Audi RS3 vs Cupra Ateca

What's the difference?

VS
Audi RS3
Audi RS3

2026 price

Cupra Ateca
Cupra Ateca

$51,990 - $63,490

2025 price

Summary

2026 Audi RS3
2025 Cupra Ateca
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 5, 2.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
-

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
8.3L/100km (combined)

7.1L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Options dollars add up quickly
  • Tight rear headroom in sedan
  • Engine note could be louder

  • Safety tech could be more cutting edge
  • Fuel economy on the high side
  • No head-up display
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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2025 Cupra Ateca Summary

Not many people even know what a Cupra Ateca V is… and this is the second best thing about this small SUV. The first best thing is that Cupra is owned by Volkswagen.

So, this means you can have your mysterious SUV not many other people drive while knowing it’s underpinned by one of the largest car manufacturers in the world which makes cars millions of people drive and one which also has a reputation for high quality vehicles.

The big news here is the Ateca model range has a new and lower entry fee with the arrival of this V grade. See, until now the only Ateca Australians could buy is the high-performance VZx which while really sporty also came with a pretty big price tag.

So, how much is the Ateca V and what do you get for the money? We found this out at the Australian launch along with how practical and safe it is and what it’s like to drive.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi RS3 2025 Cupra Ateca

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