“Its fun and fast, but still gets pretty decent gas mileage. Has enough storage for some production equipment if you put the seats down.”
2017 Audi S3: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2017 Audi S3’s biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh that sharpens its look and modernizes its safety and cabin tech. This is the key update year of the 2015–2020 generation, not a full redesign.
About the 2017 Audi S3
3rd generation S3 sedan for the U.S. market (8V, 2015-2020), mid-cycle refresh year.
Audi positions the S3 as a small luxury sport sedan that blends serious pace with everyday comfort. It takes the A3’s tidy size and upscale cabin, then adds much stronger power, standard all-wheel drive, sharper steering, firmer sport hardware, and more aggressive S-model styling. For most buyers, the S3 is the sweet spot between a normal compact luxury sedan and a harder-edged performance car: quick, polished, and easy to live with year-round.
Premium Plus is the core S3, with a 292-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, quattro all-wheel drive, heated sport seats, full LED lighting, and smartphone integration. Prestige keeps the same performance hardware but adds a digital instrument cluster, navigation, upgraded audio, and more driver-assistance features.
What changed, by category
Styling
Audi redesigned the front end and updated the lighting signatures. Full LED headlights became standard on Premium Plus, and both trims have LED taillights with sweeping rear turn signals. Alloy wheels shifted from standard to optional equipment across the lineup.
Safety
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking became standard across the lineup. Prestige also gained rear cross-traffic alert and standard automatic high beams as part of its expanded driver-assistance equipment.
Tech
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard on both trims. Prestige also gained the newer digital instrument cluster and navigation setup.
2017 Audi S3 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0L |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd S Tronic | Auto, 6-Spd S Tronic |
| Drivetrain | Quattro AWD | Quattro AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 292 hp | 292 hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 10 cu-ft | 10 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.1 in | 35.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||
| Alarm System | ||
| Automatic High Beams | ||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||
| Rear View Camera | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||
| Fog Lights | ||
| LED Headlights | ||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||
| Rear Spoiler | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Satellite Radio | ||
| Smartphone Interface | ||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||
| Remote Start | ||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Audi S3 a full redesign?
No. The 2017 S3 is a mid-cycle refresh of the generation introduced for 2015. It has updated styling, lighting, safety equipment, and cabin tech, but retains the same basic platform and performance formula.
Does the 2017 Audi S3 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard on both 2017 S3 trims and work through the car’s central screen and USB connection.
What safety equipment became standard on the 2017 Audi S3?
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking became standard across the 2017 S3 lineup. Prestige also has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance.
Did the 2017 Audi S3 get a new engine?
No. The 2017 S3 retained its 292-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive.
How do the 2017 Audi S3 Premium Plus and Prestige trims differ?
Prestige adds the major cabin-tech and driver-assistance upgrades. Its highlights include a digital instrument cluster, navigation, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
2017 Audi S3 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Audi S3.
4.5
2017 Audi S3
(60 reviews)
“Poor man's mid-life crisis. Ride of Porsche at half the cost. But much more practical than Golf R”
“The Audi S3 is the culmination of all of the project cars I have had mixed with some added maturity, refinement and higher expectations. Top that all of with OEM reliability and the car connects with your soul. You will not walk away from it without turning back to sneak a glance.”