The compact performance sedan segment is fiercely contested, yet the Audi RS3 still stands out among top-level competition. The BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe and Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe both utilize turbocharged inline-fours, like most competitors. The RS3, meanwhile, proves its uniqueness with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five under the hood that you won’t find in any other current production vehicle. Combine that stellar engine with Audi’s Quattro AWD and a torque-vectoring rear differential, and you have a sports sedan that cannot be fully understood by spec sheets alone. Let’s break down what makes the 2025 Audi RS3 so special that it feels genuinely irreplaceable.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L I5 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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7-speed DSG auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
394 HP @5600 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
369 lb.-ft. @ 2250 RPM
- Make
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Audi
- Model
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RS3
- Segment
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Compact SUV
The Last Remaining Five-Cylinder Engine
Let’s be clear from the outset: if you are buying an Audi RS3, it is to experience the glory of its 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine. No other production car in the U.S. offers this particular engine, and this current iteration is the ultimate evolution of an architecture Audi has been refining for decades.
The One And Only
The 2.5-liter turbocharged EA855 inline-five featured in the RS3 is unlike any other engine you can find today. The engine uses both port and direct injection, producing 394 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque as low as 2,250 rpm. Yet, what makes the EA855 truly unique is its distinct uneven firing order of 1-2-4-5-3, which produces a sound that no four-cylinder or even six-cylinder engine can replicate. Independent testing demonstrated that the RS3 can achieve 0-to-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. That’s near-supercar performance in a compact sedan that seats five and starts at $66,100.
|
Engine |
2.5-liter turbocharged EA855 inline-five |
|
Horsepower |
394 hp |
|
Torque |
369 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
Seven-speed dual-clutch |
|
0-to-60 mph |
3.6 seconds |
|
1/4-mile |
11.7 seconds @ 118 mph |
|
Top Speed |
180 mph |
|
Fuel Economy |
20 city/29 highway/23 combined |
|
Starting MSRP |
$66,100 |
Why Five Cylinders Sound Different
An inline-four engine fires at 180-degree intervals between every combustion event. A five-cylinder engine, however, cannot achieve this same spacing, which results in an irregular firing pulse. This irregular pulse pattern gives the EA855 its signature growl. Even at idle, this unique tone can be heard, and at full throttle, its character truly comes to life. Unlike most modern sports cars, the RS3’s sound is not artificially augmented through the speaker system. What you hear is the pure mechanical bliss of an engine that defines itself by being an outlier. Audi has gone to great lengths to emphasize this five-cylinder heritage. The Competition Limited model even utilizes the headlights to display the 1-2-4-5-3 firing order during the lock and unlock sequence. This standout inline-five engine is the central figure in the RS3’s alluring identity.
The RS3 Is More Than Just Muscle
Is the Audi RS3 as light and nimble as a Mazda MX-5 Miata around a racetrack? Of course not. Yet, you’d be surprised at just how good this 3,559-pound AWD compact sedan can dance on a closed circuit.
The Magic Of A Torque-Vectoring Rear Differential
The RS torque splitter rear differential may sound like engineering mumbo jumbo, but this detail is what actually separates the RS3 from all the other options in its class. A lot of cars claim to be sports cars, but don’t even offer a limited-slip differential. The RS3 takes it one step further as the rear differential can vector torque independently to both rear wheels via electronically controlled wet clutch packs. That means that under cornering, the RS3 can bias almost 100% of its rear torque to the outside wheel, increasing the car’s rotation through the corner. The result is an AWD sedan with the characteristics of an RWD sports car. To further increase this sensation, there is a dedicated RS Torque Rear driving mode, and it works perfectly. Combine that with the upgraded suspension hardware compared to a standard Audi A3 and the 15-inch vented and cross-drilled brakes up front, and you have a practical sedan that can tackle any back road.
Drift Mode Should Be Illegal (It Isn’t)
How do automakers get away with adding features like “drift mode” to production cars? We don’t know either because these kinds of features are mostly marketing gimmicks. The RS3 says to hell with your gimmicks—hold my beer. Activate RS Torque Rear mode, apply some throttle mid-corner, and watch the magic happen. You will see how easily the rear end glides through the transitions. If you let off the throttle, the car instantly corrects as if nothing ever happened. This is not the same as just turning traction and stability control off and hoping for the best. The system is active enough that it will still fight to correct the angle of the car if it notices the slip angle values getting too extreme. Yet, it allows the driver to work the throttle pedal and steering wheel in a way that would simply be impossible in a standard AWD vehicle.
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What Owning An RS3 Is Really Like
If you could only have one car that could do it all, the Audi RS3 would be a pretty good pick. Just as practical as it is engaging, the RS3 offers a near-perfect blend of performance and comfort that would make any driving enthusiast grin from ear to ear.
The Quality Of The Interior
Step inside a standard Audi A3, and you’ll be greeted by a subtle yet refined interior. The RS3 carries the same overall high-quality experience but with a healthy dose of spice added to it. The RS3 utilizes Audi’s current MMI infotainment system with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This unit also supports third-party app downloads like Spotify and YouTube. Every RS3 comes standard with a 15-speaker Sonos audio system—a premium unit befitting a vehicle of this quality.
The virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster is fully configurable and features RS-specific details like lap timing functions. We thank the German engineering gods that the climate controls are still physical buttons. The RS exclusive sport seats are a thing of beauty with their bold red contrast stitching and aggressive bolstering. A head-up display is optional and can directly integrate the RS driving data into your field of view. Other key standard features include wireless phone charging, a subscription Wi-Fi hotspot, and adaptive cruise control.
Compromises Worth Considering
If you have a growing family, the RS3 might sound like a viable option for parents who want speed and practicality. For kids, the rear seating area is totally acceptable, but for adults, the space is tight with 35.1 inches of rear legroom. That is much tighter than something like the Acura Integra Type S. The RS3 also only features 11.3 cubic feet of trunk volume, but space can expand thanks to the 40/20/40 folding rear seat design. Turn the suspension setting to max stiffness, and you will feel every detail of the road like you were driving on semi-slick tires.
In the comfort-based modes, the RS3 feels just as comfortable as any other German luxury sedan. Fuel economy is good, but not great, at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Considering its performance, it’s acceptable. Independent research has shown that the RS3 is capable of exceeding its EPA fuel economy standards during long stretches of highway. Audi also provides a four-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty alongside three years or 30,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
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The RS3 Sits At A Table For One
Although there is a solid field of competition in the compact performance sedan segment, none of the available options can replicate what the Audi RS3 offers in combination.
A True Outlier In Its Segment
The BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe may be quick and practical, but it lacks the mechanical allure of the RS3’s inline-five, and its AWD system is not performance-focused like the RS3’s. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe is stylish and high-quality, but its engine is far from evocative despite its clear ability for speed. The Acura Integra Type S may be the closest option to the RS3 in terms of driving engagement, but it’s FWD-only and can only be equipped with a manual transmission, so it’s not exactly for the same type of shopper. This gives the RS3 a dominant position as the only option you will find in its segment with a five-cylinder engine, rear-biased AWD, and a sub-3.5-second 0-to-60 mph time in a practical sedan body.
The Competition Limited Model Ups The Ante
The ultimate iteration of the RS3 is the Competition Limited, with only 750 units produced worldwide, and only 165 of those being sedans. This special model celebrates Audi’s 50th anniversary of the five-cylinder engine and takes an unconventional route for its performance add-ons. The easy way out to make a special edition performance car feel better than the standard model is by bumping the power output. The Competition Limited instead provides you with three-way adjustable coilover suspension, a revised exhaust valving, and reduced firewall insulation for more raw engine noises.
There are also added carbon fiber aerodynamic elements, such as canards and a rear spoiler. Despite celebrating the five-cylinder’s anniversary, Audi left the engine unchanged, focusing instead on suspension, exhaust, and weight reduction. This German sports saloon goes beyond the sum of its parts. The RS3 has a distinct feel and character that doesn’t just make it special—it makes it an experience that enthusiasts will long for in the near future when it’s gone.