Audi RS3 Review 2024

The Audi RS3 is the flagship model in the Audi A3 range, thanks to bespoke styling, quattro all-wheel drive and a characterful 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine. Blending massive performance with the ability to be used every day is no mean feat, but the Audi RS3 does just that. It has rivals in the Mercedes-AMG A45 and cheaper Volkswagen Golf R.

Central to the appeal of the Audi RS3 is its 2.5 TFSI petrol engine. Tracing its lineage back to the Audi Quattro of the 1980s, and featuring in a host of high-performance models since, describing this engine as ‘legendary’ is no understatement. It helps make this one of the best hot hatches around.

In the Audi RS3, it produces 400PS, along with 500Nm of torque. The result is the potential to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds, and reach a top speed of 155mph. Alternatively, opting for the top-spec Audi RS3 Vorsprung sees this increased to a heady 180mph.

A quattro all-wheel-drive system ensures the Audi RS3 can deliver its power whatever the weather, with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission fitted as standard.

Previous versions of the Audi RS3 were often criticised for feeling remote and uninvolving to drive. Audi was said to have focussed on straight line speed, at the expense of driver engagement. Fortunately, the third-generation much improved the level of involvement, even adding a rowdy RS Torque Rear ‘drift mode’ for on-track antics.

The Audi RS3 still lacks steering that bursts with feedback, but it manages to feel much more alive when driven for fun. This has not come at the expense of ride quality, however, with versions fitted with adaptive suspension feeling particularly compliant.

When it comes to its interior, the Audi RS3 is similar to the standard Audi A3. This means a modern-looking design, but with some materials that seem a little underwhelming. At least the leather-clad sports seats are supportive, plus there is a long list of standard equipment.

Picking the Audi RS3 does mean compromising practicality versus the regular Audi A3. To accommodate the quattro drivetrain, Audi has needed to reduce boot space by 100 litres. In the Audi RS3 Sportback, this means a luggage capacity of just 282 litres, with the Saloon boasting 321 litres.

Viewed logically, the Audi RS3 is a very expensive way to experience a compact hatchback or saloon. On paper, the cheaper Audi S3 makes more sense, but it lacks the epic 2.5 TFSI engine and the noise that comes with it.

Instead, the Audi RS3 delivers performance that would worry supercar owners on a track day, but can still collect the kids from school on the way home.

The fact that Audi has seen demand for the Audi RS3 outstrip supply is indicative of how good this car is. Sadly, it also means having to consider a used model, or waiting to see when Audi starts accepting orders again. In the meantime, your key decision will be whether you prefer the four-door Saloon or five-door Sportback.

Cars with an engine like the iconic 2.5 TFSI found in the Audi RS3 will not be around for much longer. This is a proper performance machine, but one that can be bought with the head and the heart.

Compared to its predecessors, the third-generation Audi RS3 is more engaging when it comes to driving dynamics.

In Comfort mode, the steering is accurate and well-weighted, but Sport mode adds more weight than is really necessary. Whatever the setting, the Audi RS3 turns in quickly, and inspires plenty of confidence.

Stable and secure handling has been part of Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive offering for decades, but the Audi RS3 brings something extra to the party. A new Torque Splitter rear differential, combined with the ‘RS Torque Rear’ setting, gives the Audi RS3 its very own drift mode – for use on the track only, of course.

Away from RS Torque Rear mode, the Audi RS3 proves a surefooted performance car whatever the weather.

Vorsprung models come with adaptive suspension, which results in a surprisingly compliant ride. Switching to Sport mode does firm things up, but the Comfort setting will make long-distance cruising very easy. Versions on normal suspension do feel more taut, but you could still live with them every day.

The Audi RS3 comes as standard with six-piston front brakes, backed by huge discs. Carbon ceramic brakes can be added as a considerable cost option, helping the car to cope with repeated high-speed stops for those who are contemplating track days.

The Audi RS3 is offered with just a single engine, but it happens to be a genuinely legendary one. This is the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine that can trace its lineage all the way back to the Audi Quattro of the 1980s.

