Audi RS3 vs Tesla Model Y

What's the difference?

VS
Audi RS3
Audi RS3

2026 price

Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y

$55,900 - $89,400

2025 price

Summary

2026 Audi RS3
2025 Tesla Model Y
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 5, 2.5L

Not Applicable, 0.0L
Fuel Type
-

Electric
Fuel Efficiency
8.3L/100km (combined)

0.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

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

  • Drive mode selector is silly
  • Warranty below average
  • Feels very heavy when pushed
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.

View full pricing & specs
2025 Tesla Model Y Summary

I don’t think I’m overselling it to say that this is the car that could make or break Tesla in Australia and around the world. 

Crazy, right? That seemed impossible not so long ago, back when the brand appeared untouchable. But new competition, largely from China, plus the giant Musk-shaped elefant (it is German for elephant…) in the room, has seen sales and profit plummet.

Just last month, for example, the Tesla Model Y lost its best-seller crown in Australia to BYD, admittedly in the weeks before the new 'Juniper' version arrived.

The point is, a new version of its biggest seller is a Very Big Deal. But have they changed enough, and changed it well enough, to cut through the noise?

We put the cheapest variant, the Tesla Model Y RWD, to the test to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi RS3 2025 Tesla Model Y

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