After skipping the 2021 model year in the United States, Audi's smallest sedans are ready to return. The 2022 Audi A3 and 2022 Audi S3 officially arrive in the US market more than one year after they debuted to a European audience. Both models were extensively detailed in European guise, but Audi of America has finally confirmed US market specifications. The figures don't differ too much from the European ones.

First up is the base A3, which only includes one engine option for the North American market. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder TSFI engine produces 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. This is an increase over the outgoing base model's 184 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque, but the A3 used to offer a more potent 45 TFSI engine producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

This new A3 places a heavier emphasis on efficiency with a new 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system filling in torque at low RPMs and allowing the car to coast in certain driving situations. Power goes out to the front wheels or an optional all-wheel-drive system through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Buyers looking for greater performance should opt for the sportier S3.

This model uses an aggressively tuned 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, increases of 18 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing S3. Audi says the new S3 hits 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds, a tenth of a second quicker than the previous model.

Pricing for the Audi A3 Sedan 40 TFSI Premium trim costs $33,900, the Premium Plus increases to $37,200, and the top-trim Prestige starts at $41,200. These prices all exclude a $1,045 destination charge. Adding quattro to the base A3 Sedan 40 TFSI is $2,000.

The 2022 Audi S3 Sedan is significantly more expensive, starting at $44,900 for the Premium, $47,700 for the Premium Plus, and $51,500 for the Prestige. This pricing still undercuts the A3/S3's closest rivals, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.