2020 Audi RS 3

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Rating7.5

Ranked #6 in 

Subcompact Sedan
Write Review
$56,200
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Breath-taking performance

Average Cargo Capacity

Sport Suspension made as an optional extra

Tech and Feature Loaded Cabin

Stiffer ride when compared to rivals

New standard storage package includes two USB charge ports for the rear seats and a 12V outlet for the trunk

Sturdy Interiors

Compact Rear Seating

Functional Exterior Sporty Enhancements

Specs & Features

$56,200

price

394 hp @ 5850 rpm

horsepower

354 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

torque

TBD

transmission

2.5L 5cyl AWD 7AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Audi RS3 has always been the pinnacle of the A3 range in terms of the performance it offered to its customers. Audi gave the RS3 a major revamp in 2017, and the 2020 Audi RS3 gets no significant updates. Audi hasn't made a lot of changes to the exteriors but has given the 2020 RS3 a new standard storage pack that bundles in two USB ports for the rear seats.

The 2020 Audi RS3 specs remain the same, including the 2.5-liter inline-five motor with 394 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. With that output, the 2020 Audi RS3 0–60 sprint takes just 3.5 seconds while reaching a top speed of 155 mph. The 2020 RS3 price starts at an MSRP of $56,200, making it a bang for the buck. Check out Raiti's Rides video, in which the reviewer considers it to be a driver's car with a well-balanced chassis.

Buying Advice

The 2020 Audi RS3 comes in just one trim and state of tune and hence, we can only recommend the one on sale.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Speaking of pricing, the 2020 Audi RS3 comes in just 1 trim and has been priced at $57,195. You can add a lot of optional equipment to the RS3 that will further accentuate the prices. The Primary rivals to the 2020 Audi RS3 includes the Jaguar XE S, Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG and the Kia Stinger GT.

Features
8.0/10

Audi continues to offers the RS3 in just a single trim for 2020 as well. This trim gets all the bells and whistles from the top trim of the S3 and gets sporty enhancements as well. You still get premium features like a Premium Audio System, Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control, Ambient LED Interior Lighting and a lot more.

Trim

2.5 TFSI

MSRP

$57,195

Features

Fine Nappa Leather Seats with RS Embossing, Contrast Diamond Stiching

 

Full LED headlights with Dynamic Rear Indicators

 

Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System

 

RS Tuned Audi Magnetic Ride

 

RS Specific Front Fascia, Rear Bumper and Diffuser

we recommend

The 2020 Audi RS3 comes in just one trim and state of tune and hence, we can only recommend the one on sale.

Fuel Economy
7.5/10

People going for performance sports cars hardly take into account, the MPG figures of their vehicles. But for when they do, Audi has ensures that the MPG figures of the 2020 Audi RS3 doesn't disappoint them.

The 2020 Audi RS3 delivers and overall 22MPG and 28MPG on the highway. On the city, the RS3 manages to dish out a respectable 19MPG.

Model

Audi RS3 Quattro AWD

Jaguar XE S AWD

Kia Stinger GT2 AWD

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45

MPG (City)

19

20

19

23

MPG (Highway)

28

29

25

29

MPG (Combined)

22

23

21

26

Fuel Capacity(Gallons)

14.5

16.6

15.9

14.8

Range(City/Hwy)

275.5/406 Miles

332/481 Miles

270/398 Miles

340/444 Miles

Speaking of MPG figures, its the Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG that takes top honors in being the best among its rivals. The Jaguar sneaks in the second spot with its impressive 23MPG combined figure. The Kia has to do with the last spot in this test.

Interior
9.0/10

The Audi RS3's compact footprint means it has to make concessions for back seat space, providing another reason the driver's seat is the place to be. Car Connection

Audi positions the 2020 RS3 as a hardcore sports car but has not skipped on providing comfort inside. The 2020 RS3 comes with Fine Nappa Leather Seats with perforated contrast diamond stitching and the RS embossing. The Extendable support on the front sport seats adds to the convenience of the driver and the passenger. The thigh and lumbar support in the racing inspired seats is enough to keep the occupants in comfort for those long road journeys.

Heating functionality on the front seats and the power adjust for the seats ensures the passengers have no issues in adjusting the seats as per their preferences. The seats themselves offer enough padding to not tire out the passengers occupying them and ensure that they don't feel tired after a long drive.

Model

Audi RS3 Quattro AWD

Jaguar XE S AWD

Kia Stinger GT2 AWD

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

36.5/54.8//41.2

N/A

38.3/56.4/42.6

40/54.8/41.9

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

36.1/53.0/35.1

N/A

37.0/54.8/36.4

38.2/53.1/27.3

If we were to complain about something, it would be the lack of space on the rear passenger side. The Sloping roofline and the compact proportions on the back, adds to the claustrophobic feel of the Audi. The competition on the other hand, excels in offering a far better space for the rear passengers. Overall, its the Merc that manages to outrun all other cars in this comparison and the Kia comes in second in the same aspect.

