Audi S3 vs. Ford Mustang
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi S3 and Ford Mustang contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi S3 and the Ford Mustang.
When comparing the Audi S3's and the Ford Mustang's specifications and ratings, the Audi S3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and overall quality score. The Ford Mustang has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The Audi S3 and Ford Mustang have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Audi S3's and the Ford Mustang's specifications and ratings, the Ford Mustang is a better car than the Audi S3.
Pricing: A used 2024 Audi S3 ranges from $46,971 to $58,315 while a used 2024 Ford Mustang is priced between $38,893 to $64,667. For a new model, the Audi S3's price is between $53,402 and $62,353, with the Ford Mustang priced between $39,751 and $64,880.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi S3 loses 42.8 percent of its value and the Ford Mustang loses 43.5 percent of its value. This means the Audi S3 retains 0.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Mustang.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi S3 is 8.1 out of 10 while the Ford Mustang's quality rating is 7.8 out of 10. This results in the Audi S3 being ranked 10 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Ford Mustang being ranked 4 out of 9 Best Convertibles.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi S3 is 6.6 out of 10. For the Ford Mustang the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Ford Mustang an advantage in reliability compared to the Audi S3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi S3’s base engine makes 306 horsepower, and the Ford Mustang base engine makes 315 horsepower. The S3 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles. The Mustang is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 528 miles. This gives the Ford Mustang the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Audi S3. The S3 uses premium unleaded, and the Mustang uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Mustang, a sports car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, and cargo space. The Audi S3, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Audi S3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$53,402 - $62,353
Starting MSRP:
$47,400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$58,130
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$38,800 - $98,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$39,751 - $64,880
Starting MSRP:
$39,020
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$34,022
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$28,985 - $42,970
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$53,116
Price Range:
$46,971 - $58,315
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$67,794
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$47,250 - $119,964
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
20
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
8,361
# Good or Great Deals:
1
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$53,095
Price Range:
$38,893 - $64,667
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$50,979
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$35,475 - $58,789
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,921
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
11,029
# Good or Great Deals:
180
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$20,851
Depreciation %:
44%
Resale Value $:
$26,549
Residual Value %:
56%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
42.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
40% - 44%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$17,297
Depreciation %:
44.3%
Resale Value $:
$21,723
Residual Value %:
55.7%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
23.9% - 44.3%
Audi S3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Ford Mustang Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi S3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
11.1 - 13
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Mustang
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.9
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
8.9 - 15.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
2.1 - 10.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 6.6
Audi S3 Rankings
Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
34 out of / 36Ford Mustang Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 14Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
15 out of / 15Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi S3 Trim Levels
2.0T quattro Premium, 2.0T quattro Premium Plus, 2.0T quattro Prestige
Ford Mustang Trim Levels
EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT Premium, Dark Horse, GT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
306 hp @ 5450 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.087 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
315 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
350 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.084 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 33 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 528 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
8.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
87.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
44.6 inches
Cargo Space:
10.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3527 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
177.3 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3747 lbs
Width:
81.9 inches
Height:
54.8 inches
Length:
189.4 inches
Wheelbase:
107 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic / Turbo Blue
Gray
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Red
Tango Red Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic / Ibis White
Yellow
Python Yellow Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Atlas Blue / Grabber Blue / Vapor Blue
Gray
Carbonized Gray / Dark Matter Gray
Red
Race Red / Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
White
Oxford White
Yellow
Yellow Splash Metallic Tri-coat
Silver
Iconic Silver
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Gray
Steel Gray w/ Anthracite Stitching
Interior Colors
Black
Black Onyx
Gray
Space Gray
