2017 Audi RS 3 Review
Price: $42,998





+22
Edmunds' Expert Review
Pros
- Ridiculous power in a relatively compact car
- Refined interior with excellent materials
- Lots of high-tech features that are easy to use
- Aggressive styling without being cartoonish
Cons
- Limited interior storage and cargo space
- Likely has a stiff ride quality
What’s new
The Audi RS 3 has been available in other markets for a few years, but it's finally here in the U.S., to the delight of American performance enthusiasts.
Vehicle overview
Start with a class-leading entry-level luxury sedan like the Audi A3. Double the power output with a 400-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine and upgrade the brakes and suspension to match. Sound like a good idea? Yes, we think so, too. The best part is, this idea has been realized in the 2017 Audi RS 3.
For sale near Columbus, OH
1 listings
- $42,998
- 44,199 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- CarMax Indianapolis (171 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Indianapolis, IN
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: WUABWGFF6H1900146
Stock: 27016519
Certified Pre-Owned: No
It benefits from all of the smart design and tech from the A3, giving it the kind of performance we're used to pulling out of dedicated sports cars costing much much more. With this in mind, the only real direct competitor is the BMW M2, which happens to be a staff favorite. The RS 3 does have it beat on paper with more power and all-wheel drive, so to say we're excited to test it for ourselves is an understatement. These cars have the makings of an epic shootout.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The Audi A3 is already a class leader for its engaging driving dynamics and chic interior, so what happens when you drop a bonkers 400-horsepower engine in it? Something wonderful, and it's called the RS 3.
Trim tested
Edmunds has not yet driven any version of this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.
Driving
The RS 3 is all about performance, and by the specs and firsthand accounts, it's impressive. With 400 hp and all-wheel drive packed into this small sedan, we expect it to likely out-accelerate the BMW M2.
Comfort
We expect the RS 3's ride quality to be firmer than that of the already stiff S3, but the adaptive suspension should keep it from being overly harsh. If the sport seats in other Audi vehicles are any indication, these seats should provide a good balance of lateral support and comfort.
Interior
The RS 3 is a stylistically enhanced version of the A3, and its interior benefits from an understated design, tons of features, an easy-to-use interface and excellent materials throughout. Outward visibility is notably excellent, too.
Utility
The interior pockets and bins are modestly sized with just enough space for your personal items. The trunk tells a similar story, requiring you to fold the rear seats down if you need to transport items like golf bags.
Technology
Not only does the RS 3 have a ton of features and functionality, but they're easy to operate, too. The available virtual instrument panel enhances the feeling that Audi uses tech in a very smart manner.
Which RS 3 does Edmunds recommend?
The 2017 Audi RS 3 only comes in one trim level, so you only have to decide on options. The Technology package adds some of the newest and coolest features, and the Dynamic package should push the performance ceiling higher. We'd probably skip the Dynamic Plus package, though, because it may make the ride quality far too harsh.
Compare 2017 Audi RS 3 trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2017 Audi RS 3 models
The 2017 Audi RS 3 is an ultra-high-performance variant of the A3 and S3 sedans. It is available in a single trim level and is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine (400 horsepower, 354 pound-feet of torque). A seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels.
Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires, automatic LED headlights, heated and power-folding mirrors, automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, adaptive suspension dampers, selectable drive modes, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats, leather upholstery, eight-way manual sport seats with power lumbar adjustment, and 40/20/40-split folding rear seats. Electronic features include Audi's MMI infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a rearview camera, and a 10-speaker audio system with HD and satellite radio and a USB port.
Most of the RS 3's options are offered in bundles. The Technology package includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, smartphone vehicle monitoring and control, a navigation system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a digital gauge cluster display (Virtual Cockpit), and a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. You can also get the Dynamic package (wider wheels and tires, a sport exhaust and red brake calipers) and the Dynamic Plus package (a higher top speed, a carbon engine cover, individual tire pressure monitors, front ceramic brake rotors and a fixed sport suspension). Stand-alone options are limited to carbon-fiber interior trim and rear-seat side airbags.

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for RS 3 quattro
RS 3 quattro
vs
$160/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Audi RS 3 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Review
Trending topics
Car is extremely quick, handles incredibly well
5 out of 5 starsjsr, 09/16/2018
2017 Audi RS 3 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 7AM)
The RS3 has a dual personality. While its suspension is firm and transmits road imperfections to the occupants, it's quite docile in "Comfort" mode, but toggle that to "sport mode" and it becomes a rocket ship glued to the pavement in corners and accelerating with an adrenaline rush that must be experienced to be believed. However, presumably in the interest of saving weight or … emphasizing its role as a high performance sedan, features found on most other Audi sedans are missing. For example, the seats are manually adjusted, telephonic road assistance support is not offered, and the cruise control doesn't offer the drive the increment and decrement speed choices of 1 mph or 5 mph that Audi's "non-RS" sedans do. The biggest surprise, however, was the incredibly rapid depreciation ($20,000 in the first year I've owned it, with only 12,500 miles driven. That's partially forgivable in light of the smiles the car generates even sitting still (I've never had so many people come up and swoon over a car's appearance), and the enormous grins that cannot be suppressed as it rockets through the corners while generating those unbelievably musical exhaust notes in sport mode.
2017 Audi RS 3 video
2017 Audi RS 3 Track Test
We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 2017 Audi RS 3 on our shores, and it's finally here. Edmunds Road Test Manager Jonathan Elfalan gets his hands on the 400-horsepower pocket rocket, in Catalunya Red, to find out how quickly it'll clear a quarter-mile and then spends a few laps around the handling circuit to suss out how well it gets around corners. He'll also… have a look at the interior to see how it compares against the popular Audi A3, on which it is based.
2017 RS 3 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $54,500 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the RS 3 models:
- Audi Pre Sense Basic
- Senses when a front collision is imminent. Can tighten the seat belts, power up the windows and close the sunroof automatically.
- Audi Side Assist
- Alerts you if a car is approaching or lurking in the blind spots and beeps if you signal for a lane change in that direction.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Assist
- Warns the driver if a car is approaching from the sides when backing out of a parking spot.
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