Audi RS3 vs Mercedes-Benz E53
What's the difference?

Audi RS3

$104,727 - $107,727

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz E53

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2025 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 2

Mazda 3

Mercedes-AMG E63

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Summary

2026 Audi RS3

2025 Mercedes-Benz E53

By Jack Quick

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 5, 2.5L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

—

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

8.3L/100km (combined)

1.7L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Electric range

100 km

Battery capacity

28.60 kWh

Seating

Likes

Dynamic and engaging to drive
Iconic five-cylinder soundtrack
Luxuriously equipped

Looks
Performance
Safety

Dislikes

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

No spare tyre
Steep service pricing
Modest boot

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 Mercedes-Benz E53 Summary

You like performance, love a bit of luxury and fancy a traditional sedan. The budget is healthy and there’s a surprising amount of choice. But Mercedes-AMG believes it’s created the car that perfectly answers your new-car brief.

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is a fresh expression of an established high-performance sedan formula mixing internal-combustion power with electric punch and all-wheel drive.

We were invited to its local launch, so stay with us to see if this newcomer is ready to fill that primo European performance car shaped space in your garage.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi RS3 2025 Mercedes-Benz E53

Verdict

The Audi RS3 is a special hot hatch and sedan I’m so glad I experienced before its five-cylinder engine is inevitably retired due to emissions regulations. Full of character and charisma, this car is far from a rational purchase, pitched at boy racers who don’t want to grow up just yet.

From a value perspective, too, while the asking price has crossed the six-figure threshold and the option prices add thousands, it’s still much cheaper than the Mercedes-AMG A45 S. Make of that what you will.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is a superb blend of high-tech hybrid muscle and cossetting top-end luxury. Value is competitive, it looks (and feels) the business, despite the conventional sedan configuration it’s surprisingly practical (except for the modest boot), fuel-efficiency is a key benefit and safety is stellar. The ownership proposition is okay for the category but that’s not top of mind when an enticing series of corners ranges into view. It’s an impressive package.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Audi RS3 vs Mercedes-Benz E53 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi RS3 vs Mercedes-Benz E53
What's the difference?