Used 2022 Audi S3 for Sale near California

Is the 2022 Audi S3 a good car?

The 2022 Audi S3 earns a 7.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Performance, Form and function, and Technology.

It sits between the more restrained A3 and the more extreme RS 3, so you get a compact sport sedan that aims to balance performance, comfort, luxury, and technology. That makes it a strong fit if you want something lively and upscale without jumping to the most aggressive end of the lineup.

The trade-offs are clear: there can be a slight delay in power delivery, and cargo space is limited. Even so, the S3’s fun-to-drive character, great ride quality, and easy-to-use technology make it appealing for spirited driving with everyday usability.

With 42.9% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market offers a decent amount of value if you shop carefully.

Is the 2022 Audi S3 reliable?

The 2022 Audi S3 is presented as a well-rounded small luxury sport sedan, with the review emphasizing smooth, linear power delivery once you’re moving and a drivetrain that’s easy to live with day to day. The performance notes also point to strong grip, confident handling, and a ride that stays composed over rough pavement, which are all encouraging signs for long-term usability.

Its technology is also described as intuitive and easy to use, with physical controls retained for basic functions to reduce distraction. That kind of straightforward cabin design can help ownership feel less fussy over time.

The dependability takeaway is that you should expect a sophisticated performance car that rewards regular maintenance and careful inspection, especially because its dual-clutch behavior and higher-performance hardware can make neglected examples more expensive to own.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Audi S3?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on cars with options or higher mileage. Focus on overall condition, signs of hard driving, and whether the car’s equipment and maintenance history match the asking price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premium trim includes summer tires, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and heated front seats. The Premium Plus adds more convenience and driver-assistance equipment, while the Prestige brings the most upscale equipment.
• Powertrain: The S3 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive. The review notes a slight delay in power delivery off the line, but strong grip and smooth, linear power once underway.
• Safety package: The base car includes frontal collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Premium Plus adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: You get a smaller touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus is available with the Technology package, and a head-up display is available on the Prestige trim.
• Fuel efficiency: The S3 is estimated at 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Which 2022 Audi S3 trim should I buy?

The 2022 Audi S3 is offered in 3 trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige.

Here's the short version:

• Premium: This is the entry point, and it already gives you the core S3 experience with summer tires, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and heated front seats. It makes sense if you want the least expensive way into the model, but it leaves out some of the more useful driver-assistance upgrades.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim. It adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a wireless charging pad, making it the sweet spot for shoppers who want the strongest mix of features and price.
• Prestige: This is the most upscale version, adding a head-up display and upgraded Matrix LED headlights. It suits you if you want the most equipment and are willing to pay for it.

The base trim is light on some driver-assistance features, while Premium Plus adds the most meaningful safety and convenience upgrades.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Audi S3?

The market looks favorable if you’re shopping for a used 2022 Audi S3, especially if you’re willing to compare listings carefully and move quickly on well-priced examples.

• Deal availability: 42.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 91 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.4% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2022 Audi S3 safe?

The base S3 comes standard with frontal collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Stepping up to the mid-grade Premium Plus trim adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

As of this writing, neither NHTSA nor IIHS has published crash test results for the 2022 Audi S3. That means you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the trim you choose, since the base car leaves some useful driver-assistance features for higher trims.

Should I buy a 2022 Audi S3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

• 42.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The 2022 Audi S3 stands out as a compact sport sedan that delivers a lot of performance in a small package, while still aiming to balance performance, comfort, luxury, and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the S3’s blend of speed, refinement, and everyday usability, the 2022 is a strong choice. If you’re shopping mainly on price, you can also use the healthy deal share and strong accident-free rate to focus on the best-conditioned examples rather than stretching for a newer or more expensive alternative.

How does the 2022 Audi S3 compare to the 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.