Audi has used the 2.5 TFSI engine in a number of its performance cars, including the Audi TT RS and the Audi RS Q3 SUV models. It has undergone various changes and adaptations to meet modern emissions requirements, yet is still able to deliver huge speed and acceleration.

Making this possible is an output of 400PS, combined with 500Nm of torque. These are numbers that, even just a few years ago, would not have seemed out of place in a supercar.

Thanks to its standard quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Audi RS3 is able to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph, but the Audi RS3 Vorsprung sees this derestricted to an autobahn-storming 180mph.

Such torque makes for effortless overtaking ability, giving the 2.5 TFSI an unburstable feeling. However, it can still be driven around town with ease, just like a regular Audi A3 when needed.

The only transmission is a seven-speed S tronic, which shifts rapidly to keep the acceleration almost seamless. There are plenty of pops and crackles when changing gear in Sport and RS modes, but Comfort will make things more restrained.

You’ll probably want to keep the RS Sport exhaust in the louder modes, though. The slightly offbeat warble from the five-cylinder engine is intoxicating, and far more evocative than engines in the Audi RS3’s rivals.

Being based upon the standard Audi A3 hatchback and saloon means the Audi RS3 should perform similarly when it comes to safety. When evaluated by the Euro NCAP organisation, the Audi A3 was awarded the maximum five-star rating.

Along with a wealth of airbags, the Audi RS3 comes with autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. There is also the natural agility of the quattro all-wheel-drive setup, along with powerful brakes to help avoid danger in the first place.

Although the Audi RS3 might be a compact hatchback and saloon, it is a performance vehicle at heart. As a result, it has not been officially rated for towing. With the ability to haul braked trailers up to 1900kg in weight, the Audi RS Q3 SUV might be a better alternative here.

Buyers are drawn to performance cars like the Audi RS3 as they don’t mean having to sacrifice practicality and usability. Being based upon a conventional Audi A3 makes it far more versatile than dedicated sports cars, for instance.

In the front, the high-backed sports seats are comfortable and supportive, while offering a lot of adjustment. Adults will fit without complaint, and the seats grip in the right places when making use of all the grip on offer. There is limited storage space, with a pair of cupholders and a small central storage cubby.

In the rear, the Audi RS3 Sportback boasts extra headroom compared with the Saloon version. Legroom is limited whatever the bodystyle, just as with the regular Audi A3, but there is enough space to carry children in comfort.

When it comes to boot capacity, turning the Audi A3 into an Audi RS3 has meant sacrificing some luggage space. The Sportback version of the Audi RS3 can hold 282 litres, compared to the 380 litres usually available. The same is true for the Saloon, which sees boot space drop by 100 litres to 321 litres with the rear seats in place.

At least the tailgate opens electrically, while the rear seats can split 40/20/40 to help transport larger items.

Given the price charged for the Audi RS3, buyers would rightfully expect that every piece of plastic and fabric found inside would be of top-drawer quality. Although there is nothing inherently cheap found in the Audi RS3’s cabin, some parts do seem underwhelming, and owners of a previous-generation model would be left wondering what has happened.

The seats are clad in Nappa leather, and you get a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel. But the Mercedes-AMG A45 feels better made, as does a BMW M140i.

All versions of the Audi RS3 come equipped with a 10.1-inch MMI Navigation multimedia touchscreen. The graphics used on the screen are sharp and bold, but all the controls rely on making use of the touchscreen itself.

Previous versions of the MMI system included a rotary controller on the centre console, allowing it to be operated without taking your eyes off the road. Audi has included physical buttons for the climate control air-con, though.

The Audi RS3 comes equipped with a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, with a number of customisable views. These include settings specific to this hottest A3, including a lap timer and a meter to record maximum G-forces.

Satellite navigation is standard on all models, along with DAB digital radio and two USB-C connections. Amazon Alexa integration and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity are included, too.

Choosing the range-topping Audi RS3 Vorsprung will be best for audiophiles. They can enjoy the standard 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, which boasts its own subwoofer.

