Audi Scores Big as A5, S3 Win 2026 MotorWeek Awards

[Source: Audi of America]

Audi is starting 2026 on a high note, with both the A5 and S3 earning MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards. The all-new Audi A5 was named Best Luxury Car, thanks to major technology and feature upgrades arriving for the 2026 model year. Meanwhile, the Audi S3 took home Best Sport Sedan honors, building on its recent power bump, chassis refinements, and RS 3-derived rear differential. These updates continue to make it one of the strongest performance-for-the-money cars in Audi’s lineup.

Built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, the all-new A5 arrived for the 2025 model year as a major step forward for the brand. It’s wider, longer, and taller than before, with a wheelbase stretched by 2.6 inches, translating directly into a roomier cabin, more cargo space, and improved ride and handling. Power is up, driving dynamics are sharper, and the design is completely fresh, incorporating Audi’s latest driver-assistance and convenience tech. One of the standout features is the clever rear liftback, which preserves the five-door practicality Audi owners love while giving the A5 a sleeker, almost coupe-like profile.

Praise for A5 and S3

MotorWeek host and creator John Davis praised the A5 for redefining what modern luxury should be. He noted that true luxury goes beyond premium materials and comfort features, emphasizing intuitive technology and overall refinement. According to Davis, Audi successfully blended the style and usability of the A5 Sportback with the role once filled by the A4 sedan, creating a modern replacement that impressed the MotorWeek team more with every drive.

The Audi S3 earned similar acclaim by doubling down on the brand’s formula of compact size paired with serious performance. Building on the already sporty A3, the S3 adds distinctive S-model details and meaningful hardware upgrades. For 2025, it received a notable power increase, chassis refinements, and an advanced rear torque splitter borrowed from the RS 3. Combined with refreshed styling, expanded standard equipment, and upgraded interior materials, those changes sharpen the S3’s handling without sacrificing daily drivability.

Davis described the S3 as a new benchmark in its class, praising its balance of RS 3-inspired performance and A3 practicality. With standard all-wheel drive, a 328-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, and a responsive chassis, he noted that the S3 delivers an engaging driving experience that’s just as rewarding on public roads as it is on a racetrack. It is proof that bigger and more powerful isn’t always better.

MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Awards have been recognizing standout vehicles for more than 45 years. Each year, the team evaluates over 150 new cars and trucks using real-world driving, research, and instrumented testing. Winners are selected across 12 consumer-focused categories, with an emphasis on performance, technology, practicality, efficiency, and overall value—making the A5 and S3’s wins a strong endorsement of Audi’s current direction.