Audi's RS3 Is So Insane It Has To Be Our 2023 Car of the Year
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- The Audi RS3 shocked me this year. For the relative price, Audi gives you a pure stick of dynamite that goes 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds and handles like it is glued to the pavement. The AWD system is insanely good, allowing for a true RWD feel with vectoring of 100% to either rear wheel. It has a Jekyll/Hyde dual-personality that allows for comfortable cruising when you need it but outright giggle-inducing fun when you want it. The best part? If you can't afford and RS3, there is an S3 with a lot of the same ingredients that make the RS3 so good. Can't afford an S3? The standard A3 has the fundamentals that make this generation the best in its class. You really can't go wrong unless you want to fit three abreast in the back seat. Otherwise, this is hands down the best car I drove this year and wholly deserving of the Car of the Year title.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
The Pod: / autobuyersguidepodcast
EV Buyers Guide: / evbuyersguide
The Mountain Garden: / themountaingarden
Buy Merch! aoamerch.com
Follow us on Facebook: theautobuyersguide/
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Powertrain
2:43 Passenger Comfort
3:50 Interior
6:18 Driving Enjoyment
13:05 RS3 vs. S3 vs. A3
15:23 Final Thoughts - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I just saw a magazine review of this car doing 0-60 in 3.2 and 11.8 @ 118 (117.53) mph quarter mile stock. Wicked times stock and with just a tune and bolt-ons not much is going to pull away from you. Combine that with the looks, comfort, sound, awd, and tech and you have a perfect street car.
Not surprised Alex picked this car. I have a 2019 RS3 and the 2022 keeps what was great (5cyl, dsg) and fixed all the flaws (brakes, shocks, rear diff). It’s perfect. 👌🏼
Good accurate review as our now 2 years with our 2019 RS3 has been an on
going pleasure. Now retired and driving our RS 3 3 days a week on our favorite
country back roads 10am-2pm. Only change we made was to install 245/40/18
wheels/tires, as the 19" tires were very poor handling on our fast country back
roads with heavily aged surfaces. Now at 43,256 miles this tire configuration has
proven to be a very good improvement. A great vehicle indeed!
ive done kw v3 adjustable coilovers along with ps4s tires
did wonders for the handling
This new RS3 is in a different league when it comes to ride quality. It ride even better than previous gen A3.
Thanks for posting Alex, the RS3 is a fantastic vehicle.
Excellent review. Great narrative as you drive along.
It’s a shame we don’t get the hatchback version.😢
Amen! Would be a perfect car.
No....
The wagon and hatchback version of every car is better.
In Australia we can choose either a sedan or a hatch. I chose the sedan because there are too many golf R and s3 hatches.
Sedan is slightly more expensive.
Eye roll.
Glad to see such as positive review. Here over in Europe this car had less positive reviews compared to BMW and Mercedes... As an owner of a new A3 hatchback with a basic engine of 150HP (35 TSFI), I truly find it a fantastic car after 1,5 years of ownership. Of course it is a matter of taste, but I love the design aspects, also of the interior.
Great car, alot of fun to drive. $65k in tango red with technology package and didn't pay a dime over msrp
GREAT JOB! no to over MSRP!!
👍👍 I bought a new S3 the day after Thanksgiving with everything, minus the black optics package and got it for $2k under MSRP. Daytona Grey. Love it!
Awesome, I’m seriously considering getting this one too. I’d like to see the tango red one in person.
@jonahleon I'm in Charlotte...did you find one at your local dealer?
Damn you really dropped that soap, 65k? For that little thing? Yall got ripped off😂
Can’t wait to test drive it! Thanks for the exciting review!🥳
Happy New Years Alex and Brian (and everyone else we don't see on-camera)!
Good to see it on the list of best car, most big youtubers blew it off.
I really love your reviews!
Wow! Best review of 2022 - Awesomely detailed and enthusiastic for an amazing auto!
I still love my 2016 A3 - It's hard to get rid of. Comfortable, quiet and run to drive
This is my dream sedan! Brilliant job Alex.
The RS3 is excellent , glad to see Alex likes it a lot. 🙂
Great review ! Hope you'll make on for the long awaiting A3 Allroad coming around 2024
I do miss the sound of my 2018 RS3... One of the best cars I've owned.
What happened to the car?
Used to love my 16’ S3. Would love a new one.
