Edmunds InsideLine: 2015 Audi S3 Sedan is a Fun, Comfortable, High Quality and Tech Loaded Sports Sedan - Should the CLA45 AMG Be Worried?

Going around turns in the 2015 Audi S3 sedan is fun regardless of the transmission. Compared to the A3, the S3 has a 25mm (0.98 inch) lower ride height, and our test car has the optional magnetic adaptive dampers, which will be offered on U.S. models in combination with a 19-inch wheel/summer tire package.

Based on our trip through the Maritime Alps, we can't see ourselves not ordering this option. Thusly equipped, the S3 feels controlled and athletic through corners, yet even in the suspension's most hard-core setting, you'd never describe the ride as brittle. Even with 235/35R19 91Y Continental ContiSportContact tires, the S3 is downright forgiving on the roads in Southern France. We'll wait and see if that transfers to Southern California.

Audi is known for its top-quality interiors, and the 2015 Audi S3 sedan's cabin lives up to that reputation and then some. Every surface in the car that you might ever have occasion to touch has a pleasing finish to it, and the fit and finish in our test cars is outstanding. You'd expect this in an $80,000 car, but in one that we expect to cost a little more than half that, it's pretty striking.

Everything looks crisp and modern, too. The flat-bottom steering wheel is small in diameter and fits nicely in hands of modest size, and the circular vents and aluminum trim are nicely executed.

If you care about tech, take note that the A3 and S3 have the most sophisticated version of Audi's MMI, which is designed to be more easily upgradable (to the point that the system's Nvidia Tegra 2 processor can be swapped out when it becomes obsolete). In addition, the car's Wi-Fi router is 4G LTE-capable, and to support that, Audi will ditch T-Mobile in favor of a yet unnamed wireless carrier with LTE coverage.

But the 2015 Audi S3 sedan is aimed at people with busier lives who favor a more balanced approach to performance. Maybe driving is fun for you, but you also expect a comfortable ride, a fantastic interior and leading-edge tech features because, well, you've got to drive to work every day. And in that case, cars like the S3 sedan and the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG make more sense.

Audi is months away from announcing pricing on the 2015 S3 sedan, but as long as it comes in a bit cheaper than the quicker CLA45 and whatever BMW comes up with next for this class, we see no reason it won't find its buyer.
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Car4Life - 11/8/2013 8:04:03 AM

+4 Boost

Nope but the A4 & S4 should be worried...

GermanNut - 11/8/2013 10:26:20 AM

-2 Boost

Car4Life, if you think buyers who are looking for a compact and sporty sedan with limited back seat space and a $35,000 optioned price (the A3 sedan) will be cannibalizing sales of a larger, roomier (in the backseat) and more expensive $40,000 when optioned A4 sedan, then I suggest you get a better understanding of Audi's product positioning because your comment clearly shows a lack of knowledge.

JRobUSC, I wouldn't say its backhanded at all. I bet when Car and Driver compares the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG to the Audi S3 sedan, the lower price will play a key role in giving the Audi S3 sedan the win over the CLA45 AMG. While I expect the CLA45 AMG to cost at least $5K more than the S3 Sedan when optioned the same, the CLA45 AMG won't be a $5K better car and will therefore lose the comparison test. I predict the A3 sedan will have better driving dynamics, better interior quality, better technology and pretty much the same performance for thousands of dollars less.

That's exactly what happened when Audi's S6 was compared to the BMW M5, and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. Not to mention, the Audi RS7 won for the same reasons over the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS3 AMG 4Matic S.

The Audi maybe 60 horsepower down on the CLA45 AMG, but the overall Audi package will be better and cost less, which will therefore give it the win.

Car4Life - 11/8/2013 11:28:19 AM

+1 Boost

LOL @GermanNut, let me help you out...most of the consumers shopping for any luxury car are not "Product Positioning Specialist"

Example 1: Girl walks into Audi dealer looking for the practical A4, sees A3 across the room for a much lower price. Her friends fit in the back and say "it looks like a slightly smaller A4 for less!" A3 Wins

Example 2: Girl walks into Benz dealer looking for the practical C Class, sees CLA across the room for a much lower price. Her friends have trouble fitting in the back and say "its sexy but not as practical as the C" C Class Wins and retains market from younger sibling

hhhh - 11/12/2013 9:59:22 AM

+1 Boost

@GermanNut, the problem is that canabalization is a two way street, because automakers since time immemorial have inched the sizes up with each 'refresh' and also more upscale amenities all as part of their strategy to 'upsell' their returning customers with what is supposedly the same nameplate.

Here's a "Same Nameplate" example: the Honda Civic [then](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/1978-1979_Honda_Civic_3-door_hatchback_01.jpg) and [now](http://www.autospies.com/images/users/iepurilah/Honda-Civic-Type-S-Fireblade-1.jpg) ... FYI, 1520 lbs has grown to 2800 lbs.

The other aspect of the automakers relentless pushing of existing products to be bigger & upscale is that they occasionally see the need to introduce a "slide under" product because they have nothing small (or inexpensive) in their lineup to offer those customers who push back.

Example 3: my wife walked back into her Audi dealership, with the presumption that she's going to be buying her third A4. Sees the A4, but notes that is has grown in size yet again ... it will be an increase in hassle in the corporate urban parking garage ... but then sees that the A3 "isn't huge" (her words). She bought the A3.


Example 4: a couple of months ago, due to a MB 'owner loyalty' promotion and that my current C is overdue for replacement, I was out shopping. I looked at the current C: it too has grown. Since the CLA is an alternative and I'm not in a hurry, I'll get back there in the next few months to look at it. As much as I've enjoyed my MB, there's other candidates on the shopping list...we'll see how the Macan looks later this month, for example, as the current C isn't available in a utilitarian hatchback (and we all know how rare nicer German hatches are in the USA).

-hh

JRobUSC - 11/8/2013 8:27:20 AM

+4 Boost

"as long as it comes in a bit cheaper than the quicker CLA45 and whatever BMW comes up with next for this class, we see no reason it won't find its buyer."

backhanded compliment ftw

germanlover - 11/8/2013 9:40:48 AM

+4 Boost

I would say wait for it ...... NO. The comment says it all, as long as it's a bit cheaper than the CLA45 it should have no reason it won't find a buyer. Checkmate. Don't get me wrong this jetta I mean s3 looks nice. But it has 60 less hp than the cla45 amg almost like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

germanlover - 11/8/2013 12:31:21 PM

+1 Boost

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Here in the states the rings don't equal the star. Yes the Audi is nice. But it will not sell the 6,000+ units the CLA sold in it's first month and a half. The problem with this A3 is just screams Jetta. As far as the comparo with the amg m and rs the Rs7 won on things that were very subjective. Looks and crap like that. I still don't get this audi interior stuff. Yes it looks nice but I've sat in a number of them including the s7. Only interior that I like is the a8 but the new s-class put's it to shame.

GermanNut - 11/8/2013 4:50:37 PM

-1 Boost

germanlover, you obviously don't have an understanding of a quality interior, hence the reason why you don't get the fact that Audi's interiors are almost always better than the competition's. Pretty much every automobile magazine has concluded that Audi's interiors are spectacular.

The CLA's strong first month sales were just built up demand that will fade away once the A3 sedan comes to market early next year. Buyers will realize the A3's interior quality and available technology is better than Mercedes-Benz's. Many people buy a Mercedes for the badge but I have a feeling a lot of them will be disappointed by the poor interior quality after the novelty of driving a Mercedes-Benz wears off.

Car4Life, no that's not what happens when a girl walks into the Audi dealer. Chances are the girl shopping for the practical A4 is older, wealthier and has a need for backseat space due to having kids and/or pets. The A3 girl is likely younger, single and does not need the extra backseat space so she buys the A3 instead of the A4.

You can't seem to figure out the fact that just because the A3 and A4 sedans look similar to each other, they can and do have different intended buyers due to the level of space and price of each.

iamdabest1 - 11/9/2013 9:17:07 PM

+2 Boost

i like it a lot, but think the cla45 looks much better..

xjug1987a - 11/11/2013 2:43:42 PM

+2 Boost

The A3 Sedan will sell for the terrific car it is and its fantastic looks, where as the CLA has a star, that's pretty much it. The A3 will not cannibalize A4 sales. Anyone who has the ability to move up to a bigger car, and has the money is likely to do so, "if that's what they want". Many buyers will buy because this is the size they prefer. Did the 1-Series cannibalize 3 Series sales?

WelcomeLexusIS - 11/11/2013 11:41:42 PM

+1 Boost

In the Washington DC area, the A4 appears to be driven mainly by single or younger married folks in their 20s - 30s. The C class and 3-series by those in their 20s and 30's as well but skewing somewhat older in that range. Rarely, if ever, do you see these entry-level luxury sedans (which are ubiquitous in this area) driven by people with kids in the back. The people with kids seem to drive E-class wagons and last generation A6 avants/5-series touring, Q7, ML, GL and X5. A3 and CLA (except S3 and CLA45) will cater mainly to singles in 20s-30s with lower income levels. I don't think the 1/2 series models will appeal to these same people because of their higher prices (due to higher level of standard performance specs, better engine options without jumping all the way to M-spec versions and the availability of convertible models). By the way, in base form, the CLA has much more to offer the driving enthusiast than the base A3. Panoramic sunroof, auto climate control and partial leather surfaces are nice but small consolation when your base engine is the 1.8 turbo.