2026 Audi S3 Prestige vs. 2026 BMW 228 xDrive Gran Coupe: Battle of the little racers.

This week: Audi S3

Price: The 2025 starts at $48,700, according to the window sticker of the test model; the 2026 starts at $52,000.

Conventional wisdom: Car and Driver likes the “entertaining handling, responsive powertrain, sophisticated and luxurious interior.” They were less fond of the “limited trunk space,” and that there was “some road noise at higher speeds,” and it was “not quite as raucous as the RS3.”

Marketer’s pitch: “Upgrade the everyday.”

Reality: It depends where you go every day.

What’s new: We’ve been exploring efficiency over the last two weeks with the Accord Hybrid and Prius Plug-In. The Prius had some kick, but the Audi and BMW really pack a punch.

The little Audi sedan (whic

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