Interior Features

Some of the highlights of the 2020 Audi RS3's interiors include:

  • Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
  • Flat Bottom Steering Wheel with Paddle Shifters and Tilt and Telescopic Adjust
  • Ambient LED Interior Lighting
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Stainless Steel Pedal Caps
  • One-Touch Up/Down power windows with pinch protection
  • Folding Front Center Arm Rest
  • Illuminated Aluminum Race Inlays and Door Sill inlays with RS Badge
  • Auto-Dimming Interior Rear View Mirror with Digital Compass

Cargo Capacity

Cargo space is another one of those areas, where a driving enthusiast looks the least for in his car. Audi may have taken that thought seriously and has not bothered to make the cargo practical. There are a lot of cubby holes and spaces on the inside but its the rear cargo area that dampens the sense of practicality.

The Split Folding 40/40/20 rear seats, however, manage to garner some lost ground for the Audi in terms of practicality as they add to the overall cargo area of the RS3.

Model

Audi RS3 Quattro AWD

Jaguar XE S AWD

Kia Stinger GT2 AWD

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45

Volume (ft cube)

10.0

14.7

23.3

13.1

The Kia Stinger GT once again comes out as the most practical sports sedan of the lot with its massive cargo space. The Jag takes the second spot in this respect and the Merc comes out third.

Infotainment

Audi has been famed for its Infotainment System, specifically its MMI(Multi-Media Interface) unit because of its ease of use, responsiveness, and features on offer. The 2020 Audi RS3 boasts of a lot of Features on the infotainment front, irrespective of its sporty credentials. Here is a list of some of the cool features on offer

  • Color DIS
  • 10 Speaker 180W Single CD Audio System with HD and Sirius XM Radio
  • USB Port for data and Charging, Bluetooth Streaming and Wireless connection for phones
  • Apple Car Play, Android Auto support
  • Rear View Camera
  • Audi Drive Select

Exterior
9.0/10

Tidy exterior styling and a spartan but high-tech interior give the 2020 Audi RS3 an appealing overall look. Car Connection

To make the 2020 Audi RS3 worthy of an RS badge, Audi has made a lot of changes to the standard A3 and spruced it up accordingly. The Wide Front bumper intake and the single frame mesh grille, make the RS3 stand out from its other siblings. The huge side skirts and the dual exhausts add to the performance appearance of the RS3. The 19 Alloy Wheels add to the flair of the 2020 Audi RS3 and gives it a racy appeal.

Speaking of proportions, the RS3 is the shortest in length among its rivals and has similar dimensions when compared to the others. The Wheelbase is the shortest among the rest and the weight is comparable to the others as well.

Model

Audi RS3 Quattro AWD

Jaguar XE S AWD

Kia Stinger GT2 AWD

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG

Curb weight (lbs)

3593

3915

4023

3450

Length(in)

176.3

183.9

190.2

184.7

Width(in)

70.7

77.4

73.6

70.0

Height(in)

55.0

56.1

55.1

55.7

Ground clearance(in)

N/A

N/A

N/A

3.7

Wheelbase(in)

103.6

111.6

114.4

106.3

In terms of the other cars in this segment, the Kia Stinger is the biggest among the others. The Jag takes the leads the pack when it comes to width and the height of the vehicle, making it the most cumbersome to move around in the city.

Exterior Features

Few highlights of the Exteriors of the 2020 Audi RS3 includes

  • 19" 5-Spoke Alloy wheels
  • Automatic Full LED Headlights with Washers
  • LED Taillights with dynamic turn signals
  • Power Adjustable, Folding, Heated and Auto Dimming Exterior Rear View Mirrors with integrated Led Turn signals
  • Front and Rear Parking sensors
  • Body Color Rear Lip Spoiler
  • RS Specific oval exhaust tips, front fascia, side sills, rear bumpers, diffuser

Safety
8.0/10

Even though IIHS and NHTSA haven't tested the 2020 Audi RS3, we do have the list of Safety features that the Audi comes loaded with to ensure the peace of mind of the passengers.

Safety Features

  • Front, Knee, Thorax Side, Head Curtain Airbags with occupant detection
  • Power Central locking with safety unlock for when the airbags deploy
  • ABS with EBD and brake Assist
  • ESC with secondary collision brake assist and traction control
  • Anti-Theft System with Immobilizer
  • TPMS with LATCH for rear seats

Competition
6.0/10

Audi RS3 vs. Jaguar XE S

There is not much differentiating the Jaguar XE S and the Audi RS3 in terms of pricing. The Jaguar XE S is the only Car in our comparison to come with a supercharged motor. The Jaguar, also feels a bit more plusher inside and is a bit more frugal to live with.

