 has gotten. To recap, that’s a brand new engine and hybrid system, greater dimensions throughout, and loads of inside upgrades that put the enjoyment again into driving.

Driver’s Seat: The rationale for the S? The S should be for “stiff,” as in stiff seats. The High-quality Nappa leather-based seats within the S3 (a part of the $1,250 High-quality Nappa Leather-based Bundle) are that a lot tougher than the A3. They’re for a extra athletic breed of driver, a more durable, harder-edge individual. They aren’t a lot for Mr. Driver’s Seat.

The cockpit is as beautiful as any Audi — easy black dashboard, engaging gauges with easy-to-make changes, nice steering wheel. However these seats can be exhausting for an extended drive.

On the street: The S can be for “stiff,” as within the stiff suspension. From the second I first moved the S3, I felt like I used to be driving a slot automobile. It likes to slalom and zig and zag, and corners generally is a actual blast.

This will have been due to the $1,950 Black Optic Bundle, which added 19-inch wheels and extra fairly exterior touches, or the S Sport Bundle, which for $1,100 added sport suspension and purple brake calipers.

In both case, the S3 solely is available in Quattro all-wheel-drive kind.

On top of things: Say you’ve been out to a neighborhood eating institution, and the service has simply been one sluggish supply after one other. What you thought can be an hourlong meal shortly changed into a two-hour foot-tapping tour. And don’t say it’s as a result of of COVID-19 staffing ranges; whenever you requested for a desk, six servers have been gathered round taking pictures the breeze on the hostess stand.

If you lastly get the examine and pay, you simply wish to hightail it dwelling, and perhaps get some aggressions out whereas doing it. The S3 is a superb automobile for that getaway. The two.0-liter four-cylinder engine will get you to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, based on C&D, 10% quicker than the Stinger. And that’s with simply 306 horsepower, a herd virtually 20 % smaller than the Kia.

The ability is there for the entire experience — nation roads, getting from 30 to 50 (and better). The one minor disadvantage to the S3 was the primary cut up second pulling from an entire cease — there was only a little bit of a lag that I couldn’t appear to beat. Maybe Mr. Driver’s Seat is spending an excessive amount of time in electrical vehicles today .

Shifty: Just like the A3, the S3 will get the lovable little shifter toggle — push ahead for reverse, pull again for Drive, Park is on a button. Handbook shifting is offered through the paddles.

The S3′s 7-speed S-Tronic transmission is way happier in shift mode; automated spent a while looking gears when the accelerator is floored.

And whenever you’re making that restaurant getaway, select shift mode and go away it in a low gear. The Audi growl via the parking zone will say every part phrases can’t (at the least not with out being instructed to not return to this nice institution, sir).

Buddies and stuff: The rear seat really has loads of house for occupants within the corners; legroom, foot room, and headroom are all fairly plentiful, not what I anticipated for the small sedan.

Cargo house is a cosy 10.9 cubic toes however the rear seat folds down for an prolonged cargo space.

Play some tunes: The Bang & Olufsen stereo sound was simply pleasant. It was a little bit echoey with the 3D sound activated, however the sound was simply sensible, an A+. (It’s a part of the $2,250 Expertise Bundle, which additionally added MMI Navigation Plus and Digital Cockpit Plus, which made the gauges so good.)

Operation is through a pleasing touchscreen, though quantity is managed by an disagreeable slidey-turney factor on the console or an disagreeable slidey button on the steering wheel, each functioning with the consistency of a roulette wheel.

Wolf in sheep’s clothes: Within the A3 overview just a few months again I discussed Son-in-Legislation 1.0 bought himself in some sizzling water by saying my beloved A3 appeared like a Jetta.

However I realized how proper he was after I exited Wegman’s one afternoon and sort of forgot the place I’d parked. Because it dawned on me roughly the place I put the intense purple S3, I observed a sedan of that colour in about the appropriate space. I walked and walked, however after I arrived, I spotted I had discovered a … purple Jetta.

My automobile was three rows over there.

So the Audi could not even have the attention catching enchantment consumers would possibly hope for.

Preserving heat and funky: Toggles management temperature, fan velocity, and site, although the black on black may be exhausting for getting old eyes to see.

Gasoline financial system: I averaged about 28 mpg despite the fact that I used to be tearing round Chester County like I used to be being chased.

The place it’s constructed: IngolStadt, Germany

The way it’s constructed: Client Experiences predicts a 3 out of 5 for the A3 reliability.

In the long run: The S3 has all the appropriate strikes and even the seating house to match the Stinger, and is surprisingly priced the identical. And also you get the Audi cache, despite the fact that it could resemble a Jetta.

Discount-hunter tip — attempt the A3. It’s virtually as quick and enjoyable, and extra snug, and saves $11,000 {dollars} as examined. And even as C&D recommended, the Golf R.