AudiRS 3

　　

2024 Audi RS 3 Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuNews Editor

　　Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.

　　The RS 3 is the high-performance version of the A3, Audi's smallest sedan. It's more powerful and capable than the S3, and it's the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of one of the brand's famed RS models. Its small size, muscular power and tenacious grip allow for spirited driving. But don't let its small stature and performance credentials fool you; the RS 3 also provides a comfortable ride and rear seats spacious enough for adults.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Five-cylinder performance

The RS 3's centerpiece is its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. Lots of cars have four- or six-cylinder engines, but Audi's five-cylinder is unique and makes a sound to match. It's turbocharged and tuned to deliver 401 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and it's connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that routes power to an all-wheel-drive system fitted with a torque-vectoring rear differential. That potent powertrain blasted the RS 3 from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds when we tested it. The RS 3's adaptive sport suspension (which includes two RS drive modes) and sticky summer tires ensure that the pint-size supercar feels right at home on a curvy road or at the track.

　　

Competitors to consider

The RS 3's rivals include the recently improved Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S and the slightly larger Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. For a more affordable option, consider the new Acura Integra Type S. If you don't mind two doors, you should definitely take a look at the recently redesigned BMW M2. And don't forget about the all-electric alternative: the Tesla Model 3 Performance. For our test team's in-depth review of the RS 3, check out our zzdcar Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the RS 3 drive? The RS 3's centerpiece is its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. It has a unique sound and delivers stunning performance. In our testing we recorded a 3.9-second 0-60 mph run on California's 91 octane fuel, making it quicker than Mercedes' AMG CLA 45. (zzdcar is based in Los Angeles.) But the RS 3 doesn't deliver full thrust until you feed it 93 octane fuel, and once we added an octane booster the RS 3 chipped 0.3 second off its 0-60 time. That's exceptional, but residents in states that can't get 93 will wish the RS 3 could make that happen without having to add a bottle of octane booster with each tank.

　　Though it delivers crushing speed, the experience of getting there isn't as evocative as we'd like. It's not that it doesn't drive well; it's that the way the RS 3 goes about delivering its almost bewildering performance is anodyne. The Audi RS 5 left us with a similar coldness. It feels like the RS 3 keeps the driver an arm's reach away from the experience thanks to nearly lifeless steering and electronic aids that filter your inputs. If you want something visceral, the RS 3 might not be the best choice.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the RS 3? Audi's RS-badged cars have historically done a good job of balancing comfort and performance and the RS 3 is no different. Even in the suspension's stiffest mode, lumps and bumps from the road surface only rarely make their way into the cabin, a rare trait from a car with such high performance aspirations. You will notice plenty of road noise thrumming its way through the cabin due to the RS 3's 19-inch wheels and high-performance Pirelli tires. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's worth mentioning.

　　The RS 3's specialized sport front seats only add to the cabin's comfort level. They're covered in soft leather and uniquely supple. They aren't as firm and don't hold on as tightly as the seats from some competitors, but we'll take that trade-off for a bit of added everyday usability.

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