Used 2022 Audi S3 for Sale nearColumbus, OH

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 in the sweet spot between the more restrained A3 and the more extreme RS 3, so you get a compact sport sedan that blends performance, comfort, luxury, and technology without feeling over the top. That makes it especially appealing if you want a spirited daily driver that still rides well and is easy to live with. The trade-offs are that power delivery has a slight delay and cargo space is limited.

47.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent amount of market opportunity if you shop carefully.

Is the 2022 Audi S3 reliable?

The 2022 Audi S3 is presented as a well-rounded, approachable performance sedan with a strong balance of comfort and capability. Its performance tuning is described as smooth and linear once underway, and the ride quality is praised as excellent for a small sedan that can still attack corners.

The expert review also notes that the car’s systems work as advertised, with no false alarms or other annoyances. On the ownership side, the S3’s maintenance and feature mix suggests a premium-car experience, and the available maintenance perk language points to a more favorable early ownership experience when that coverage applies.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-trim examples can become expensive to keep if you chase options rather than condition.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.7% — 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 tire wear, brake condition, and signs that the car has been driven hard, since this is a performance-oriented sedan. It also makes sense to verify that the technology and driver-assistance features work properly, because those systems are part of the value proposition.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim gives you a strong starting point with summer tires, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and heated front seats. The mid-grade trim adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control, while the top trim adds a head-up display and upgraded Matrix LED headlights.
• Powertrain: You get 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 car is quick and grippy, but there is a slight delay in power delivery off the line.
• Safety package: The base car includes frontal collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. The mid-grade trim adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: The cabin uses a smaller touchscreen with physical controls, a digital instrument cluster, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available upgraded Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus. A head-up display is available in the top 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 a strong equipment list with summer tires, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and heated front seats. It makes sense if you want the S3 experience without stretching too far on price.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim. It adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a wireless charging pad, and it is the trim the review recommends when paired with the S Sport package for the best balance of features and price.
• Prestige: This is the most fully equipped version, adding a head-up display and upgraded Matrix LED headlights. It suits you if you want the most premium feature set and are comfortable paying more for it.

The base trim includes frontal collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors, while the mid-grade trim adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

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

The market looks favorable if you are shopping carefully, with a meaningful share of listings priced competitively and a strong clean-inventory rate.

• Deal availability: 47.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 82 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 92.7% 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.

As of this writing, neither NHTSA nor IIHS have published crash test results for the 2022 Audi S3 or the A3 on which it is based. The expert safety score is 7/10, and the available driver-assistance systems work as advertised with no false alarms or other annoyances.

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:

• 47.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The 2022 Audi S3 stands out as a smart purchase for spirited drivers because it balances performance, comfort, luxury, and technology in a way that exceeds expectations for its class.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest blend of performance and everyday livability, the 2022 is an easy year to target. If you are more price-sensitive, focus on well-kept examples with the right options rather than chasing the newest or most heavily equipped car.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.