Audi S3 Sportback 2020 Review

Mid-way between the plain old Audi A3 and its fiery RS 3 performance sibling lies a devilishly cool hot hatch that’s also about to be replaced.

It might date back to 2013, but the Audi S3 Sportback still hold plenty of appeal for your sense of logic and exclusivity, rather than just demanding the attention of your eyeballs.

The Audi S3 hatch goes about business with little fuss, and without looking like a hot wheels toy or, ahem… a Honda Civic Type R.

Underneath it’s really just a (more expensive) Volkswagen Golf R, begging the very valid question: should you buy a Golf R and take a European vacation? Well, that ultimately comes down to one’s taste… or perception of luxury.

The current model is also about to be replaced with the all-new fourth-generation A3/S3 Sportback, which is set to hit Aussie showrooms later this year – so run-out models could be worth waiting for.

The Audi S3 range is available in three body styles – Sportback (which we’re testing here), Sedan and Cabriolet – ranging in price from $64,200 (plus ORCs) up to $73,400 (plus ORCs) in drop-top form.

Our test car’s price is $65,600 before on-road costs, thanks to some extra equipment we’ll mention in a bit.

Audi covers the S3 with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and three years of roadside assistance, which is on par with BMW, but not Mercedes-Benz any more.

As for maintenance, the S3’s service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km and will cost $1850 for the first three years and $2390 over five years with an Audi Service Plan (upfront cost).

Given the Audi S3 Sportback doesn’t have a tonne of rear seat space, it’s best suited to singles, couples or a small family with young kids. There’s enough head and leg room for adults, although a full set of passengers will get squishy in the back.

Two cup-holders up front are big enough to hold keep cups, and the door trims each gets their own cup-holder, but if you like space you’ll quickly notice the S3’s storage solutions (or lack thereof).

A lidded centre console, for example, fits little more than an iPhone, so you’ll need to keep items like gum, hand sanitiser and tissues in your hand/man-bag. Oh, the first world problems…

Thankfully, the boot’s (a little) more forgiving with 340 litres of cargo space, which extends to 1180 litres once the rear seats are folded. But, at the end of the day, no one’s buying an S3 Sportback for its outstanding ability to store their driving knick-knacks.

Certain touches around the cabin really make you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth – in particular, the fold-away infotainment screen and circular air-vents that twist open/close add an element of class.

That said, the trim at the sides of the steering wheel (at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions) is perforated, making it the perfect place for things like make-up and dirt to gather if you’re a bit of a grub.

Standard Audi S3 Sportback features include 19-inch alloy wheels, S design brake callipers, quad exhaust tips, LED headlights with daytime running and turning lights, heated side mirrors and more.

Heated and leather-appointed S seats up front are finished in Audi’s diamond-stitching, which is another classy touch – and the rear seats get the same quilted look.

Tech-wise, it’s fitted with a neat 7.0-inch fold-away infotainment screen controlled by a rotary dial behind the gearstick and includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, digital radio and Audi connect with Wi-Fi hotspot and Google services (with a data plan).

The S3 also gets Audi’s virtual cockpit, so you’re able to customise the digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster to suit you.

Our tester was fitted with the optional Assistance package ($1000) which includes hill hold assist, emergency assist and traffic jam assist, as well as a black exterior styling pack ($400) to add gloss black detailing to the mirrors, bumpers and side windows.

A five-star ANCAP safety rating is thanks to seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), high beam assist, blind spot monitoring, reverse camera, rear cross traffic alert and more.

And, if you ever come across a flat tyre, the S3 Sportback has a space-saver spare in the boot.

Although it’s not neck-snappingly quick off the line, the Audi S3 Sportback produces a decent enough prod to impress with 213kW/380Nm at the ready and short, sharp gear changes to match.

The S3 is an excellent choice for everyday driveability, and the nimble little hatch is a breeze to get around in.

On average roads with bumps and cracks, it can seem a little rigid and harsh – even in comfort mode – making it feel much more at home on clean tarmac.

And when you hit that smooth stuff, pop it into the dynamic drive mode and shuffle around using the shift paddles for ultimate pleasure.

In its sportiest mode, the S3 also lets out cheeky little ‘farts’ when you’re asking for its full potential during upshifts, although it’s worth noting the noise you hear is artificial, not a bi-modal exhaust.

The seven-speed S tronic transmission can be a bit jerky at low speeds but shifts seamlessly – no matter whether you’re shifting manually or letting the car do its own thing.

And the 2.0-litre four-pot turbo its paired to has oodles of torque for a small machine like this. When a biturbo V8-powered SQ7 lines you up at a set of lights, you can take comfort in knowing that you could (just) outrun it over the 0-100km/h sprint – theoretically speaking, of course.

The S3’s idle-stop system turns the engine back on quickly enough from standstill, but not quite quick enough to leave it switched on all the time, which kinda defeats the purpose (lower fuel consumption).

When darkness approaches, the standard LED headlights do a good job, but if you’re a seasoned night-time driver, the optional Matrix LEDs might be worth the extra cash.

Inside the cabin there’s a classy and refined cockpit, with controls positioned perfectly for the driver. Oddly though, the front seats are controlled by manual crank handles (aside from electric lumbar support).

Matching the S3’s conservative exterior, the rest of the dark interior is relatively bland, making it the perfect sleeper for those that like performance cars without shouting it from the rooftop.

If you’re after an accomplished and refined hot hatch that doesn’t really look like one, the Audi S3 Sportback should be at the top of your new-car shopping list.

Parked alongside an $8300-cheaper Golf R, however, the S3 hatch becomes a little more difficult to justify.

But if you get a good run-out deal and your shopping list specifies something that’s ‘small, fast, classy and good-looking’ and “makes me look like I’ve got my s*&% together”, you’ll need to look no further.

How much does the 2020 Audi S3 Sportback cost?
Price: $65,800 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, all-wheel drive
Output: 213W/380Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2013)