Audi has produced many legendary performance vehicles over the years, but in recent years they’ve often been a bit clinical; a bit soulless. After spending a day with the RS3, however, I was so impressed I almost purchased it.
First appearing in the US in 2017, the RS3 is Audi’s smallest RS sport sedan, and is also offered as a hatchback in other markets. Based on the A3, Audi’s entry-level offering in the US, the RS3 adds a unique visual treatment while still remaining mostly under the radar. The RS3 was offered in one trim and drivetrain configuration, with a few selectable option packages. My tester was finished in Catalunya Red (the exception to the subtlety), a bold shade that appears more orange in person. Personally, I’d select the Black Optics appearance package with a bright color like this, but swapping out the silver trim is not difficult aftermarket.
The interior, despite receiving a number of unique appointments such as manually adjustable quilted leather sports seats, an alcantara steering wheel, and carbon fiber trim, definitely shows its entry-level roots. There’s plenty of technology, including Audi’s Virtual Cockpit standard, and the cabin feels premium overall, but hard plastics lower down don’t go amiss. The smart key fob is shared with the base A3 as well as the previous generation Volkswagen Jetta, and as such, still has an old-school flip out key blade. All of the other main touch points, however, live up to Audi’s reputation of quality and luxury.
There’s also no getting around the fact the RS3 is a small car. Sitting behind my driving position, at barely six feet tall, my knees were touching the back of the front seat. The trunk only offers about 10 cubic feet of cargo space, or in other words, about the same size as a Ford Fiesta.
That said, a smaller footprint is often a major benefit from a driving dynamics point of view. When you get the RS3 out on the road, the cheaper interior materials and cramped rear seat immediately become completely irrelevant. Stock, the RS3 boasts a 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine that puts out 400 horsepower. A smooth, quick shifting 7-speed dual clutch transmission sends that power to all four wheels while an absolutely incredible noise gets sent out the tailpipes.
Even daily driving a tuned Audi S4, I was blown away by the speed of the RS3. That’s partially helped by the fact my test car was tuned to over 500 crank horsepower. From the factory, Audi quotes a 3.9 second 0-60mph time, although almost every magazine and outlet has reported times several tenths quicker. I wouldn’t be surprised if this particular car could run under 3.5 seconds from a launch.
There’s just something I love about being able to keep up with base R8s and 911 GTSes while looking like every other four-door sedan on the road. The five-cylinder’s exhaust tone is also right up there with the V10 R8 in my book.
So then, what do you realistically cross shop the RS3 with? Part of me compares it to my own tuned S4, but also more logically, the BMW M2. Despite being available on the used market for similar prices these days, they’re all quite different. The M2 is a two door coupe with an optional manual transmission. The S4 is larger and far more luxurious, but also slower and less raw as a result. The RS3 is the only way to find yourself sitting behind a five cylinder, and is by far the best performance value in the bracket. While you can also easily tune an M2, the RS3 will always be quicker modified.
If you have to have a coupe or a manual transmission, the M2 is your only option. Personally, I tend to prefer sedans and dual clutch or automatic transmissions for daily driving. Between the RS3 and S4, I’m picking this little orange pocket rocket 8 times out of 10. I actually had the opportunity to buy this RS3 after filming it, and at the time I told myself it wasn’t worth the bump in finance payment. Looking back, though, I really regret not jumping on it.
| Vehicle Tested | 2018 Audi RS3 |
| Color | Catalunya Red / Black w/ red stitching |
| Drivetrain | 2.5-liter turbocharged I5 / 7-speed DSG / All wheel drive |
| HP / Torque | 400 horsepower / 354 ft-lbs |
| Curb Weight | 3,590 lbs (est.) |
| 0-60 mph | 3.5 seconds (est.) |
| EPA Fuel Econ | 19 city / 28 hwy / 22 combined |
| MSRP | $59,075 (est.) |
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