2023 Audi RS 3 Sedan

2023 Audi RS 3 Review

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioNews 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.

　　From a quick glance at the compact 2023 Audi RS 3, you wouldn't think it was loaded with 400 horsepower or tuned for elite sports-car handling. Instead you might see a stylish mini-sedan that looks easy to park around New York City. That makes the RS 3 one of the sleeper hits among the rare breed of today's performance sedans, a car you might not notice until it passes you well above the speed limit. The only giveaway might be its array of colors that are as boisterous as its turbocharged five-cylinder powertrain.

　　Audi redesigned the RS 3 just last year and, among other upgrades, installed a new torque-vectoring rear differential. This gives the all-wheel-drive RS 3 a notably different character than the A3 or even S3. In the RS 3, power can be apportioned to each rear wheel individually, giving the car the feel of a rear-wheel-drive sports car. Driver-selectable modes further enhance performance, whether you want to cruise in a cushy suspension setting or slide out the tail end with some enthusiastic acceleration. There's even a Track mode, and an optional set of Pirelli tires specifically designed for track use.

　　We like the RS 3 and find it a competitive pick among the BMW M2 and Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45. Read our test team's Expert Rating below to see if this pint-size powerhouse makes a case for a spot in your garage.

　　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

　　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

　　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 form 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below