Audi RS3 vs Infiniti Q50

What's the difference?

VS
Audi RS3
Audi RS3

2026 price

Infiniti Q50
Infiniti Q50

2018 price

Summary

2026 Audi RS3
2018 Infiniti Q50
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 5, 2.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
-

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

7.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

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

  • Struggles to maintain traction at times
  • Confusing dual screens
  • Cabin design feels busy
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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2018 Infiniti Q50 Summary

The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport sedan really wants you to love it, and this latest version is doing its best to impress the heck out of you with its looks and features.

So much so that you'll take it home... and live with it, forever. And then there's that engine – armed with a formidable twin-turbo petrol V6, the Q50 Red Sport's outpowers all its rivals.

But then there's the BMW 340i which is not that much more expensive... and it's a BMW. And what about the Lexus IS 350? That's more like the Infiniti, but also more popular.

Oh, and don't forget that we when first met the Q50 Red Sport last year we didn't exactly get off on the right foot. The engine's formidable grunt seemed too much for the car to handle. Then there was the jiggly ride, and the steering wasn't great either unless you were in Sport + mode. It's all coming back now...

Perhaps the Q50 Red Sport had changed. This is the new one, and Infiniti had assured us it's a different car now.

Do we give it another chance? Of course, and we do, in a quick 48-hour test. So, has it changed? Is it better? Would we live with it forever?

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi RS3 2018 Infiniti Q50

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