New Audi RS 3 for Sale nearShorewood, IL

Is the Audi RS 3 a good car?

Yes — the Audi RS 3 is a strong pick if you want a compact performance sedan with serious pace and everyday usability. The all-generations owner rating is 5/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise its thrilling performance, impressive handling, and comfortable ride. They also highlight its power and easy drivability, with the 2025 model adding a high-quality interior and the 2018 model drawing similar praise for performance and fun-to-drive character.

Expert reviews rate the 2025 and 2022 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs are limited cargo space, a price that sits high for the class, and a few creature comforts that some shoppers may want to compare closely.

38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Audi RS 3 models reliable?

Owners consistently rate the Audi RS 3 highly for its performance, handling, and everyday drivability, and the expert review data also points to a car that feels well sorted and easy to live with. Across the model years in the data, that combination suggests a used RS 3 can be a satisfying long-term ownership choice if you prioritize a compact performance car experience.

• Owners rate the Audi RS 3 5 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk looks manageable if you choose carefully and keep up with routine maintenance.

What should I look for when buying a used Audi RS 3?

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is excellent at 91.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Park Assist Plus automated parking assistance, a 360-degree camera system, and automatic lane-centering.
• Infotainment: Audi’s Multimedia Interface (MMI) infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Fuel efficiency: It’s EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway) and our overall observed fuel economy was 22.8 mpg.

Which Audi RS 3 trim should I buy?

The 2025 Audi RS 3 offers these trims:

• RS 3: The RS 3 pairs a unique turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, AWD, adaptive damping, brake-based torque vectoring, and the RS Torque Splitter; it also adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with MMI, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 15-speaker Sonos audio system, wireless device charging, and standard driver-assist tech. It suits you if you want the full RS 3 experience, and it stands out as the best-value choice in the lineup.
• RS 3 with Carbon Optic Package: This version adds a carbon fiber rear spoiler, mirror caps, and trim pieces for the side sills and front air intakes, giving the car a more distinctive exterior look.
• RS 3 with Dynamic Plus Package: This version adds summer tires, a higher top speed, and carbon-ceramic front brakes, making it the choice for buyers who want the most track-focused hardware.
• RS 3 with Design Plus Package: This version adds accent stitching and trim in Express Red or Micromatta Green, along with a more distinctive interior presentation.

What Audi RS 3 do most buyers choose?

The Audi RS 3 years with the most listings are 2025, 2024, and 2023.

These higher-volume years tend to be the easiest places to shop because you get more inventory to compare and a better chance of finding the color, mileage, and condition you want. They also give you a clearer read on pricing and deal quality across the market.

Is the Audi RS 3 safe?

• 2025: 7/10
• 2022: 7/10

The RS 3 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Park Assist Plus automated parking assistance, a 360-degree camera system, and automatic lane-centering.

For the safest used buy, the 2022 and 2025 models both post the highest confirmed score of 7/10.

Should I buy a used Audi RS 3 now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Sweet-spot year: The 2025 model has the most listings. The Audi RS 3 offers a compact, performance-focused character with everyday usability and a high-quality interior.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The latest model pairs a unique turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and AWD, and it produces 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
• Tech: The latest model includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Audi’s Multimedia Interface (MMI), plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Safety: The latest model adds Park Assist Plus automated parking assistance, a 360-degree camera system, and automatic lane-centering.
• Starting price: Pricing starts at $67,395.

If you're buying used today, the 2025 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for the next model year's inventory to build up.

How does the 2022 Audi RS 3 compare to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2022 Audi RS 3:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Comfortable, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Not much cargo space.

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class:

• Pros: Impressive technology, Great safety ratings, Fun to drive.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Poor value for money, Irritating transmission.

Our experts score the 2022 Audi RS 3 7.8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 7.8/10. The RS 3 brings much stronger performance, while the A-Class counters with a lower starting MSRP and better fuel economy figures. If you want the more engaging driver’s car, the RS 3 stands out; if you want a more affordable luxury sedan with strong tech appeal, the A-Class is the easier value play.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.