Item: Audi RS3
Rating: 4
Author: Steve Huntingford

Abarth 595

Audi RS3

Audi S3

BMW M135i

Cupra Leon

Ford Fiesta ST

Ford Focus ST

Honda Civic Type R

Hyundai i20N

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Mercedes A35 AMG

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Peugeot 308 GTi

Skoda Octavia vRS

Suzuki Swift Sport

Toyota GR Yaris

Volkswagen Golf GTI

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

If you’re someone who thinks <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2022/n17005">hot hatches</a> should be about cheap thrills, the Audi RS3 isn’t for you. It starts at more than twice the price of an entry-level <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a> and you can spend a lot more than that if you go for range-topping Vorsprung trim or add a few options.

Then again, it’s priced roughly in line with its main rival, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes AMG&nbsp;A45</a>&nbsp;– and offers pretty much the same performance as the larger and more expensive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs4/estate/review/n189">Audi RS4</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m3/saloon/review/n135">BMW M3</a>.

We’d avoid the entry-level RS3 because it misses some important features, including the RS sports exhaust, and will be less desirable on the used market in years to come because of its plainer styling.

Carbon Black trim makes the most sense, adding the exhaust but also more aggressive looks and more advanced LED headlights. You’ll still want to stump up for adaptive suspension and potentially the Comfort and Sound Pack, but this is cheaper than going for Vorsprung trim.

Fuel economy isn’t terrible for something this fast – you can expect close to 30mpg if you drive gently. That said, don’t expect parsimonious running costs because new tyres won’t be cheap, and the RS3 is in the highest (37%) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/check-your-company-car-tax-rate/n1255">company car tax</a> bracket.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a> finished 18th out of 30 manufacturers&nbsp;in the 2021 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n23418">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>. That's not a brilliant showing, and is below BMW in 13th, but it's better than Mercedes managed (it came joint 22nd).

The latest Audi RS3 uses the same basic 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine as its predecessors – and that’s great news because it’s an absolute cracker. Its maximum 394bhp isn’t quite a match for the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes AMG&nbsp;A45</a>&nbsp;but it’s still a huge amount for a car of this size and delivers true performance car pace.

Indeed, the RS3 offers similar performance to the much more expensive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs4/estate/review/n189">Audi RS4</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m3/saloon/review/n135">BMW M3</a> and, in our tests, managed to hit 62mph in a staggering 3.8 seconds. Any driver&nbsp;could match this acceleration thanks to a standard launch control system that allows you to make the perfect getaway every time, plus a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that takes care of shifts far quicker than you could hope to with a manual clutch and gearlever.

That five-cylinder engine sounds glorious, too – especially with the RS Sports exhaust fitted. That comes as standard on Carbon Black and Vorsprung versions, and is optional on the entry-level RS3. The roar under hard acceleration is far more evocative than the noise from the AMG&nbsp;A45 or, for that matter, other four-cylinder hot hatches including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17162">Volkswagen Golf R</a>.

The ‘torque splitter’ technology means there are two clutches on the rear axle, and they allow drive to be sent separately to each wheel. When you’re cornering hard, more power is sent to the outside wheel, and that helps the RS3 feel more agile and playful than you’d imagine – especially if you’ve owned one of the previous generations of this car.

When you drive the RS3 at a moderate pace in Comfort mode, the steering is light and naturally weighted. The Dynamic setting adds a lot of unnecessary heft, which arrives in an artificial way as you turn into bends, so is best avoided. Either way, when you’re driving really hard along a road with lots of turns, you don’t get a huge amount of feedback streaming to your fingertips.

This certainly doesn’t rob you of any confidence, and the steering is always very accurate. It just means you don’t enjoy the final degree of reward you get from the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2022/n17005">best hot hatches</a>, including the AMG A45.

The latest RS3 has better brakes than any of its predecessors, with long-lasting carbon ceramics available for track-day enthusiasts. These are very expensive, though, so they're only worth considering if you’re expecting to put your RS3 through some really punishing laps.

We’ve only tried the RS3 on adaptive suspension, which comes as standard on the range-topping Vorsprung and is optional on lesser versions. It delivers a remarkably composed ride in Comfort mode – in fact, the suspension is barely any less forgiving than in regular versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a>.

There’s been an arms race in the world of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2022/n17005">hot hatches</a> for the past decade or so – and it was started by the Audi RS3.&nbsp;You see, once upon a time, hot hatchbacks&nbsp;were essentially regular family cars with a bit more power and stiffer suspension.

The original RS3 may have looked like a dolled-up <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a>&nbsp;but underneath it was very different. It had four-wheel drive, a&nbsp;mighty five-cylinder engine with 340bhp and could accelerate quicker than many proper performance cars.

It wasn’t that exciting to drive around corners, but the limited number of examples built sold quickly and for enough money that Audi's rival Mercedes took notice and&nbsp;responded with the A45 AMG. Since then, more and more power has been added to each car to the point that today’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes AMG A45</a> has up to 415bhp and can hit 60mph faster than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a> Carrera.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eNG-GuUnHc0"></iframe>

The RS3 you’re looking at here is is the response from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a>&nbsp;and the big headline is that it doesn’t beat – or even match – the A45 for power.

So, does that mean&nbsp;Audi has given up and conceded defeat? Well, not quite, because although the third-generation RS3 has less power than its big rival, it’s officially quicker. Audi says it can do 0-62mph in a staggering 3.8 seconds and, if you pay extra to have the speed limiter removed, keep accelerating to 180mph.

It's not all about straight-line speed, though. The latest RS3 also has better brakes than its predecessors along with clever new ‘torque splitter’ technology to make it feel a bit more agile and fun. It’s available as a hatchback (Sportback in Audi speak) or, for a small&nbsp;premium, in saloon form.

In this review, we’ll be finding out whether the Audi RS3 is one of the&nbsp;best hot hatches you can buy&nbsp;in more ways than just performance. Read on over the next few pages to find out how it stack up for practicality, running costs and more.

When you’ve decided which model is right for you, head over to our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a> to see how much you could save off the brochure price without any showroom haggling. You'll find lots of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/hot-hatch">new hot hatch deals</a>.

The Audi RS3’s standard sports seats aren’t the sort of full-on bucket seats you get (or can spec)&nbsp;in some hot hatches and performance cars. Importantly, though, they're&nbsp;supportive enough through corners and remain comfortable on longer journeys.

If you’re the proud owner of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs3/hatchback/used-review/n18165">second-generation Audi RS3</a>, you might be a little underwhelmed by the quality of the latest car's interior. It’s pleasant enough and broadly on a par with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes AMG&nbsp;A45</a>&nbsp;but doesn't have the&nbsp;high-grade materials you'd&nbsp;find in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audis</a> from a few years ago.

You might also think the interior is rather plain to look at because&nbsp;it's no different to any other A3's. In some countries, you can&nbsp;order a faux-suede steering wheel with a 12 o’clock marker, along with&nbsp;body-coloured highlights on the air vents and seats – but not in the UK.

The infotainment system is a touchscreen affair and is reasonably easy to operate, especially compared with the screen&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17162">Volkswagen Golf R</a>. It's not quite as user-friendly as the AMG A45's system, though, while the iDrive set-up in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">BMW M135i</a> is by far the best option among <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2022/n17005">hot hatches</a>.&nbsp;

All trims have a 12.3in digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel, along with a gadget that allows you to record acceleration and lap times if you take your RS3 to a race track.

Hatchback

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Staggering performance and grip, and the five-cylinder engine sounds wonderful.

The RS3 is based on the A3, so if you want lots of detail about how much space there is for passengers in each body style, visit&nbsp;our detailed reviews of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3 Sportback</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/saloon/review/n60">Audi A3 Saloon</a>.

In short, you get rear doors on all RS3s to make it easy for people to get into the back. Once inside, those passengers will find a similar amount of&nbsp;room&nbsp;as they would in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes AMG&nbsp;A45</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla-45-amg/saloon/review/n19851">Mercedes AMG CLA 45</a>. If&nbsp;you're planning to put tall people in the back, it's worth noting that the RS3 Sportback has slightly more head room than the Saloon.

There is one big compromise over the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a>, though: boot space. The complex four-wheel-drive system raises the height of the boot floor and makes the load bay very shallow. We managed to fit just four carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf, compared with five in the AMG A45.

Mind you, all RS3s come with 40/20/40 split folding rear seats as standard, so you can carry more clobber when you need to.

A proper performance car in a hatchback (or saloon) body. Staggering performance and grip, and the five-cylinder engine sounds wonderful. It isn’t cheap and some rivals are more playful through the corners, but otherwise tough to fault.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.

The Golf GTI remains one of the best hot hatches on the market, along with its main competitor,&nbsp;the&nbsp;equally as responsive and cheaper to buy Hyundai i30 N. But there are some terrific options for even less money than both of these cars. We're big fans of the Ford Fiesta ST, which is definitely one of the best hot hatches ever and certainly one of the most fun to drive. It's full of character and its engaging handling makes it a bit of a hoot at all speeds.&nbsp;

If you’ve got a bit more money to spare, there are even faster cars available, such as the Honda Civic Type R. This latest version is sublime to drive, either on road or on a track, as it's so sweetly balanced. It's also incredibly quick in a straight line&nbsp;and round a corner, and yet it's as practical as a regular Civic.&nbsp;

Hot hatch

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Entertainingly agile handling</li> <li>Eye-widening acceleration</li> <li>Fruity exhaust note</li> <li>Punchy and characterful engine</li> <li>Great driving position</li> <li>Everyday usability</li></ul>

The best performance cars combine sports car-rivalling acceleration with&nbsp;engaging handling. However, they also retain the&nbsp;impressive everyday usability of the conventional saloons and estates on which they're based.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio currently sets the standard. However, the models from BMW's M division and Mercedes-AMG also tend to impress.

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Buying advice for the Audi RS3 covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

If you’re someone who thinks hot hatches should be about cheap thrills, the Audi RS3 isn’t for you. It starts at more than twice the price of an entry-level Audi A3 and you can spend a lot more than that if you go for range-topping Vorsprung trim or add a few options.,Then again, it’s priced roughly in line with its main rival, the Mercedes AMG A45 – and offers pretty much the same performance as the larger and more expensive Audi RS4 and BMW M3.,We’d avoid the entry-level RS3 because it misses some important features, including the RS sports exhaust, and will be less desirable on the used market in years to come because of its plainer styling.Carbon Black trim makes the most sense, adding the exhaust but also more aggressive looks and more advanced LED headlights. You’ll still want to stump up for adaptive suspension and potentially the Comfort and Sound Pack, but this is cheaper than going for Vorsprung trim.Fuel economy isn’t terrible for something this fast – you can expect close to 30mpg if you drive gently. That said, don’t expect parsimonious running costs because new tyres won’t be cheap, and the RS3 is in the highest (37%) company car tax bracket.,Audi finished 18th out of 30 manufacturers in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey. That's not a brilliant showing, and is below BMW in 13th, but it's better than Mercedes managed (it came joint 22nd).,

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