2020 Audi RS3 Review: Aim And Fire

The Audi RS 3 is one of the greatest compact performance sedans of our time, and with it now being a regular feature on US dealer lots, we have one less thing to complain about. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo in the RS 3 has been available here for a few years now, and with 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, it's a firm favorite for those who aren't energized by the prospects of a BMW M2 Competition. However, it's no budget car with prices starting at over $56,000. That said, its unique engine note and undeniable capability on all surfaces make it one of the most usable performance cars available. All four wheels get some of the brilliant engine's output, which is managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Unlike the Bimmer, no manual option is available, but those who have sampled the S-tronic won't be too perturbed.

What's the Price of the 2020 Audi RS3?

A brand new Audi RS 3 starts at a base price of $56,200 in the USA, MSRP. Only one base model and body style is available, but a number of options can be added to enhance performance, aesthetics, convenience, and safety. A fully-loaded RS 3 with wider front tires, gloss black exterior accents, carbon-fiber interior trims, and all available safety features plus Ara Blue Crystal paint, will set you back over $65,000, with the obligatory $995 destination charge included.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Although not as fluid as a rear-wheel-drive track weapon like the M2 Competition, the RS 3 has more than enough ability to entertain in the corners. No, you can't slide it unless you don't much value your life, but the point-and-shoot style of driving that is suited to the RS3 can be just as addictive. Knowing that the quattro system is continually trying to give you the most grip allows you to push harder and harder, and the steering setup is confidence-inspiring too, weighting up appropriately in the various selectable modes. The more you turn the wheel, the quicker the car changes direction, which makes it even easier to find the apex on slow corners and allow the all-wheel-drive system to blast you out of them. The standard magnetic dampers do a phenomenal job of soaking up imperfections too, but if you're more hardcore, you can swap them out for a fixed sport suspension setup at no cost. Be warned though, this makes the RS 3 considerably stiffer and should be reserved for those who have perfect tarmac throughout their daily drive. We'd stick with the standard adjustable dampers, as they're capable of containing body roll rather well. The RS 3 is no longer available with carbon-ceramic discs, but this isn't a big loss as the standard brakes are fade-free and much easier to modulate in town.

Verdict: Is the 2020 Audi RS 3 A Good Sedan?

The RS 3 is a magnificent sports car that just happens to have four doors. All-weather grip and maximum attack traction are its most obvious benefits, but the outstanding five-cylinder turbo engine is brilliant too. The fact that it's a sedan gives it an air of class too, looking more grown-up than the hatch that the rest of the world has access to. With four doors, it's a more practical option than the BMW M2 Competition, despite the Bimmer having a larger trunk. The BMW will probably be more fun for the experienced driver, particularly in the bends, but the advantage of the RS 3 is that anyone can access its abilities and enjoy driving it hard. In addition, the interior is beautifully crafted with copious swathings of Nappa leather and Alcantara, and the infotainment system is phenomenal. With acceleration that can make supercar owners wary, the RS 3 is almost perfect as the ultimate one-car-garage filler. It is quite expensive, but with such astonishing performance and great safety reviews, it's worth it.

What Audi RS3 Model Should I Buy?

With mostly aesthetic upgrades available, we'd save that money and rather upgrade the RS3's capabilities by speccing the Dynamic package with its wider tires and adaptive exhaust. It's worth the extra thousand bucks just to be able to fully appreciate the five-pot's glorious snarl. We'd keep the standard magnetic damping in place, thus allowing for a more comfortable ride without sacrificing too much in the way of ultimate handling performance. The money saved on exterior and interior niceties that are nothing more than eye candy can be spent on the $2,000 navigation package and the driver assistance package, adding blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. All in, this keeps the RS3 under $60,000 and makes for a car that is both comfortable and genuinely exciting.

2020 Audi RS3 Comparisons

2020 Audi RS3 vs BMW M2

The Audi RS 3's astonishing performance and hefty price tag put it squarely in the sights of a more performance-focused machine that doesn't deal with frivolities like all-wheel-drive or "only" five cylinders. The BMW M2 Competition has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six borrowed from the M3, albeit slightly detuned. With 405 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, it's a drift-happy monster that can just as easily stick it hard in the corners. Despite its comparable weight of 3,600 lbs (the RS 3 is seven pounds lighter), the M2 isn't a lardy machine - not excessively so anyway. With precise balance, outstanding acceleration, and joyous steering, it's been hailed as the best M car you can buy today, if not ever. It also has a larger trunk than the RS 3. Overall, the M2 Comp is going to be the much more exciting car to live with. However, it may not be easier to live with. Gas mileage is worse, with a combined figure of 20 mpg to the Audi's 23, and before you tick any options, you already need $58,900 to qualify for ownership. With a coupe body style, you also can't fit anyone bigger than the average child in the back. The BMW is the better driver's car and will undoubtedly impress with a test drive, but the Audi is the more sensible option. It's always been this way, and likely always will.

2020 Audi RS3 vs Audi S3 Sedan

The RS 3's little brother, the S3 sedan, is a tempting choice for those who find the five-pot a little pricey or a bit too expensive at the pumps. The S3 sedan starts at a base price almost $10k cheaper than the RS, at just $43,000. But how much do you get for this drop in price? You get the same gearbox and quattro all-wheel-drive system, the same size trunk, and most of the same options. The S3 isn't slow either, offering 288 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Combined, it'll achieve 3 mpg more than the RS, making it more economical. You can also spec it with the same excellent B&O sound system, the same driver-assistance equipment, the same seats, the same magnetic dampers, and the same 12.3-inch driver info display. Unfortunately, the RS 3's engine is too characterful to ignore, and given the choice, we'd happily forgo all the luxuries and niceties just to hear the five-pot every day.