The Jag is leagues ahead of the Audi in terms of Interior comfort offered as well. But the Jaguar, with its big proportions is a liability to drive in the city and is a little less fun to drive than the Audi. If however we were to suggest one among these, we would lean towards the Audi just because of its immaculate Build Quality and Fun factor on offer.

Audi RS3 vs. Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG

The CLA 45 AMG from Mercedes and the Audi RS3 are similar in a lot of ways. Both have superb builds, amazing infotainment systems and are a hoot to drive. But the Mercedes takes a clear in terms of comfort for passengers , Cargo Space on offer and the $3,000 price gap. The Audi sure is the more sportier car to drive but we feel that the CLA 45 AMG is the better buy of the 2.

Audi RS3 vs. Kia Stinger GT

The Kia Stinger GT was conceived by Kia, to shake the market occupied and dominated by brands like Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar. Kia has sure managed to make a mark on the market among its arrival. The Kia offers superb value in terms of price, performance and practicality. It sure may not be the best built car in the segment but with the kind of features on offer, it does justify its price.

The Audi RS3 on the other hand is a proper sports saloon that handles like a sports car, built like a tank and feels like a premium saloon. SO, unless your are looking for a German badge Car, we would advise you to stick to the Kia as it offers a better value against the german.

Final Verdict

The Audi RS3 offers everything what a consumer looking for a car in this segment wants. It offers exhilarating performance, feels premium to sit inside, build like a tank and offers the luxury of a luxury saloon. Sure the Audi may not be best suited for people who want to carry more than a couple with them but other than that, the Audi will bring a smile to your face every time you take it out for a drive. So, if you are in the market, looking for the most powerful sports saloon that can ferry 4 people, has all the bells and whistles of a luxury saloon and is a hoot to look at, the 2020 Audi RS3 is the one to get.

How much does it cost to own an Audi RS3?

For an average, it costs around $18,000 to own an Audi RS3 which includes the premium costs, fuel cost, and other necessary taxes. So, if you are thinking to et yourself an Audi RS3 for your next birthday then keep these expenses in mind and then go ahead with your purchase.

How reliable is the Audi RS3?

Audi RS3 is the top of the range performance model of the A3 sedan. Build quality of RS3 is top-notch keeping safety and performance in mind. The engine is very robust and is capable of handling more power and torque with ease. 

How is the after-sales service of Audi?

Audi is a well known and established brand in the country with around a thousand dealers across the country. Every service center is well equipped with all the necessary equipment to tackle any of the problems arising out in any condition. In recent years Audi has evolved around their build quality which makes it one of the best sellers in the segment.

Trims

    Base
    $56,200 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 5cyl AWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 394 hp @ 5850 rpm hp
    • Torque: 354 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 3.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 155 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$56,200

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.55

Horsepower

394 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

354 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$43,000- $45,600

Gasoline

7.6

288 hp @ 5400 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 1900 rpm

5

Read Review

$39,900- $46,295

Gasoline

7.1

247 hp @ 5500 rpm

269 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$44,950

Gasoline

7.36

302 hp @ 5800 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

2020 Audi RS 3 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    3.9 sec12.5 sec155 mph
    2020 Audi S3

    Ranked #2

    4.7 sec13.6 sec155 mph
    4.71 sec--
    6.2 sec14.3 sec155 mph

    2020 Audi RS 3 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      19 mpg28 mpg23 mpg14.5 gal.- -
      25 mpg34 mpg28 mpg16.6 gal.415/564.4 mi.
      24 mpg31 mpg27 mpg13.5 gal.324/418.5 mi.
      2020 Audi S3

      Ranked #3

      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg14.5 gal.-

      2020 Audi RS 3 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        176.3 in.70.7 in.55 in.4.29 in.103.6 in.
        184.2 in.77.4 in.55.7 in.4.5 in.111.6 in.
        179.4 in.70.7 in.55.6 in.3.6 in.107.4 in.
        2020 Audi S3

        Ranked #4

        175.8 in.70.7 in.54.8 in.-103.6 in.

        2020 Audi RS 3 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          --13.2 cu.ft.
          14.5 cu.ft.91 cu.ft.14.5 cu.ft.
          2020 Audi S3

          Ranked #2

          --59.7 cu.ft.
          8.6 cu.ft.--

          2020 Audi RS 3 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            13.2 cu.ft.-13.2 cu.ft.232 ft.
            120.1 cu.ft.14.5 cu.ft.14.5 cu.ft.-
            -8.6 cu.ft.--
            2020 Audi S3

            Ranked #4

            59.7 cu.ft.-59.7 cu.ft.-

            2020 Audi RS 3 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              992 lbs.- -
              -3385 lbs.
              -3461 lbs. -
              2020 Audi S3

              Ranked #1

              1102 lbs.3461 lbs. -

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              2020 Audi RS 3

              Horsepower : 394 hp @ 5850 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 3.9 sec

              #10