2026 Audi S3AudiThe 2026 Audi S3 is the smallest Audi sport sedan sold in America and sits near the lower end of the brand's luxury ladder.But "low end" in this case does not mean cheap, crude or slow. It means compact, tidy, and relatively attainable. It's the pumped-up version of the A3, the one for drivers who want a beach-town runabout with real bite under its red jacket.What's new for 2026?For 2026, Audii has simplified the S3 into one well-equipped trim instead of the former Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trims, and that's a good thing. It means more standard equipment, including the 12.3-inch digital instrument display, navigation, traffic sign recognition, Audi connect Plus and the 15-speaker Sonos audio system. The base price is $52,000 before destination, or $53,295 with destination included. Add the major packages, Nappa leather and assorted trim goodies and the car climbs toward the high-$50,000 range before taxes and dealer charges.2026 Audi S3Engine and mileagePower comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 328 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is around 23 mpg city, 31 highway and 26 combined.What's it look like?While it doesn't look exactly "ready for speed," it does look "ready to zip." It's short, clean, and properly proportioned with just enough menace in the grille, lower intakes, wheels and quad exhaust outlets to tell you this is the quicker one. In a loud color, like the red I had for its week's test, it looks positively playful.2026 Audi S3InsideInside, the cabin is compact, tight, orderly and sweetly finished. The sport seats held me well, the screens are sharp, and the driving position was excellent. Rear-seat room is what it is - acceptable for adults in short trips but really, better for bags, jackets or smaller passengers. The trunk is compact - despite the four seats, you would have a problem getting four suitcases in the back.How's the drive?The S3 brought a smile to the face instantly with its quick acceleration and strong handling. It made Los Angeles surface streets, freeway ramps and canyon detours feel like part of the same amusement park. Acceleration is strong, steering is clean and immediate, and the brakes inspire real confidence. The chassis feels planted, especially for a small sports sedan where you expect mush.2026 Audi S3Room for improvementThe shifter is tiny and weirdly unsatisfying for a car with this much bratty energy. The S3 can also be too eager to supervise, with the driver-assistance systems and safety naggins sometimes crossing from helpful into hall-monitor territory. Immobilizing the car in traffic because the seat belt is not buckled may be defensible on paper, but in real life it feels like being scolded.AdvertisementAdvertisementConclusion: Once buckled, pointed and moving, the S3 is a terrific little luxury performance sedan - small, fast, polished and just plain fun.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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