• News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
  • News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
Sign up Now (For Free)

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest automotive news in your inbox!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
News
Read Now
  • All News
  • Automakers
  • Automobiles
  • Auto Shows
  • Business
  • EVs & Environment
  • Guides
  • Lawsuits/Legal
  • Regulatory
  • Ride-Sharing
  • Safety & Recalls
  • Technology
Recent
  • The Rearview Mirror: All That the Name Implies
  • Top Tips for Improving EV Range in Cold Weather
  • Mercedes is First Automaker to Offer True Level 3 Hands-Free Driving System in the U.S.
  • Audi Introduces Fourth “Sphere” Concept: Activesphere
  • Jaguar Land Rover Posts First Profitable Quarter in Two Years
  • Musk Confirms Cybertruck Production Tracking for End of 2023
  • Polestar Raises its Game with the 2024 Polestar 2
  • Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda Steps Down, Hands Reins to Lexus Chief Koji Sato
  • Environmental Groups Chide GM for ICE Investments
  • Tesla Sets New Financial Benchmarks, But Misses Analysts Targets
Editor’s Choice
    Reviews
    Read Now
    • All Reviews
      • Feeder
    • Classic Cars
    • Concept Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Crossovers/CUVs
    • Diesel
    • Hot hatches
    • Hybrids
    • Luxury Vehicles
    • Minivans
    • Muscle Cars
    • Pickups
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Super Cars
    • SUVs
    Recent Reviews
    • A Week With: 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R 4x4 Super Crew
    • A Week With: 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD
    • A Week With: 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 V-8
    • First Drive: 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport
    • A Week With: 2023 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
    • A Week With: 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate
    • A Week With: 2023 Genesis GV60 Performance
    • A Week With: 2023 Chevrolet Suburban Z71
    • A Week With: 2023 Lexus UX 250h F Sport
    • A Week With: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4Matic
    Editor’s Choice
      Guides
      Car Warranty
      • Endurance Warranty Reviews
      • BMW Extended Warranty
      • Extended Warranty For Cars Over 100k Miles
      • Extended Car Warranty Cost
      • Subaru Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Reviews
      • CarShield Cost
      • Aftermarket Car Warranty
      • CARCHEX Warranty Reviews
      • Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
      • Used Car Warranty Companies
      • Best Car Warranty
      • Is CarShield A Scam?
      • Mercedes Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Plans
      Insurance
      • How To Identify A Car Insurance Company
      • Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • How Far Back Does A Car Insurance Company Look
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance For Used Cars
      • State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance From Progressive
      • Dollar A Day Insurance
      • Auto Insurance For SSI Recipients
      • Car Insurance Rates After A Suspended License
      • Auto Insurance For Salvage Vehicles
      • Average Cost of Dodge Ram 1500 Car Insurance
      • Car Insurance Florida
      • Full Coverage Auto Insurance
      • GrubHub Insurance
      • Amazon Delivery Auto Insurance
      Shipping
      • Car Shipping Companies
      • uShip Reviews
      • Auto Shipping From California To Hawaii
      • Montway Auto Transport Reviews
      • Cheap Car Shipping
      • Easy Auto Ship Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Miami
      • Auto Shipping To Alaska
      • Car Shipping Cost
      • Auto Shipping Hawaii
      • Auto Shipping Puerto Rico
      • Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Atlanta
      • Auto Shipping Boston
      • Auto Shipping. Chicago
      About
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Affiliate Disclosure
      • Sitemap
      TheDetroitBureau.com

      More than just “another” place to find news, reviews, spy shots, commentary, features, and guides about the auto industry. TheDetroitBureau doesn’t stop with the press releases or confuse a few lines of opinion with insightful, in-depth reporting.

      Contact Us

      Like what you see? Have some ideas for making The Detroit Bureau.com even better? Let us know, we’d love to hear your voice.

        Media
        Listen Now
        • Headlight News: All Episodes
        More from TheDetroitBureau
        • Guides
        • Latest News
        • Auto Reviews
        • Podcasts
        Headlight News

        TheDetroitBureau.com’s Headlight News offers a look at the past week’s top automotive news stories, as well as what’s coming up in the week ahead. Check out the week’s top story and our latest review…along with a dive into the past with this week in automotive history.

        home > reviews > A Week With: 2023 Audi RS3

        A Week With: 2023 Audi RS3

        Proof that big thrills come in small packages

        Larry Printz
        Larry Printz , Assistant Managing Editor
        Jan. 05, 2023
        The 2023 Audi RS3’s flared front fenders and massive exhaust signal its intent.

        Small, but mighty, the 2023 Audi RS3 is the hottest of the Audi A3 variants, of which we have already sung praise. Yes, it shares quite a bit with the front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf, but such rational concerns disappear once you’ve experienced this racy automotive tidbit, one with 50% more horsepower of the 201-horsepower A3, and nearly 24% more than the 306-horsepower S3. 

        We tested a 2022 RS3, although it carries over unchanged for 2023. Pricing has been updated to reflect current vehicle cost.

        Overview

        The Audi RS3 is a compact high-performance sports sedan that battles such luxury compact stalwarts as the BMW M240i, Cadillac CT4 V-Series, Lexus IS 500, and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and comes in a single trim level with a handful of options. Our test car included Python Yellow paint ($595); the RS technology Package with Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and head-up display ($2,750); RS Sport Exhaust with black tips ($1,000); a Black Optic Plus Package that included 19-inch summer tires ($750) and Audi Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Assist ($350). In all, it cost $67,090, a typical price for this breed of high-performance compact sedans.

        The 2023 Audi RS3’s matrix LED headlamps sport a checked flag pattern.

