DecodedCars2020 Audi S3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- Sedan Tfsi Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 176 in
- Curb weight
- 3,450 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Audi S3 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,450 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29 highway), 9% better than the 2020 subcompact car average of 22.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 S3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 S3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan Tfsi Quattro | 176 in | 70.9 in | 54.7 in | 103.5 in | 61 / 60.2 in | 3,450 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | +9% | $3,300 | 358 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi S3 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.9% |
Similar 2020 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi S3 (this car) | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 330 mi | ★★★★★ | 21 |
| 2020 Audi A3 | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Audi A5 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Mar 22, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
Not every 2020 Audi S3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Audi S3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Audi S3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 S3 | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 S3 | 27 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 7 | 2 |
| 2019 S3 | 25 | 176 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 S3 | 25 | 176 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 5 |
| 2017 S3 | 24 | 176 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2016 S3 | 26 | 176 in | Not rated | 3 | 14 |
| 2015 S3 | 26 | 176 in | Not rated | 2 | 53 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →