Compare the2026 Toyota GR CorollaVS 2025 Audi S3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GR Corolla are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The GR Corolla has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The S3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GR Corolla’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GR Corolla and the S3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the GR Corolla 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR Corolla for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S3.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR Corolla’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 69 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 111 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 7th.

An eight-speed automatic is optional on the Toyota GR Corolla, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S3.

The GR Corolla stops shorter than the S3:

For better traction, the GR Corolla has larger tires than the S3 (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R18).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GR Corolla is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the S3.

The GR Corolla handles at 1.02 G’s, while the S3 Prestige pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Toyota GR Corolla may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Audi S3.

The GR Corolla is 3.8 inches shorter than the S3, making the GR Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the GR Corolla a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The GR Corolla has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The GR Corolla’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GR Corolla’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GR Corolla has a standard rear wiper. The S3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The GR Corolla’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

On extremely cold winter days, the GR Corolla Premium Plus’ standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota GR Corolla’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the S3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota GR Corolla has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S3.

The GR Corolla was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The S3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over 23 to one during 2024.