        Exterior

        The RS3’s design exhibits a subtle menace that clearly states its objectives for those who are paying attention. The flared front fenders, two-inch wider front track, and athletic footwear telegraph this vehicle will fulfill your need for speed.

        Yet its size is perfect for urban environs, not to mention keeping overall weight down, which makes for stellar 0-60 mph runs. And its overall demeanor, while aggressive, seems refined. The Matrix LED headlamps with a checkered flag design is a neat touch. And the $1,000 RS Sport Exhaust with black tips are menacingly massive.

        Interior

        The 2023 Audi RS3’s interior is typically Audi: contemporary and sophisticated, but not overstated.

        Compacts rarely get nicer cabins than this one, with supportive, firm quilted leather sport seats, ambient lighting and an instrument panel dominated by Audi’s Multimedia Interface touchscreen, or MMI for short.

        As is common in Audis, the instrument cluster view can be changed to a number of different configurations, including a performance-oriented, RS-specific layout. Interior quality is superb, although rear seat legroom is dependent on the kindness of those in front. And truck volume is meager, even for the class, measuring 8.3 cubic feet. Similarly, interior storage space is minimal, with a surprisingly shallow center console bin. But the short stubby shifter is easy to use, and its diminutive size doesn’t rob space like a traditional shifter. 

        Powertrain

        Of course, the 2023 Audi RS3 has quilted leather seats.

        The 2023 Audi RS3 is the only Audi sold in America possessing what many consider one of the brand’s defining assets: a five-cylinder engine. In this case, it displaces 2.5 liters and produces 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

        Its four-wheel drive system is unique, however. Dubbed the RS Torque Splitter, it’s a torque-vectoring rear-axle differential, distributing drive torque to the rear axle and allowing for it to be fully variable between the rear wheels. Audi says the result is better stability, especially on wet ground, and improved agility during fast cornering.

        The RS Torque Splitter also increases drive torque while cornering to the outside wheel to reduce understeer. The system is fully integrated into the RS3’s driving modes, which include Comfort (mostly front-wheel drive), Auto, Dynamic, RS Torque Rear (its most aggressive, for drifting) and RS Performance (for track use to minimize understeer and oversteer). 

        The standard RS’s suspension sits 0.39 inch lower than the Audi S3, and 0.98 inch lower than A3 and is fitted with RS-spec springs, dampers, and sway bars.

        Safety and Technology

        2023 Audi RS3’s trunk goes far forward, but isn’t very deep. Thankfully, the rear seats fold for added storage.

        The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has only rated the RS3 for rollover protection, for which it gives four stars. It has not rated the A3 at all, nor has The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Adaptive Cruise Control, High Beam Assist, and Park Assist are standard. Our car had Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Assist, a $350 option. Lane Departure Warning is also available. 

        A 10.1-inch infotainment screen allows the driver to access the car’s coolant, engine, transmission oil temperatures, as well as the g-forces and tire pressure figures. Adding the $2,750 RS technology Package brings with it an impressive sounding Bang & Olufsen sound system and a head-up display that adds a margin of safety during aggressive driving. The wireless device charger, located on the center console, is angled forward and down and features a rubberized mat, all of which keep your phone in place while you’re busy extricating the RS3’s performance. 

        Driving Impressions

        Too small to be a grand tourer, the Audi RS3 satisfies with scorching fast acceleration, superb grip and overall sense of civility, despite its uncivilized ways. Yeah, it can be noisy, but what did you expect? That said, gentle cruising reveals it to be the same comfy, confident compact its less-powerful siblings are. But that’s where the similarity ends. Push this puppy in one of its performance modes, and everything stiffens for extracting optimal performance. It’s a little wild man, one that allows for drifting despite its all-wheel-drive system, which makes it a whole mess of fun. It’s very forgiving, which means you won’t spin out if you’re less experienced. 

        But even when indulging in its deep well of power, you’ll find its effortless acceleration and unique engine note specific to Audi’s five-banger make it a true celebration of Audi’s performance heritage. 

        2023 Audi RS3 Specifications

        DimensionL: 178.8 inches/W: 72.9 inches/H: 55.6 inches/Wheelbase: 103.6 inches
        Weight3,639 pounds
        Powertrain 2.5-liter turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and AWD
        Fuel Economy20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23 mpg combined
        Performance Specs401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque
        Price$60,900; As tested: $67,090, including $1,095 destination charge.
        On-Sale DateAvailable now

        Wrap Up

        The 2023 Audi RS3 is not a car for librarians — unless they’re wild and passionate. It’s a celebratory driving machine, one that recalls Audi’s performance heritage while updating with the latest cutting-edge tech. And it’s wrapped in a diminutive package that punches far above its size. It’s a small car that delivers big fun.

        2023 Audi RS3 ­– Frequently Asked Questions

        Will there be a 2023 Audi RS3?

        Yes; it’s currently available.

        When can you order a 2023 Audi RS3?

        Now. Prices start at $60,900.

        Which BMW is equivalent to Audi RS3?

        The BMW M240i.

        How to Care for Your Car

        Cheap Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice

        Best Extended Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice
        Recently Published

        A Week With: 2023 Audi RS3

        Jan. 05, 2023
        2022 Lexus ES 250 F Sport AWD front 3-4 REL

        A Week With: 2022 Lexus ES 250 F Sport AWD

        Dec. 20, 2022

        A Week With: 2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV Limited

        Dec. 02, 2022

        What Are You Looking For?

        See More
        Close
        Share this article:
        © The Detroit Bureau 2023
        • Guides
        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms of Use
        • Affiliate Disclosure
        • Contact Us
        • Sitemap
        Follow Us: