“Lack of Standard equipment. 50k vehicle doesn't have folding mirrors or auto dimming mirrors”
2015 Audi S3: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The big news for 2015 is the Audi S3 sedan’s U.S. debut. It arrives with 292 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, a quick-shifting six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and sport-focused suspension and brakes.
About the 2015 Audi S3
3rd-generation S3 / 8V generation, first U.S. model year and first U.S. S3 sedan.
Audi positions the S3 as a compact luxury sport sedan that blends everyday premium-car comfort with near-300-hp performance. It gives buyers the smaller footprint and upscale cabin of the A3, then adds quicker acceleration, sharper chassis tuning, and standard all-wheel-drive traction. The S3’s core appeal is that it feels fast and polished without becoming a stripped-down track car, making it a strong fit for commuting, bad-weather driving, and spirited back-road use.
The 2015 S3 is a compact sport sedan offered as Premium Plus and Prestige. Both have the same 292-hp performance hardware, heated sport seats, and selectable drive modes; Prestige adds navigation, Bang & Olufsen audio, LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and parking aids.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The U.S. S3 launches with a 292-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and standard quattro all-wheel drive on both trims.
Structural
The S3 debuts on the 8V sedan platform with a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, progressive steering, and selectable drive modes.
Styling
S3-specific details include unique front and rear bodywork, a trunk lip spoiler, distinctive mirror caps, a platinum-gray grille treatment, and four exhaust outlets.
Tech
Selectable drive modes are standard. Prestige brings the major technology upgrades, including navigation, Bang & Olufsen audio, LED headlights, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring.
2015 Audi S3 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd S Tronic | Auto, 6-Spd S Tronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | Quattro AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 292 hp | 292 hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 12.3 cu-ft | 12.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.1 in | 35.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||
| Rear View Camera | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||
| Fog Lights | ||
| Heated Mirrors | ||
| LED Headlights | ||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||
| Power Mirrors | ||
| Rear Spoiler | ||
| Bluetooth | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Satellite Radio | ||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||
| Remote Start | ||
Frequently asked questions
Is 2015 the first year of the Audi S3 in the U.S.?
Yes. The 2015 model is the first Audi S3 sedan sold in the U.S. and marks the American debut of the 8V-generation S3.
What engine and drivetrain does the 2015 Audi S3 have?
Every 2015 Audi S3 has a 292-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive.
Does the 2015 Audi S3 have a manual transmission?
No. Both 2015 S3 trims use a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; a manual transmission is not part of the U.S. lineup.
What is the difference between the 2015 S3 Premium Plus and Prestige?
Prestige has the same 292-hp powertrain and sport-focused chassis as Premium Plus, but adds navigation, Bang & Olufsen audio, full LED headlights, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring.
Was there a 2014 Audi S3 in the U.S.?
No. The U.S. S3 lineup begins with the 2015 sedan, so there is no 2014 U.S.-market S3 to compare with it.
2015 Audi S3 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2015 Audi S3.
4.4
2015 Audi S3
(115 reviews)
“I love my S3 but would love it even more if it had a stick instead of an automatic. I LOVE MY S3, I ONLY WISH IT HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST DID NOT BUY IT BECAUSE OF THAT BUT COULD NOT FIND SOMETHING SIMILAR WITH A MANUAL.”
“Glove box too small. Storage in console too small. Side storage too small. Need a Sunglass holder. Cup holder should be further back. All cups don't fit in holder”