Audi A3 vs S3 – which is best?

The styling is virtually identical – especially if you pick an A3 in S Line trim – and the interior layout is totally unchanged. Mash the loud pedal, however, and the S3 makes its presence felt thanks to substantially more firepower under the bonnet.

So do you prefer the A3's all-round ability or the S3's stealthy speed? We'll compare the Audi A3 and Audi S3 here so you can pick your favourite.

Audi A3 vs S3 compared

Styling and design

Park a regular A3 in entry-level Sport trim next to an S3 and the differences are fairly obvious. However, spec your A3 to Black Edition trim and it's virtually identical to the S3. You have exactly the same body kit with the same blacked-out window trims, door mirrors and side-skirt trims. The only real giveaways are the S3's different alloy-wheel designs and its badges.

This is not necessarily a bad thing for A3 owners. It means you're getting all the style and impact of the S3 but without the extra purchase price. However, those considering the S3 might be a little disappointed that the car doesn't do more to elevate itself above the standard A3.

The S3, just like the A3, is offered in two bodyshapes. Standard models are the five-door 'Sportback' hatchback style, but you also have the choice of a slightly longer four-door saloon body.

Interior and practicality

Just like the outside, there's very little to split the A3 and S3 on the inside. That's especially true of A3s in S Line and Black Edition trim, which also get body-hugging front sports seats just like the S3. On the whole, the dashboard design, the infotainment system and the driver's dials are essentially the same on both cars – once again elevating the standard A3, but maybe feels a little disappointing in the more rarified S3.

There are very minor changes if you jump in with a fine-toothed comb. For example, the A3 in Black Edition trim gets 'twin leather' on its seats, while the S3 upgrades to Nappa leather. Elsewhere, the A3 gets cabin details in black 'Impressum woven textile' while the S3 gets black 'Dynamica microfibre' – a crucial distinction we're sure you'll agree!

Being essentially the same car with just a different engine under the bonnet, there's no real difference in practicality. The passenger compartment is exactly the same, so front occupants get lots of adjustment, and there's just enough space to squeeze an average-sized adult behind a tall front-seat passenger. Since the S3 is all-wheel drive, it has an extra differential under the boot floor to power the rear wheels, this cuts overall cargo space from 380 litres in the A3 to 325 litres in the S3.

Engines and performance

This is the most important difference between these two cars. The A3 gets a selection of conventional engines borrowed from the wider VW Group. Entry-level models use a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol that punches quite a bit above its modest size suggests and should be enough for most drivers if they're not fussed about performance.

If you cover more high-speed roads, the A3 also offers stronger 150hp engines in a choice of petrol or diesel fuel types. The latter is a great choice for high-mileage drivers, while the former is better for those covering mixed motoring. Finally, there's a 204hp plug-in-hybrid version with swift performance and more than 80 miles of electric-only range.

The A3's top-level engines all offer zippy, smooth acceleration, but none of them can hang with the S3's setup. This is a 2.0-litre turbo petrol shared with the Volkswagen Golf R, firing through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive. That's enough to launch the S3 from 0-62mph in a sports-car-worrying 4.7 seconds.

Driving

The key distinction between the A3 and S3 – what they have under their bonnets – also dramatically influences the driving experience. Few drivers will find much to complain about in the A3's road manners. Its engines might not be firecrackers, but they're smooth and responsive, making them easy to use in stop-start traffic – especially if you pick the optional S Tronic dual-clutch automatic.

Of course, the S3 is faster… much faster. Pin the throttle in the S3 and it'll push you into your seat, and very quickly hit licence-worrying speeds. There are even quicker cars out there, but the S3's all-wheel-drive grip and whip-crack gearchanges means it has shocking real-world performance. You sense it could probably keep up with serious supercars on a challenging road.

We've praised the S3 before for its versatility. Yes, it'll happily set your hair on fire, but just put the gearbox in 'D' and pick a more chilled driving mode and it calms down into a car you can use every day. However, this is where you'll notice in a side-by-side test that the S3 simply isn't as refined as the A3. Its suspension is firmer over bumps and you get much more drone from the powerful engine and fat, grippy tyres.

Value and reliability

There's a nearly £19,000 price difference between the entry-level A3 and the S3. For many drivers, no amount of engine power is going to bridge that massive price gap. Even if you pick a more comparable A3 with a bigger engine, auto gearbox and range-topping Black Edition trim, there's still a £13,000 gulf between the two cars.

In practice, there's probably not going to be much crossover between the typical A3 owner and the typical S3 owner. The latter is going to place much more importance on performance and handling, while the former is probably more interested in the Audi's style, premium cabin and high-tech infotainment system.

Reliability should be quite similar between the A3 and S3 since many parts are shared between the two vehicles. High-performance cars like the S3 can be a little more highly strung than their more conventional siblings and might need more maintenance work as a result. You should also expect to go through consumable parts like brakes and tyres faster in the S3, especially if you make use of the extra engine power. Both cars come with Audi's standard three-year warranty.

Which is best?

This depends on what you want from your car. The A3 is an excellent all-rounder, with a great balance of comfort, controllability and tech in a premium package. It's also, by far, the most affordable of the two cars here, making it accessible to more drivers.

The S3, on the other hand, has a different goal – to blend the everyday usability of the A3 with eye-opening performance. It's a lot more expensive than the standard A3, but that's the price you pay for all the S3's serious go-faster hardware.

Big savings on the four rings

Shop a choice of used Audi A3 cars and used Audi S3 cars for sale at Motorpoint. For more inspiration, check out our picks for the best German cars on sale.