Awesome review. Glad you didn’t buy into the EV craze and make one of those your Car Of The Year. I’ve been driving Audi for 13 years straight. Had the ground-breaking 1st generation A5, now currently with an ‘18 A4 that I adore but will eventually upgrade to the S4. Thank you for giving this the praise it oh so deserves!
With your vast Audi knowledge would you think it's a mistake to buy the RS3 over the S4? Going to be my daily driver.
I actually still have my 2018 A4 because I cannot part with it I love it so much. Buy the RS3. It’s a legendary engine that is also reliable if you want to do boost it. The only advantage I see S4 over RS3 is it’s probably slightly more comfortable. Enjoy the RS3, you will not regret it! My next is going to be the RS 5 coupe.
@MrFrankieFiggz I appreciate you getting back to me! I'll move forward with the allocation I just received from Audi! Thank you
Just think if they imported the A4 Avant for the states. I would love to see an S4 Avant on our streets again. Great review and I could tell you were enjoying yourself carving down the road. I'm local, here in Napa, and many of the roads I see you driving look very familiar. If you ever want to take a twisty path over to Napa, try the one that starts on 12 near Glen Ellen (Trinity Road) and goes up the ridge to drop you back down into the southern end of Napa and eventually takes you out to Oakville. It's a blast! I used to take that pass twice a day with my MVI GTI back and forth to work. It was always fun except for the time when a newer 911 wouldn't pull over and let me pass. Yeah, a 911.
Nice review! I have a Q7 now and hoping to get one of these when I grow up.
Great review ❤
Great review. Something that tends to come up online is Audi reliability, but I’ve had my 2016 S3 from new and have had zero problems. Excellent car. Only thing I’m not too fond of in recent year models is the angular interior and them losing the shifter, but still a great car.
After buying my TT a few years ago the TTRS has become a bit of a dream car to me. I don't think I could ever bring myself to pay the extra 10k+ for a less practical but more stylish car though. I would probably end up saving the cash for the more useable RS3. Also the fact that in the states we have just lost the ability to buy new TTRS. Sad times for us I think coming ahead. Losing a lot of great cars.
Great car but how does one even buy it? I only see 7 dealer listings for it in the entire country.
Really liked your details about ride quality on less than perfect roads! I’ve heard that the Corvette C8’s magnetic ride control is astonishing hood, with a ride nearly as smooth as a Mercedes S class. Is the RS3’s magnetic ride control as good as the C8?
Just traded my 2023 C43AMG for the 2023 RS3. You are absolutely right! Amazing car!!
Great review!! Ive been a long time Subaru guy and have daily' d my sti for about 13 years now. Ive really been thinking about upgrading to something a bit more modern. So far the RS3 is really the only car that checks all the boxes for me. Basically an awd power house with DD comforts, simplicity, and has a good aftermarket support. My only concern with the RS3 is of course the price and also the interior size/space. I really need to see one in person to get a feel for it.
get a S3 and tune it. Stage II gets you the same power with less weight (and cost)
@@spinnetti I could but im looking for something out of the box with more power than i already have currently
I will mention that the trunk is abysmal due to the haldex underneath.
I would definitely familiarize yourself to repair costs. (If you go balls to the wall tuning) Rear diff on the 8V is like 2-3k for the part. The new rear diff on the 8Y is at least 5k from what I saw. The 15k+ engine in the RS3 vs the very common 2.0T in the S3 which could be had for a few thousand. Front brakes are not cheap. I absolutely love this car (8V) and will have it for the rest of my life. The sounds and engagement are amazing especially after the DS1 and TVS ECU/TCU tunes. The factory calibrations left more to be desired after driving it for a year and aftermarket support is awesome.
@spinnetti truth! You're giving some good advice my friend. 3.6 seconds 0-60 with just a stage 1, he would immediately forget about the subaru he drove for 13 years.
This review sounds very similar to the TLX type S without the extra weight but with more power. Fun, torque vectoring, and an easy to drive 9/10 daily driver.
TLX doesn't actually drive this good though.
@@ruturaj47 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Comparing an acura to a powerhouse audi 😂
True - I own an RS3 and its my only car. I used to own a Q50 and a Miata but hated switching cars around.
