Audi A3 vs Audi RS3

What's the difference?

VS
Audi A3
Audi A3

$50,600 - $60,200

2025 price

Audi RS3
Audi RS3

2026 price

Summary

2025 Audi A3
2026 Audi RS3
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.5L

Turbo 5, 2.5L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

-
Fuel Efficiency
5.3L/100km (combined)

8.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Ride is a bit stiff
  • Back seat is tight
  • Lacks some modern features

  • Options dollars add up quickly
  • Tight rear headroom in sedan
  • Engine note could be louder
2025 Audi A3 Summary

Can a hatchback still be a fun and fashionable way to get around when the SUV has become such a status trend?

The facelifted Audi A3 certainly makes a case for it.

The refreshed 2025 A3 is, as Audi puts it, more competitive than before when it comes to not only value but also, you might agree, style.

Last year, before the update even arrived, the A3 sold almost as well as its Volkswagen Golf corporate sibling. In fact, it’s Audi’s third most popular model behind the Q3 and Q5 SUVs.

It’s also third in its segment of ‘Small cars under $40,000’, behind only the MG4 electric car and, you guessed it, the VW Golf.

As such, it also outsells its actual closest rivals the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, both of which are close to the A3 on price.

Now that it’s been given a bit more razzle dazzle, let’s see if the A3 can keep that momentum going.

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2026 Audi RS3 Summary

Five-cylinder fury is still kicking!

Audi has just launched the mid-life updated version of its RS3 hatch and sedan in Australia.

With new looks inside and out, the German carmaker has also made a number of subtle tweaks under the skin via software updates. Thankfully, however, the five-cylinder beast lurking under the bonnet remains untouched.

As the viability of pure internal combustion engines in the hot hatch segment dwindles in the age of ever-tightening emissions regulations, will this be the last hurrah for the five-banger RS3?

Read along to see how this latest version stacks up.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi A3 2026 Audi RS3

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