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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S6) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 23 / 31 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,150 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 340 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $37,202–$44,419 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2016 Audi S3 earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.2/10, while Reliability at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.2/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.0/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.2/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a sedan you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.9/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $37,202–$44,419, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Audi S3 sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Audi S3, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and reliability scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Audi S3 ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $37,202 starting price is about 34% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $50k →
Across the S3 model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $50,418 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $50,418 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $48,950 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $47,481 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $46,013 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $44,544 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $43,076 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $41,607 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $40,139 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $38,670 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $37,202 | |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $35,733 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification 19/06/2019 · 19V474000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 22/03/2021 · 21V198000 | 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… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 27/07/2022 · 22V543000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 Audi S3's reliability 6.2/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 48% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Audi S3 starts at $37,202 and ranges up to $44,419 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.