First buy with lottery winnings. 😉 Not that it’s that expensive. 💯
Thank you for doing this video. This RS3 has to be an engineering marvel! 100 years perfecting the i.c.e., and the Germans perfecting their 4wd unfair advantage. This represents the pinnacle of invention and engineering. I'm caught between going one more round with an i.c.e vehicle or going ahead with electric, this next year.
I decided to give ICE one more go recently! I figure EVs probably aren’t going anywhere, but I might regret not enjoying a fun ICE car while they still make them..
And people still pay $70K for civic type R🤡😂
Craziest thing I've heard in an awfully long time!!🤣😂
The RS3 is at the top of the hot hatch segment. It's got 4 little doors and a 5 popper mounted sideways. Props to Audi for making this all work. Is it royalty. No, but for getting groceries, it's a blast. I set my sights a little higher though. I drive a coupe from one of the other German manufacturers.
I can't afford to buy one yet but at least I can afford to watch one on CZcams.
The ultimate sleeper.
It already is on my shopping list!! I just can't afford my shopping list, probably never will either.
I have no idea why this car isn't covered more. great job audi! its a deal for the performance and practicality you get at 60k
Literally hundreds of review on CZcams. It's received tons of cover.
I used to have an A3 and loved it. Only problem was that with front wheel drive, turning right from a stop sign, it would spin the tire and not accelerate -- time for AWD. Also, it needed a ring job at 50,000 miles -- I had to argue to get that done under warranty -- and the air conditioning sprung a leak at 80,000 miles or so. At that point, the car had depreciated to $6,000 and the non-dealer cost to repair was $3,500. Living in the south, an un-airconditioned car was no fun.
You don't need AWD to accelerate from a turn, you need a limited slip diff. But the maint. costs you mention are why I wouldn't touch an Audi as a practical use car.
Great review, just a note that the car actually weighs 3,639 pounds per car and driver and manufacturer weight. Initially there was some info out there that had the weight nearly the same as the A3. It certainly doesn’t feel that heavy from the driver’s seat though.
That's as heavy as the first gen Lexus LS400. Might be light today, but not light!
that's as heavy as my M550i with a N63B4402 twin turbo V8
I have a 2019 RS3 and was going to buy a 2023 RS3, however, it is no longer available here in Canada. What will I do? I plan to but an M2 if that works for me. We shall see. Great review Dykes. Cheers😁
Hows mid punch acceleration/highway passing?
Great review, ...but seriously, did you like it? ;)
I loved the RS and S series, but you already sold me on the A5. If I still had the "boy racer" need, I'd have probably gone with the S5. But all of the Audi A series are fun to drive, and I love the comfort of the A5. Don't think any of them are a wrong choice. Keep up the great reviews.
√✅√✅∆.
I've a carbon edition saloon, I absolutely love it. I had a tuned s3 before and the RS is better in every way.
~
Trading my B9 S4 for an RS3 is an aspiration of mine when I retire in a year or so, but only if I can find one at MSRP. I’d spec it with ceramic front rotors to save a little unsprung weight, avoid brake pad grime, and perhaps some track time. The cost becomes almost reasonable since the steel rotors will need replacing in 40,000 miles (my experience with two S4s). Replacing ceramic rotors is $$$ but if the car isn’t tracked much they should last for a very long time indeed.
Finding one at msrp does indeed seem to be a fever dream
Which color and equipment would you choose, I’m waiting for the facelift version.
It had been very interesting to hear your opinion about the different equipment and why?😊🏁
Ok. I need some advice here. Looking for a fun daily driver for me, my wife, 6 month old son and one small dog (he rides in the car very rarely.) I’m between this and the more responsible A6 Allroad. If I can be convinced the RS3 will have enough space at least for a few years then it’s an easy choice as I’ve lusted after a 5 cylinder
Audi for the longest time. Also I’m coming from a Veloster N which is as impractical as you would imagine with a baby and only 3 doors!
It would be nice to have controls over the rear sport diff in my s4
I need this car!
would you buy the RS3 over the CT4-V Blackwing?
Can't buy in Canada. Out of my budget but I would splurge for this beast.
Audi needs to bring the 6MT back
Great review. Definitely one unique sedan. Question is, can you find it without HUGE markups? That's the not so fun part.
I was thinking the same thing. Fun as it might be, I cringe to think of that RS3's maintenance cost. Tires? That might reckon in favor of the Camry Alex mentioned. Call me stodgy, because I am.
