carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 22 / 28 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,250 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 359 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $40,139–$51,174 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Audi S3 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.1/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 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. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.1/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sedans to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.1/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $40,139–$51,174, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Audi S3 sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Audi S3 sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 2018 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 $40,139 starting price is about 45% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Audi S3 scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.4 — and starts roughly $4,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $40,139 | |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $38,670 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.4/10 | $37,202 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $35,733 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has 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 / 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… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.