Engine and mileage

Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 328 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is around 23 mpg city, 31 highway and 26 combined.

What’s it look like?

While it doesn’t look exactly “ready for speed,” it does look “ready to zip.” It’s short, clean, and properly proportioned with just enough menace in the grille, lower intakes, wheels and quad exhaust outlets to tell you this is the quicker one. In a loud color, like the red I had for its week’s test, it looks positively playful.

Inside

Inside, the cabin is compact, tight, orderly and sweetly finished. The sport seats held me well, the screens are sharp, and the driving position was excellent. Rear-seat room is what it is - acceptable for adults in short trips but really, better for bags, jackets or smaller passengers. The trunk is compact - despite the four seats, you would have a problem getting four suitcases in the back.

How’s the drive?

The S3 brought a smile to the face instantly with its quick acceleration and strong handling. It made Los Angeles surface streets, freeway ramps and canyon detours feel like part of the same amusement park. Acceleration is strong, steering is clean and immediate, and the brakes inspire real confidence. The chassis feels planted, especially for a small sports sedan where you expect mush.

Room for improvement

The shifter is tiny and weirdly unsatisfying for a car with this much bratty energy. The S3 can also be too eager to supervise, with the driver-assistance systems and safety naggins sometimes crossing from helpful into hall-monitor territory. Immobilizing the car in traffic because the seat belt is not buckled may be defensible on paper, but in real life it feels like being scolded.

Conclusion: Once buckled, pointed and moving, the S3 is a terrific little luxury performance sedan - small, fast, polished and just plain fun.