Audi RS3 Review

The Audi RS3 Sportback, which is set to debut in the local market in August 2024, has a clear target audience—buyers of luxury compact cars who seek performance while balancing everyday practicality. Positioned as the entry-level performance car in Audi's RS series, its biggest highlights include the iconic 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged engine and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which ensures handling stability. During this early test drive, we focused on evaluating whether its power performance lives up to its "hot hatch" reputation, while also assessing if the practicality of the Sportback model's space can meet the needs of short family trips.

From the exterior, the RS3 Sportback continues Audi's family-style sporty design language. The honeycomb grille at the front, coupled with the RS-exclusive "quattro" badge, delivers high recognition; the LED daytime running lights on both sides adopt the iconic "arrow-shaped" design, creating a strong visual impact when lit. The body side lines are sleek, and the 19-inch multi-spoke sports wheels paired with red brake calipers directly convey its performance attributes. The rear doors feature hidden handles, maintaining the coupe-like feel of the Sportback model. At the rear, the quad round tailpipe layout is standard equipment for performance cars, while the RS-exclusive rear diffuser and small spoiler further enhance the sporty atmosphere. The LED taillights mirror the design of the front, providing a cohesive look. The overall design retains Audi's refinement while emphasizing the performance identity of the RS series through detailed elements.

Sitting inside, the RS3 Sportback’s interior continues the brand's consistent sense of technology and luxury. The dashboard features a layered design, with a 10.1-inch floating central touchscreen on the upper layer, supporting CarPlay and Android Auto for smooth operation. The lower layer is the air conditioning control area, retaining physical buttons for ease of use during driving. The steering wheel is an RS-exclusive flat-bottom sport design, wrapped in leather with a delicate texture. The left side integrates the drive mode selector, while the right side controls multimedia functions. The shift paddles are made of metal, enhancing the tactile quality of operation. The instrument cluster is a 12.3-inch full virtual cockpit, supporting multiple display modes. Switching to RS mode displays performance data such as turbo pressure and oil temperature, sparking the desire to drive. As for the seats, the front seats are 12-way electrically adjustable sports seats with excellent lateral support. The combination of leather and Alcantara materials not only enhances luxury but also provides enough grip during spirited driving. The rear seats offer an appropriate backrest angle, and the headroom and legroom are just sufficient for passengers up to 175 cm tall. However, the central tunnel has a certain height, which makes extended seating in the middle seat slightly cramped. In terms of storage space, the central console armrest box and door pockets in the front row offer sufficient capacity for daily use. The trunk has a standard capacity of 321 liters, which can be expanded by folding the rear seats, meeting the luggage needs for short trips.

Starting the car, the 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged engine immediately emits a deep roar—an iconic sound signature of the RS series. According to official data, it delivers a maximum output of 400 PS and a peak torque of 500 N·m, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.8 seconds. During actual driving, switching to Dynamic mode makes the throttle response exceptionally sensitive. You can feel a strong pushback as the car accelerates. The transmission shifts gears incredibly quickly, almost without any hesitation. Mid-range acceleration is also outstanding, offering continued power output when overtaking in the 80-120 km/h range, eliminating any concerns over insufficient power. During everyday driving in Comfort mode, the engine revs are maintained at lower levels, and the transmission shifts much more smoothly. At this point, the RS3 Sportback feels more like a tame family car, suitable for urban commuting.

In terms of handling, the RS3 Sportback's chassis is tuned for sportiness but retains a certain level of comfort. The combination of front MacPherson struts and rear four-link independent suspension provides sufficient support during cornering, with excellent control of body roll; the Quattro four-wheel-drive system distributes torque precisely in corners, ensuring no slippage even when accelerating on wet roads, offering exceptionally high stability. The steering feel of the steering wheel is steady and the directional accuracy is commendable, with each turn clearly transmitting road surface information. When encountering speed bumps or bumpy road surfaces in the city, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, avoiding excessive bumpiness for passengers and balancing practicality for daily use.

In terms of fuel consumption, we drove 50km each in congested urban routes and highways, with an average fuel consumption of about 10.2L/100km. Considering its performance-oriented nature, this result is within an acceptable range. The braking performance is also excellent, with the front ventilated disc brakes providing linear and sufficient braking force. The braking distance from 100-0km/h is approximately 35 meters, meeting the standards for performance cars. Regarding noise control, wind noise and tire noise are somewhat noticeable at high speeds but remain within an acceptable range. Engine noise is well-suppressed in comfort mode, and is only deliberately amplified in dynamic mode to enhance driving pleasure.

In summary, the 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback has very clear core strengths: the unique five-cylinder engine sound, strong performance, precise handling, and Audi's consistent sense of luxury and technological features. Compared to rivals in the same class like the BMW M240i or Mercedes-Benz AMG A35, its four-wheel-drive system has better stability on wet surfaces, and its space configuration is also more suited to daily use. This car is ideal for young people seeking performance and enjoying weekend driving fun; it can also meet the daily commuting needs of small families, balancing practicality and luxury. If you're looking for a luxury performance car that can be both "wild" and "family-friendly," the RS3 Sportback is a great choice.