2017 Audi RS3

Overview

Audi pioneered a new segment in the entry-level premium field with its Volkswagen Golf-based A3, first imported to the U.S. for 2006. By the time the second-generation model entered the U.S. market for the 2015 model year, Mercedes-Benz had joined the segment with its front-wheel-drive CLA-class, while Acura tickled the lower end of the class with its ILX. To bolster their prestige as premium-luxury brands, Audi and Mercedes have introduced highly tuned performance variants of their entry compacts. In the case of Audi, it has complemented the A3 with the performance-based S3 and the ultra-high-performance, ultra-low-volume RS3, a halo car that combines 400 horsepower and Quattro all-wheel drive to evoke the German brand’s legendary rally race cars of the 1980s. While the A3 is sold as a sedan or a convertible, the RS3 comes only as a four-door sedan.

What's New for 2017?

Audi brought the RS3 to the U.S. market in mid-2017, based on the second-generation A3 that premiered in the 2015 model year. The RS3 arrived in the U.S. market with the A3’s 2017 facelift, which includes slimmer headlamps, new front fascia, and the latest version of Audi’s single-frame grille, plus 19-inch wheels and summer performance tires. The RS3 came to the U.S. market in the summer of 2017 as a 2018 model, but a few ’17 models trickled in ahead of the official launch.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The RS3 squeezes out 400 horsepower—a muscle-car number for a compact four-door sedan—from its turbocharged 20-valve 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine, coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic sending power to all four wheels. This catapults the RS3 from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds (in Car and Driver testing) on the way to an electronically limited 155 mph. However, the optional Dynamic Plus package removes the electronic nanny and lets the sedan run to 174 mph. Dynamic Plus also deletes the standard RS3’s adjustable dampers, which makes for a stiffer suspension, effective in tightening the handling, though it can be too harsh on poorly kept roads. The RS3’s skidpad and braking numbers fall slightly short of the Mercedes-AMG CLA45 and Honda Civic Type R, but they still add up to what we called one of the most entertaining Audis on the road.

View Photos

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

With a 106-inch wheelbase, the Audi RS3’s interior space is typical for a compact sedan, with comfortable front-seat space but a back seat that is sure to elicit complaints from adult-size occupants, especially if three try to squeeze in. Trunk space is an average 10 cubic feet. The cabin is little upgraded from the standard S3 sedan, which has the exquisite fit and finish we’ve come to expect of Audi interiors. It’s nicely equipped and high-tech. The RS badge adds a faux-suede gearshift knob and flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum trim inlays and heated, leather-covered front sport seats. An optional, $1,000 RS package adds lots of red accents and contrast stitching to offset the otherwise dark interior, as well as additional USB outlets in back.

View Photos

Infotainment and Connectivity

The RS3 comes standard with Audi’s virtual cockpit and the brand’s signature MMI touchpad-controlled system. Standard features include a 7.0-inch display, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system with satellite radio.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Audi RS3’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.