S3 AWD
What the S3 adds over the A3 quattro (+$11,900)
| Spec | A3 quattro | S3 |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake diameter | 306 mm | 375 mm |
| Rear brake diameter | 272 mm | 310 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | ventilated disc |
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3461 lbs | 3549 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3461 lbs | 3549 lbs |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 328 hp |
| Torque | 236 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| MPG (city) | 24 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 28 mpg | 26 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 34 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $40,100 | $52,000 |
| Overall height | 56.2 in | 55.7 in |
| Overall length | 177.3 in | 177.4 in |
| Tire size | 225/45 R17 | 225/40 R18 |
| Final drive ratio | 4.167 / 3.125 | 4.471 / 3.304 |
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 18 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.7 in | 103.6 in |
Standard here, not on the base trim: Front Brakes: 375mm (14.1") x 34mm cross drilled/ventilated, Rear Brakes: 310mm (12.2") x 22mm ventilated, Tires (Standard): 225/40 R18 92H XL all-season tires, Wheels (Standard): 18" 10-spoke star design, quattro® all-wheel drive with torque splitter
Specifications
Source: manufacturer press kitBrakes
| Front brake diameter | 375 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc |
| Rear brake diameter | 310 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electro-mechanical |
Cargo
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 8.3 cu-ft |
Dimensions Exterior
| Overall height | 55.7 in |
| Overall length | 177.4 in |
| Overall width | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.6 in |
Engine Basics
| Aspiration | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1984 cc |
| Fuel injection system | TFSI |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve |
Engine Output
| Horsepower | 328 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft |
Fuel Economy
| MPG (city) | 23 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 26 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 31 mpg |
Fuel System
| Fuel tank capacity | 14.5 gal |
Headroom
| Front headroom | 36.8 in |
| Third-row headroom | 36.6 in |
Legroom
| Front legroom | 41.2 in |
| Third-row legroom | 35.2 in |
Pricing
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $52,000 |
Seating
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 |
Shoulder Room
| Front shoulder room | 54.8 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53 in |
Steering
| Steering type | Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 36.5 ft |
Suspension
| Front suspension type | McPherson strut front axle |
| Rear suspension type | Four-link rear suspension |
Tires
| Tire size | 225/40 R18 |
Transmission
| Final drive ratio | 4.471 / 3.304 |
| Transmission speeds | 7 |
| Transmission type | 7-speed S-tronic |
Weights
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3549 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3549 lbs |
Wheels
| Wheel diameter | 18 in |
Standard & optional equipment
Source: manufacturer press kitSafety5 std · 0 opt
- Anti-Lock Braking System
- Electro-mechanical parking brake
- Front Brakes: 375mm (14.1") x 34mm cross drilled/ventilated
- Rear Brakes: 310mm (12.2") x 22mm ventilated
- Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Interior2 std · 0 opt
- Base MSRP (USD): $130,700 (RS 6 Avant performance); $73,100 (A6 allroad); $40,100 (A3 quattro); $52,000 (S3); $66,100 (RS 3)
- New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first
Exterior5 std · 4 opt
- Curb Weight (lbs): 4,916 (RS 7 performance); 4,486 (A6 allroad); 4,982 (RS 6 Avant performance); 3,461 (A3 quattro); 3,549 (S3); 3,627 (RS 3)
- Drag Coefficient (Cd.): 0.35 (RS 7 performance); 0.29 (A6 allroad); 0.36 (RS 6 Avant performance); 0.29 (A3 quattro); 0.31 (S3); 0.32 (RS 3)
- Tires (Standard): 225/40 R18 92H XL all-season tires
- Unitary steel body construction
- Wheels (Standard): 18" 10-spoke star design
- Tires (Optional): 225/40 R18 92H XL all-season optional
- Tires (Optional): 235/35 R19 91Y XL non-run flat summer optional
- Wheels (Optional): 19" 5-arm-star design, bicolor finish optional
- Wheels (Optional): 19" Multispoke-S design, bicolor finish optional
Powertrain12 std · 0 opt
- quattro® all-wheel drive
- 0-60 mph (sec): 3.3 (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 5.1 est. (A6 allroad); 6 est. (A3 quattro); 4.4 est. (S3); 3.6 est. (RS 3)
- 7-speed S-tronic® transmission and quattro® all-wheel drive
- EPA-estimated City mpg: 14 (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 21 (A6 allroad); 24 (A3 quattro); 23 (S3); 20 (RS 3)
- EPA-estimated Combined mpg: 16 (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 24 (A6 allroad); 28 (A3 quattro); 26 (S3); 23 (RS 3)
- EPA-estimated Highway mpg: 21 (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 30 (A6 allroad); 34 (A3 quattro); 31 (S3); 29 (RS 3)
- Engine Type: 4.0 TFSI®, 8 CYL (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 3.0L turbocharged V6 (A6 allroad); 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl (A3 quattro / S3); 2.5L TFSI 5 cyl (RS 3)
- Fuel Tank (gal): 19.3 (RS 7 performance / A6 allroad / RS 6 Avant performance); 14.5 (A3 quattro / S3 / RS 3)
- Horsepower (SAE): 621 hp (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 335 hp (A6 allroad); 201 hp (A3 quattro); 328 hp (S3); 394 hp (RS 3)
- Maximum torque, lb-ft: 627 (RS 7 performance / RS 6 Avant performance); 369 (A6 allroad); 236 (A3 quattro); 295 (S3); 369 (RS 3)
- Top Track Speed: 155 mph / optional 190 mph (RS 6 Avant performance); 130 mph (A6 allroad); 130 mph (A3 quattro); 155 mph (S3); 155/180 mph (RS 3)
- quattro® all-wheel drive with torque splitter
Chassis4 std · 0 opt
- Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance
- Four-link rear suspension
- Mcpherson strut front axle
- Turning Circle (ft, curb to curb): TBD (RS 7 performance); 40 (A6 allroad); 39.7 (RS 6 Avant performance); 36.5 (A3 quattro / S3); 39.4 (RS 3)
Ranked by what shoppers ask about first; standard equipment before options.
Transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit for the 2026 RS. Confirm with the window sticker for a specific unit.
The cheapest ownership win
Insurers price the 2026 RS very differently, and the gap between the best and worst quote on the same car and driver is usually larger than any option you are weighing on this page.
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Common questions about the S3
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsHow much is the 2026 Audi RS S3?
The manufacturer lists $52,000 for the 2026 Audi RS S3. That is $11,900 above the A3 quattro, the cheapest trim of the same model year. MSRP excludes destination, options, taxes and dealer charges.
What does the 2026 Audi RS S3 add over the A3 quattro?
Against the A3 quattro, 5 features become standard that the A3 quattro does not and 17 published specifications differ. Both lists are on this page, taken from the manufacturer's own press material.