When you get to drive an Audi with an RS moniker, it rarely disappoints. But will the entry point to Audi's RS range live up to the lore? We grabbed the keys to the updated RS3 sedan to find out.
Related: Audi RS3 Sedan (2023) Review
But before we get into the details, remember that you can sell your car quickly and easily on our website here. You can also search for new or used Audi RS3 models on AutoTrader here.
Fast Facts
| Feature | Detail |
| Price (South Africa) | R 1 528 200 |
| Engine | 2.5-litre, inline-5, turbocharged, petrol |
| Power Output (Max) | |
| Torque Output (Max) | |
| Top Speed | |
| Transmission | 7-speed S tronic (automated dual-clutch) |
| Driven Wheels | All-Wheel Drive (quattro) |
| Suspension | RS sports suspension (Opt Adaptive) |
| Fuel Consumption (Combined) | |
| Boot Capacity | |
| Tyres (Standard Front/Rear) | 265/30 R19 Front 245/35 R19 Rear |
| Competitor Price (Mercedes-AMG A45 S hatch 4Matic+) | R 1 457 119 |
*Note that all figures were correct at the time of writing; however, they can change at any time and without notice.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Engine: The 2.5-litre inline-5 delivers a thrilling, linear, and high-revving power delivery, accompanied by an authentic, rousing exhaust note.
Handling: The RS Sport suspension does a good job of mitigating body roll.
Gearbox: The 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission remains a smooth and fast option in the RS range, offering seamless shifts and a comfortable ride in traffic.
Practical design: The four-door sedan body offers ample space for rear occupants and a generous boot space for added luggage.
Interior: The interior is futuristic-looking, with Audi Sport seats, Dinamica inserts, and a cabin that perfectly reflects the character of the RS3.
Cons
Pricey options: The unit driven was the Carbon Edition, which has an R82 500 premium over the standard Audi RS3 sedan quattro.
Suspension: The suspension can become uncomfortable for passengers over longer journeys and on rough roads in South Africa.
- Low ground clearance: The low ground clearance means you will have to be very careful over speed bumps or imperfect roads.
Low floor: With such a low floor, even with the seat set relatively high, getting in or out of the RS3 can be challenging.
Styling
Up front, the hexagonal single-frame grille and bumper design have been updated for a more aggressive appearance. The air dams flanking the grille, now featuring three apertures, also exhibit a sportier design. With the Carbon Edition, the blades in the air dams are made from carbon fibre. While the overall design of the Matrix LED headlamps remains the same, the redesigned DRLs provide owners with three new daytime running light configurations to choose from, our favourite being the chequered flag pattern.
Down the sides, you get the 19-inch motorsport design wheels, which further highlight the sporty nature, and then once again, carbon fibre features on the side skirting as part of the Carbon Edition package. The same theme continues with the mirror caps; however, Audi retained the gloss black window surrounds.
Step to the rear and quickly noticeable is the updated rear bumper, which now offers three vertical reflectors, one in the centre of the new RS-specific diffuser. The two oval tailpipe trims remain in place as a signature of the range. Again, like with the headlamps, the overall shape of the taillamps is retained; however, the internal clusters have been upgraded now with an arrow-like design.
Customers can have the RS3 in a range of RS-specific exterior colours, such as Kyalami Green or the Kemora Grey our test unit came with, or one of the new metallic paints, Ascari Blue or Progressive Red. And with the 2025 model range, the German automaker has added Daytona Gray in a matte finish to the colour options.
Drivetrain & performance
Nearly 50 years ago, Audi introduced its first 5-cylinder engine in the Audi 100. Later, a turbocharged 5-pot configuration was used in the Group B-winning Audi Sport Quattro, where early versions produced approximately 331kW and 460 Nm of torque. Now the entry point to the Audi RS range, the RS3 also comes with a 294 kW and 500 Nm, 2.5-litre, turbocharged, inline-5 petrol engine, as well as number plates and seats for the whole family.
Couple this performance motor with the quattro system and the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, and you will go from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h. You can also optionally specify that the top speed limiter gets adjusted to 290 km/h. The performance is linear and predictable.
Overall, the combination of the forces experienced while driving fast, the noise from the turbocharged 5-pot motor and the aggressive yet smooth shifts from the transmission left a big smile on my face. In fact, even as a performance car enthusiast, the RS3 strikes a good balance, which, unlike some of its faster siblings, such as the RS6, won't scare you but rather give you a lot of enjoyment.
Interior & technology
Step inside the RS3 and a dark and moody interior greets you. In front of the driver features a new steering wheel which offers gloss black button panels, not touch sensitive but rather actual buttons which we appreciate. Below those are striking red shortcut buttons to the RS Individual and RS Performance drive modes, the latter being the most aggressive setting.
Behind the steering wheel sits the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus display, which can be customised with a variety of views, including Sport, Performance, and Runway. Drivers can quickly access information such as power output, torque, g-forces, acceleration, and lap times. It can also be adjusted for navigation, entertainment or telephony. While it took some trial and error to figure out all the options, once familiar with them, it was very intuitive to use.
Look to your left and you will find a 10.1-inch Audi MMI touchscreen infotainment system compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system is very intuitive and, while physically smaller, offers a host of features and functions to access. Within the menus, you can adjust everything from the individual settings in your drive modes to the colour of the ambient lighting.
However, the overall look and feel of the interior, with the RS Sport seats fitted to the test unit, was very comfortable and provided a good amount of support in the corners. The red Dinamica inserts and red contrast stitching on the black leather seats further bolster the sporty look and feel. This, combined with the Dinamica found on the steering wheel and door cards, the red details on the HVAC vents, and the carbon fibre inserts on the dash, tells you you are in a performance car.
Space & practicality
Although the RS3 is indeed a sedan, it is primarily focused on performance. Thus, while there are five seats, we would say that it will comfortably accommodate four adult occupants, with ample leg-, shoulder-, and headroom. The 321-litre boot might not be as large as some of the larger RS models, but it will be sufficient for day-to-day use cases.
The RS3, being a performance car, is relatively low, and getting in and out can be a struggle for those with mobility issues, such as bad knees or backs. However, the door apertures are wide enough for taller or larger individuals.
Safety
Active safety and driver assistance systems:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Lane Departure Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking (with collision warning)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Intersection Collision Warning
- Turn Assist
- Driver Attention Detection
Passive safety and structural integrity:
- Airbags: 6 (Opt 8)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Pre-collision and post-collision safety systems
Fuel economy
Travelling at high speeds does mean that the claimed average fuel consumption of 8.9 L / 100 km will never appear on your digital instrument cluster; however, with a combination of spirited driving and some more frugal inputs, we managed to return an average fuel consumption figure of 9.6 L/100km over the entire test period.
Verdict
Every so often, when an Audi was discussed amongst friends, the consensus amongst them would be that the brand makes very clinical cars and that they might lack "soul", albeit being very good and good looking. This is less true for the RS3, although it remains beautiful; the performance sedan is pure fun and will leave you with a smile after almost every drive. The grunty 5-cylinder engine upfront, the futuristic-looking interior, and the performance that will make you want to challenge cars more suited to the RS6 give the RS3 a lot of character and soul.
The only way I can describe the RS3 in one sentence is that it is like a Jack Russell Terrier: full of energy, always ready to play, and never backing down from a challenge. If you are in the market for a performance sedan, we can wholeheartedly recommend the RS3.
