2020 Audi RS 3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Audi’s A3 subcompact executive sedan, like many Audis, comes in three distinct flavors. The standard A3 is a nicely appointed and fun-to-drive little luxury car with adequate performance. The S3 turns things up a notch in the performance department with more power and sharper handling. The RS 3, meanwhile, is a properly fast car equally at home on a track or on a road trip. In typical Audi fashion, the RS 3 looks slightly more aggressive than the A3 and S3 but still has an understated appearance compared to other cars with similar performance. A new version of the car is in the works, so the RS 3 goes into 2020 largely unchanged.
The S3 that slots below this car is already potent with 288 horsepower in a relatively small package. The RS 3 is in an entirely different league with 394 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque from its 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder. In addition to the power, this engine also makes a unique (and pleasing) exhaust note that stands out from the rest of the sporty sedan crowd. Cracking through shifts with its 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) and driving all 4 wheels via the quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, the RS 3 will do 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but an available Dynamic Plus package raises this figure to 174 mph.
The Dynamic Plus package also comes with fixed sport suspension instead of the standard adaptive dampers as well as front ceramic brakes. Audi’s Drive select feature offers Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Sport, and Individual driving modes that adjust steering, throttle response, shift timing, and damper settings. Sipping premium fuel, the car will return 19 mpg city, 28 highway, and 23 combined.
The interior of the RS 3 is largely similar to the rest of the range, but there is a flat-bottom steering wheel and plenty of “RS” logos throughout to remind you of the car’s sporting intentions. Other standard features include heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Options include a digital gauge cluster with integrated Google Maps, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, and a Technology package that adds built-in navigation, a WiFi hotspot, handwriting recognition, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that Audi calls the Virtual Cockpit. Given the RS 3’s compact size, the back seats aren’t exactly cavernous. The RS 3 hasn’t been crash-tested, but the A3 is received Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating in testing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The RS 3 is expensive for its size but not all that expensive for its performance or relative to its competitors. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is Audi’s most direct competitor. The BMW M2, while only available as a 2-door and more aggressively styled, also offers similar performance at a similar price.
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2020 Audi RS 3 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 10GB hard drive · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · HD radio · Remote CD: DVD audio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 705 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 14.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: aluminium · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Manual adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.45 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · Battery: maintenance-free · Battery rating: 420 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: anti-trapping feature
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: myAudi with Audi connect · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse