Performance cars are becoming increasingly expensive, which is pushing many enthusiasts toward the used market in search of better value. While there are still some fantastic new options available, depreciation can create opportunities that are difficult to ignore. For the price of a brand-new hot hatch, you can often step into something that was positioned as a premium performance model just a few years ago.

That value equation becomes even more compelling when you’re comparing vehicles that offer similar levels of power. A lightly used luxury sport sedan can deliver the same thrills as a new performance-focused compact while adding a more refined ride, higher-quality materials, and a longer list of comfort and technology features. In many cases, you’re getting a vehicle that originally cost thousands more without paying the premium.

For buyers who want speed without stretching their budget, the used market is full of hidden gems. One standout example combines strong straight-line performance, all-weather capability, and a genuinely upscale cabin, all while costing less than one of the most sought-after performance cars currently on sale.

A 2023 Audi S3 can now be had for less than a new Toyota GR Corolla

Toyota’s hot hatch is great, but the S3 is better

If you’re looking for a relatively affordable performance car with all-wheel drive, you may find yourself tempted by the Toyota GR Corolla, and we don’t blame you. For the money that you pay, it is genuinely one of the most entertaining cars on the road. However, if you’re willing to dip into the used market, you’ll find that there is another option that is quicker off the line and far more refined inside. A 2023 Audi S3 can now be had for an absolute bargain.

2023 Audi S3 trims and pricing

There are a lot of great affordable performance cars on the market right now, but the used market is still where you’ll find the best bang for your buck. A new GR Corolla will set you back $40,120 to start, which is the same price as the highest trim level of the 2023 Audi S3. If you’re looking to save yourself a good couple of bucks, the entry-level trim lists for an average price that is more comparable to a Hyundai Elantra N than a GR Corolla.

When new, a 2023 S3 would have cost you between $47,895 and $54,595, depending on which trim you opted for. German cars tend to depreciate very quickly in their first couple of years on the road, which is why these used models can be had for so cheap.

Which trim should you get?

We think springing for the Premium Plus is the way to go. On average, they only list for $1,000 more than the base model, but they come with a ton of extra niceties. You get things like a memory setting for your power-adjustable front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, all features that the base model does without. Tack this on top of the strong list of standard features you get, and you have a really refined and sporty daily driver.

Despite putting down similar horsepower, the S3 is quicker off the line

One built for tarmac, and the other for loose surfaces

Credit: Audi

While the Toyota GR Corolla and the Audi S3 might feel quite similar on paper, they are both designed for very different purposes. The S3 is meant to be a refined sports sedan that is as comfortable as it is quick. The GR Corolla, however, is a rally-derived hot hatch that has more fun off the tarmac than on it. While its rally-focused identity is really cool, if you’re looking for something you’re going to keep on the road, the S3 is the better pick.

2023 Audi S3 performance specs

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

7-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

306 hp

Base Trim Torque

295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

Fuel Economy

23/32 MPG

Make

Audi

Model

S3 Sedan

Segment

Full-Size Luxury Sedan

Under the hood of the 2023 Audi S3 sits a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts down 306 horsepower. That isn’t much more than the 300 horses you get from the GR Corolla’s turbo three-pot. The Audi also comes standard with a pretty slick 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. If you’re a manual purist, though, you’ll prefer the six-speed in the Toyota. In any case, this setup allows the S3 to launch from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds, which is almost a whole second quicker than its hot hatch rival.

Both cars come equipped with all-wheel drive, but the two systems are very different. Audi’s Quattro in its S vehicles is a somewhat traditional all-wheel drive system, albeit one of the best on the market. The GR Corolla, however, features a rally-derived system that allows you to select the power distribution between the front and rear, with 60/40, 30/70, and 50/50 being your choices.

We concede that the manual transmission and fancy all-wheel drive system make the GR Corolla appealing, but it doesn’t change the fact that the S3 is quicker on tarmac. It is also the more lively car, offering better handling and feeling generally sharper. If you plan to hit gravel tracks often, the GR Corolla is the better call, but otherwise, we think that the S3 is the more enjoyable sporty car.

Cabin refinement is another area where the Audi is above the Toyota

The mainstream hot hatch can’t match the luxury sport sedan

The point of both of these cars is that they have a lot of performance on tap, but that they are also easy to live with on a day-to-day basis. While there isn’t anything especially wrong with the GR Corolla’s cabin, the 2023 Audi S3 is a luxury car and offers comforts and technology that the Toyota doesn’t. From a comfort perspective, we’d rather be driving the German sport sedan.

Interior dimensions and comfort

Both the GR Corolla and the Audi S3 are fairly small cars. They both have their own individual strengths and weaknesses in terms of practicality. The S3 has much more livable rear seats, with enough space to squeeze adults in the back when needed. While the Toyota’s rear seats are more cramped, it does have a more spacious cargo hold. We think the S3 is a little more versatile, though, with the 40/20/40 folding rear bench meaning that you can fit extra stuff in the trunk when you need to.

In terms of interior refinement, there really is no contest here. While the GR Corolla’s cabin is good for a semi-budget-oriented sporty hatch, the Audi S3 is a step up from an already luxurious sedan, the A3. You get things like comfortable sports seats with quilted leather inserts, a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control. Everything from the design to the materials used feels much more premium.

Infotainment and technology

Every 2023 S3 comes equipped with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen which is set in the middle of the dashboard. It runs the German brand’s MMI software and delivers crisp graphics. Also standard is a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster. However, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster was offered as an option on Premium Plus models.

The larger infotainment screen comes as part of the Technology package on Premium Plus trims. When looking for a used model, we would find one that comes with this package. As well as the improved gauge display, you also get things like in-dash navigation, a heads-up display, and a Bang and Olufsen sound system. The Prestige model gets all of these things standard.

An overlooked alternative that offers pure speed and high levels of refinement

The GR Corolla is a fantastic hot hatch, delivering high levels of performance at a relatively affordable price point. However, its interior is definitely a little budget-minded and its personality only really comes to light when you drive it over loose surfaces. For less money than a new GR Corolla, you can get a lightly used Audi S3. While it may not come with a manual transmission, it is faster than the Corolla and offers a luxurious interior that is much nicer to live with. It’s a sleek alternative that has depreciated into a tantalizing bargain that is hard to resist.