Acura TLX vs Audi S3
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Audi S3
Overview
| Spec | Acura TLXTLX Sedan | Audi S3S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | TLX Sedan | S3 Sedan |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed automated manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Acura TLXTLX Sedan | Audi S3S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $45,400 (best) | $52,000 |
| Lowest listing price | $17,500 (best) | $55,494 |
| Median listing price | $23,062 (best) | $57,657 |
| Highest listing price | $47,100 (best) | $59,820 |
| For sale now | 12 (best) | 2 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Acura TLXTLX Sedan | Audi S3S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 22 MPG | 23 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 31 MPG | 31 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 15.9 gal (best) | 14.5 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Acura TLXTLX Sedan | Audi S3S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 272 hp | 328 hp (best) |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Acura TLXTLX Sedan | Audi S3S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 13.5 cu ft (best) | 8.3 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 860 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,756 lbs | 3,549 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 113 in (best) | 103.6 in |
| Length | 194.6 in (best) | 177.4 in |
| Width | 75.2 in (best) | 71.5 in |
| Height | 56.4 in (best) | 55.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Acura TLXTLX Sedan | Audi S3S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Acura TLX | Audi S3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TLX Sedan $45,400 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S3 Sedan $52,000 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | TLX Sedan $50,400 MSRP | — |
| 3 | Type S $58,050 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Acura TLX12 for sale
See all
Certified2024 Acura TLX
Technology Package
Urban Gray Pearl•Ebony11,098 mi$33,500Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2015 Acura TLX
Tech
Basque Red Pearl II60,020 mi$17,500Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2020 Acura TLX
2.4L A-Spec Pkg
Apex Blue Pearl•ebony78,110 mi$22,200Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2019 Acura TLX
w/A-Spec Pkg
Modern Steel Metallic•Ebony103,430 mi$25,421Mazda Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2017 Acura TLX
2.4L
Bellanova White Pearl•Graystone66,848 mi$17,999BMW of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Used2019 Acura TLX
SH-AWD V6 w/Tech w/A-SPEC
black104,693 mi$21,575Carousel Preowned
Iowa City, IA
Acura TLX vs Audi S3 FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Acura TLX or 2026 Audi S3?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Acura TLX vs 2026 Audi S3 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2025 Acura TLX or 2026 Audi S3?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2025 Acura TLX starts lower at $45,400. Live Acura TLX listings start at $17,500. Live Audi S3 listings start at $55,494.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Acura TLX or 2026 Audi S3?
- The 2025 Acura TLX leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (45,400).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Acura TLX or 2026 Audi S3?
- The 2026 Audi S3 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (26).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Acura TLX or 2026 Audi S3?
- The 2025 Acura TLX leads on horsepower in this comparison (355).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Acura TLX vs 2026 Audi S3?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Acura TLX (5/5 NHTSA overall); Audi S3 (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).