The Audi RS3 is currently not available to buy new, with Audi stopping sales due to demand outstripping supply at the end of 2022. However, when it was on sale, the Audi RS3 range started at £50,900 for the base Sportback version, with the Saloon costing £1000 more.

This is cheaper than the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, which costs more than £63,000. However, the Audi RS3 does look expensive compared to the Volkswagen Golf R. The Golf does have less horsepower, but it costs a more modest £44,000 to buy new.

Opting for the Audi RS3 in range-topping Vorsprung trim ratchets the price up substantially. In Sportback trim it was priced from £58,650, with the Saloon requiring £59,650.

Given the prodigious performance of the Audi RS3, running costs are always going to be higher than a regular Audi A3 model. Being powered by a 400PS 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine is not a recipe for parsimonious fuel economy, even when you drive carefully.

In the official WLTP test, the Audi RS3 Sportback achieved a combined fuel consumption of 31.4mpg in standard trim, with the fractionally more aerodynamic Audi RS3 Saloon managing 31.7mpg. Choosing the Carbon Edition or Vorsprung trim level increases fuel consumption marginally.

In reality, making use of the 2.5 TFSI engine as Audi intends sees the fuel economy dive into the low 20s with worrying ease. Motorway cruising is more efficient, but a 400PS hot hatchback is never going to be the best choice for fleet users.

To see how the Audi RS3 fares in real-world driving, be sure to read our Real MPG submissions.

Despite its big performance, the Audi RS3 is not too prohibitive when it comes to insurance. The regular Audi RS3 is found in insurance group 35 (out of 50 groups in total), with the Carbon Black model in group 37. The range-topping Audi RS3 Vorsprung will be the most expensive version to insure, being in insurance group 40.

The Audi RS3 comes as standard with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, in line with other premium European manufacturers. Against what many of the mainstream manufacturers offer, however, this looks rather less generous.

Audi does offer buyers the chance to extend the Audi RS3’s warranty to either four or five years when buying new, though.

As a flagship hot hatchback and saloon, the standard specification for the Audi RS3 is as generous as you would hope, particularly given the steep price tag attached.

Calling the base Audi RS3 an entry-level option feels a bit unfair for a 400PS hot hatchback or saloon. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED tail lights with dynamic indicators, and a matt aluminium effect for the bespoke RS body kit.

The same matt aluminium trim is used to cover the side mirrors, along with the window surrounds. Rear privacy glass is standard, while the RS-branded brake callipers are painted black. An RS performance exhaust is included, with the quad tailpipes themselves finished in chrome.

On the inside, the Audi RS3 has heated sports seats upholstered in Nappa leather, complemented by a three-spoke flat-bottomed leather steering wheel. Carbon fibre is used for the interior trim inlays, plus a black cloth headlining adds to the sporty effect.

Audi fits a 10.1-inch MMI infotainment touchscreen to all versions, featuring satellite navigation and smartphone connectivity. A 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel is also included, offering customisable views.

Next in the Audi RS3 range is Audi RS3 Carbon Black trim, bringing a stealthier appearance to this performance machine. Audi has been quite literal with this trim, fitting a set of 19-inch alloy wheels finished in matt black, while also using gloss black for the RS bodykit. The front grille surround, side mirror caps and Audi badges get the black treatment, too.

Other Audi RS3 Carbon Black features include black chrome tailpipes for the RS performance exhaust system, along with a carbon fibre-look rear spoiler. Under the bonnet is a carbon fibre-look engine cover, while the interior benefits from carbon trim inlays.

Topping the Audi RS3 hierarchy is the Audi RS3 Vorsprung model, which has almost every item of equipment added. This starts with bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels and adaptive suspension. The Audi RS bodykit is finished in gloss black, while there is also a power-operated tailgate and a reversing camera. For pub bragging rights, top speed is also increased to 180mph.

On the inside, the Audi RS3 Vorsprung comes with electrically adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker audio system with a subwoofer.