2023 Audi RS 3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Five-cylinder engines once ruled Audi’s performance lineup, but they’ve fallen out of favor as V6s, V8s, and even turbocharged four-cylinders took over. The automaker still offers a funky five in the RS 3, and the car got a major overhaul for 2023. The new model is sharper, more powerful, and more tech-filled than its predecessor, and its performance numbers are off the charts. On top of that, it sports a reasonable starting price and solid standard equipment that helps it live up to its luxury nameplate.
Audi says the new RS 3 is its most powerful yet. The car’s 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque propel it to 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds, and it can go on to a top speed of 155 mph. Optional upgrades open the top speed to 180 mph, though it’s hard to imagine how or where anyone would use all of the available speed. The turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi’s excellent Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
That AWD uses a system of electronically controlled clutches to send torque to either of the rear wheels, depending on the situation. The system sends torque to the rear outside wheel to help reduce understeer, and the behavior changes based on the selected drive mode. For example, the Dynamic Mode sends as much torque as possible to the rear wheels, while the RS Torque Rear Mode allows drifting.
The car rides on 19-inch wheels, and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires are available. Audi offers a carbon package that adds carbon fiber exterior trim, a unique rear spoiler, and aero bodywork. Matrix LED headlights come standard, and the system displays a welcome lighting sequence when the driver approaches the vehicle.
A 12.3-inch configurable digital cockpit comes standard. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit allows the driver to select maps, vehicle information, and other displays within the gauge cluster. It’s paired with a 10.1-inch infotainment display that runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The center touchscreen also functions as a performance information display, with information on coolant, engine, and oil temperatures, g-forces, and tire pressures.
Though it’s a performance car, Audi still needs to equip driver aids to keep everyone as safe as possible. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, and a parking assistance system. The new RS 3 hasn’t been crash tested yet; the standard A3 scored a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when it was last rated in 2019. The new car comes with more and better driver aids, so the results should be at least similar to, if not better than, the previous car’s.
Audi says the 2023 RS3 will go on sale in summer 2022. The car carries a starting price of $59,925, which includes a $1,095 destination charge. Buyers may also consider the Volkswagen Golf R, BMW M235i, or a Hyundai N-branded vehicle.
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2023 Audi RS 3 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 14.8 · Front brake width: 1.34 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brake width: 0.87 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: aluminium · Dash trim: carbon · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: leatherette · 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
Active parking system: driver controlled brake, gas and gear selection · Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB-C rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.45 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free · Battery rating: 320 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: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: decklid · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 10.1 in. · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.5
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · 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: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · 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: lock operation
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation