2026 Audi S3: Price, Safety & Specifications
— NHTSA, EPA, AAA, RepairPal
Among premium Sedans, the 2026 Audi S3 lands in the middle of its segment. NHTSA has no recall campaigns on file for this vehicle.
- Starting MSRP
- $52,000
- EPA Combined MPG
- 26 MPG
- Est. Annual Fuel Cost
- $2,650 per year
- EPA GHG Score
- 5 / 10
- Recalls on File
- No recalls on file
- EPA: vs Avg Vehicle
- $3,500 more over 5 yrs
- Est. Monthly Cost (with fuel)
- $1,051 per month
- Est. Cost per Mile (with fuel)
- $0.56
- Brand Origin
- Germany
Priced at $52,000, the 2026 Audi S3 is one of 37 premium Sedans. The data below covers what it costs to fuel, insure, and maintain over the miles you will actually drive.
- Fuel cost $831 per year above premium Sedans average
- Avg repair cost $233 per year above Sedan average
- Base price $3,300 more than 2025 model
2026 Audi S3 at a Glance
Published crash-test coverage is incomplete for the 2026 Audi S3. Within the currently available data, the clearest positive signals are lower estimated five-year cost and lower estimated ownership costs for its vehicle class.
- estimated 5-year cost
- ownership cost
Strengths in the data
- Best estimated five-year cost in the lineup is about $13,779 below the similar-vehicle average. Lowest cost to own 2026 →
- AAA estimates $9,956 per year in non-fuel ownership costs for the Small Sedan class, including insurance ($1,572), maintenance ($1,786), and depreciation ($3,462).
Cautions in the data
- Crash-test coverage is incomplete: NHTSA and IIHS data is not available for this model yet.
- Reliability is not a standout here: RepairPal 3.0/5.
- Fuel cost lands in the middle of its comparison group rather than standing out.
Similar vehicles to compare
NHTSA crash tests use full-width frontal and side impacts. IIHS tests include offset frontal impacts and intersection-type side crashes, which are common in real-world driving. Both results are shown below.
Strong crash test scores are reassuring, but they do not cover every component. The recall section below shows whether NHTSA or Audi has identified any issues worth correcting on vehicles already sold.
Does the 2026 Audi S3 Have Any Recalls?
NHTSA has no recall campaigns on file for the 2026 Audi S3. For context, the average Sedan has 1 recall campaigns. Recalls can be issued at any time as new issues are identified. Source: NHTSA.
No recalls on file with NHTSA
What Do 2026 Audi S3 Owners Report to NHTSA?
NHTSA complaint data is not available for the 2026 Audi S3. This does not mean there are no complaints. The model may not yet be tracked in the NHTSA database.
Source: NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. Data last refreshed 2026-04-16.
Commuting miles add up. The EPA fuel data below shows what you can expect to spend annually on the 2026 Audi S3, broken down by trim.
What Is the 2026 Audi S3 Fuel Economy?
The 2026 Audi S3 achieves up to 26 combined MPG according to EPA testing, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650. That is $831 more per year than the $1,819 average for premium Sedans. EPA estimates are based on standardized laboratory tests. Source: EPA (fueleconomy.gov).
| Trim | Combined | City | Highway | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 26 MPG | 23 | 31 | $2,650 per year |
Estimated 5-year fuel cost is $13,250 based on EPA data.
The most efficient trim ranks in the top 29% for fuel cost within its EPA vehicle class.
Commuters put the most predictable miles on a vehicle. That makes the full ownership cost, not just fuel, the number that matters most. AAA breaks it down below.
What Does the 2026 Audi S3 Cost to Own?
Estimated 5-year total ownership cost for the 2026 Audi S3 ranges from $97,350 to $97,350 depending on trim, based on AAA's Your Driving Costs study for the Small Sedan class. This includes insurance, maintenance, depreciation, registration, and financing. These are class averages, not specific to this model. Source: AAA.
| Maintenance | $1,786 per year |
|---|---|
| Insurance | $1,572 per year |
| Depreciation | $3,462 per year |
| Registration & Taxes | $613 per year |
| Financing | $854 per year |
| Total (excluding fuel) | $9,956 per year |
| Cost per mile | $0.56 per mile |
Commuters benefit most from the trim that balances fuel economy and features at the lowest total cost. The table below puts all 1 options side by side.
How Do the 2026 Audi S3 Trims Compare?
The 2026 Audi S3 is available in 1 trim, with base prices ranging at $52,000. All trims use a Gasoline powertrain. The table below compares key specifications and costs across all available trims. Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and do not include destination charges, dealer fees, taxes, or incentives.
Base
| Base MSRP | $52,000 |
|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,650 per year |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive |
| Horsepower | 328 hp |
| Est. 5-Year Cost | $97,350 |
The Audi S3 lineup has contracted from 3 trims in 2024 to 1 trims in 2026. The entry price has increased $4,600 since 2024.
New trims since 2024
added 2026
- Base
Trims no longer available
last available 2025
- Premium
- Premium Plus
- Prestige
View full trim timeline (2024–2026)
| Trim | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $47,400 26 MPG | $48,700 26 MPG | — |
| Premium Plus | $50,300 26 MPG | $51,100 26 MPG | — |
| Prestige | $54,300 26 MPG | $54,900 26 MPG | — |
| Base | — | — | $52,000 26 MPG |
You have seen what each trim costs. Now, how often does it break? RepairPal aggregates repair data from thousands of shops to answer that question.
How Reliable Is the 2026 Audi S3?
RepairPal rates the 2026 Audi S3 at 3.0 out of 5.0 for reliability, which is about average for premium Sedans. RepairPal ratings reflect repair frequency and cost data from a network of certified repair shops. Source: RepairPal.
Reliability ratings come from repair shops. Warranty terms come from Audi. Together, they give you both the historical track record and the manufacturer's commitment.
What Warranty Does the 2026 Audi S3 Come With?
Warranty coverage defines Audi's financial commitment if something fails. The terms below apply to all 2026 S3 trims. Longer powertrain coverage reflects the manufacturer's confidence in drivetrain durability.
| Basic Warranty | 4yr/50k |
|---|---|
| Powertrain Warranty | 4yr/50k |
| Corrosion Warranty | 12yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 4yr/unlimited |
What Are the 2026 Audi S3 Specs?
Technical specifications for the 2026 Audi S3 from manufacturer data. Engine size, horsepower, curb weight, and dimensions are shown for the primary configuration.
EPA vehicle class: Compact car
| Engine | 2L I4 |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 328 hp |
| Power-to-Weight | 184.8 hp per ton |
| Price per HP | $159 |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated manual |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) |
| Fuel Tank | 14.5 gal |
| Est. Range per Tank | 377 miles per tank (EPA combined) |
| Length | 177.4 in |
|---|---|
| Width | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.6 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,549 lbs |
What Changed for the 2026 Audi S3?
- Number of available trims changed
- Pricing changed across one or more trims
All data shown for the 2026 Audi S3 comes from EPA, NHTSA, IIHS, AAA, manufacturers, and selected third-party references. For a vehicle driven every day, the fuel and reliability data above matters most. Data is refreshed periodically.
Data coverage & source links
The following data categories are not yet available for the 2026 Audi S3: NHTSA has not yet published crash test results for this vehicle. IIHS has not yet tested this vehicle for crashworthiness. Learn how we collect, verify, and present vehicle data.
Verify this data
2026 Audi S3 FAQ
What vehicles compete with the 2026 Audi S3?
In the sedan segment, the closest alternatives to the 2026 Audi S3 are 2026 BMW 3 Series (starting at $48,000, 5-star NHTSA, 18-31 MPG); and 2026 Genesis G80 (starting at $58,450, 5-star NHTSA, 23 MPG); and 2026 Toyota Crown (starting at $41,440, 5-star NHTSA, 30 MPG). Each page on this site covers the same data sources so you can compare directly. Browse all 2026 Sedans.
What changed on the 2026 Audi S3 from last year?
Compared to the previous model year, 1 new trim was added, 3 trims were dropped, and the entry price increased by $4,600 for the Audi S3 lineup. See the trim evolution timeline above for full year-by-year pricing and availability details.
How much does a 2026 Audi S3 cost per month to own?
Excluding your car payment, estimated monthly costs for the 2026 Audi S3 include about $830 for insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and fees, plus roughly $221 for fuel. That puts non-payment running costs around $1,051 per month. These are estimates based on AAA class averages and EPA fuel data. Actual costs depend on your driving, location, and coverage.
Where is Audi based?
Audi's headquarters are in Germany. Assembly location varies by model and sometimes by trim. The "Brand Origin" label on this site refers to corporate headquarters, not the factory where your specific vehicle was built. See our Germany-brand cars 2026 list.
What other Audi models are available for 2026?
Audi offers multiple models for 2026. Our Audi models page lists every available Audi vehicle with safety ratings, fuel costs, and ownership data.
What does the 2026 Audi S3 cost per mile to drive?
Based on AAA ownership cost estimates and EPA fuel data, the 2026 Audi S3 costs approximately 55.9 cents per mile to operate, including fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and financing. Actual cost per mile depends on your annual mileage, driving habits, and location.
Compare to Similar Vehicles
Other Model Years
Data on this page is compiled from government agencies and independent research organizations. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, purchasing, or safety advice. Verify all data with the original source before making decisions.