Used 2022 Audi S3 for Sale near New Jersey

Is the 2022 Audi S3 a good car?

The 2022 Audi S3 earns an 7.67/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Performance, Form and function, and Technology.

It lands in a useful middle ground between the more restrained A3 and the more extreme RS 3, which makes it a strong fit if you want a compact sport sedan that still feels polished and livable. The expert review highlights its blend of performance, comfort, luxury, and technology, along with fun driving manners and great ride quality.

Trade-offs: it can have a slight delay in power delivery, cargo space is limited, and the price can climb quickly in higher trims.

If you want a small sedan that feels more special than its entry-level positioning suggests, the S3 makes a compelling case. Good and great deals account for 34.4% of listings, so there is some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Audi S3 reliable?

The 2022 Audi S3 is presented as a well-rounded compact sport sedan with a strong balance of performance and everyday comfort. The expert review says it is easy to drive, smooth once underway, and backed by plenty of sound insulation that helps keep road and wind noise down.

Its power delivery is described as smooth and linear, and the transmission gear ratios do a good job of keeping power available when you need it. The review also notes that the systems work as advertised, with no false alarms or other annoyances.

For maintenance, the cost-effectiveness notes do not add a special service perk. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-trim examples can become expensive to keep satisfying if options push the price too close to faster alternatives.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, since a clean listing does not replace documentation. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, brakes, tires, and any option-heavy equipment. Because the S3 can get expensive in higher trims, condition matters as much as mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim includes summer tires, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and heated front seats. The mid-grade trim adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a wireless charging pad, while the top trim adds a head-up display and upgraded Matrix LED headlights.
• Powertrain: It uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine 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 smooth, linear power delivery, strong grip, and a slight delay off the line.
• Safety package: The base trim comes with 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 digital cockpit through an optional package.
• 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 for extras.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim. It adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and a wireless charging pad, which makes it the smartest balance of features and price.
• Prestige: This trim is for you if you want the most upscale presentation, including a head-up display and upgraded Matrix LED headlights. It is the most feature-rich choice, but the price climbs enough that value-conscious shoppers may prefer the Premium Plus.

The safety package expands meaningfully as you move up the range, with the mid-grade trim adding several driver-assistance features that are not standard on the base model.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile examples.

• Deal availability: 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 93 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 89.2% 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 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.

The safety suite is solid, and the systems are described as working as advertised with no false alarms or other annoyances. The main caveat is that crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS were not published at the time of the review.

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:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• The expert review says the all-new S3 delivers an optimal blend of performance, comfort, luxury, and technology, and makes for a smart purchase for spirited drivers.

The bottom line: The 2022 S3 is the right pick if you want the newest version of this compact sport sedan’s balanced formula and you value its mix of speed, refinement, and tech. If you are more price-sensitive, you should focus on well-kept examples and be especially selective about trim and options, since higher-spec versions can push the value equation in the wrong direction.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.