@@dannyize Tires are the least of concern regarding maintenance cost of cars like this
@@Mark-rt6fy Tuned S3 would be *massively* less to maintain with a regular 2.0 engine and 90%+ just as fun.
I got mine at MSRP. The maintenance is the same as a normal A3. The only new part of the drivetrain is the rear diff. The rest is proven to be reliable.
I track mine so I'll have to change fluid more often of course.
@@keithemanuel1072 Have you driven past at least 50k miles? 5cyl has never been proven reliable
No RS3 Sportback for the U.S. Hardpass for me.
For those of you looking to fit an adult in the back seat, you won't get proper leg/head room until you move up to the A6/S6 and beyond and the SUV's. The A/S/RS 4-5 has pretty much the same room in the back despite being progressively larger cars than the 3. The S3/RS3 is basically a 2 person car with extra cargo space.
I fit my 6'1" brother in the back of the s3 with no issues and someone in the front. It's not large, but big people fit fine. I love how small and nimble it is for tossing around compared to the bigger models like the s5
Sadly, you can't get a new RS3 in a desirable color in CA without a 5-10k mark up or I would've already scooped one up.
No longer available in Canada due to emission restrictions, RRRR!!! This has been my dream car for many years and have been saving for some time. I would have been ready to purchase in the next 12 to 14 months.
Emission restrictions. What a scam.
now i have 6 cars on my list. tough choices.
This is my dream car. It’s perfect.
too small
@SportsMusicCars Get lost!😂
Amazing car! Unrelated, what is your favorite road to drive on in the bay area? I live just north of where you are and looking for some recommendations to check out. Thanks!
He makes a lot of his videos on Soquel San Jose Road and Old Santa Cruz Highway, which are great roads. 95% of the time I skip 17 going to or from Santa Cruz and take those roads on my Ducati, traffic is often light and they have good surfaces and lots of fun corners.
@@aluisious Thanks! Once this atmospheric river is over, I’ll go check these out! 👌🏼
Yup Highway 9 and Skyline Blvd have been good to me in the past (Alice’s restaurant is a popular stop). There’s also some good offshoots from those to and from the coast. Then there’s always Mt Hamilton that leads up to the Lick Observatory, and continued road out to Livermore or Patterson on I-5. All great roads just gotta sometimes find the right time that they’re not too busy.
@@ALMX5DP Very cool! Will check these out. 👌🏼
Yepp over both of them!! With some upgrade this would be a mini GTR killier
I remember when the e90 m3 was said to be too heavy at 3700 lbs. This car is the same weight.
New RS3 around the corner (2023)
I want one green !!
where was this filmed?
Nice job selling this car. Now it’s on my list.
Does it come in manual?
S3 is the sweet spot! (I know, I drive a TTS and can barely rev out the 2nd gear in the city.)
No 5 cylinder exclusivity in the S3! Sounds in the RS3 are irreplaceable, and the extra power, and more muscular look overall seem well worth the extra money. Also depreciation will be minor compared to the S3 long run which makes the RS even more of the better buy!
@@germanengineering204 we all know those attributes are better on the RS3, but you still won’t be able to take full advantage of its power in city driving.
I actually concur! As a former S3 owner, there are so many things that I love about it. But as an RS3 owner, the experience is definitely elevated. I would go back to an S3 any day.
New S3 is really dumbed down. The new RS3 is now the sweet spot. The TTS is OK, but drive the TTRS and you won't want the TTS anymore.
Prefer the styling and interior of the previous version. As a owner of a S3 of the previous generation I went to dealer to contemplate upgrading. Sorry but the interior has gone backwards! Will keep mine. Just the steering wheel design alone is so much more engaging and attractive in the previous model.
G80 m3 competition x drive would smoke this thing but it's a great value.
Hatchback and manual -> id trade in my focus RS immediately. Audi gave up manuals and my business long ago. Maybe audi should take notes from VW golf R and only offer a manual in north america.
You forgot to mention Golf R. It has the same architecture as the Audi 3 cars and it can be had for relatively less. In fact R is faster in straight and on track than Audi S3 and S4 while costing much less.
RS3 smokes the Golf R, also looks way better than the boring Golf and as to the VW interior 🤣
How reliable are the A3, S3 and RS3 series?
Very. I've had two S3's and now two RS3's. Covered over 200k in those cars, not a single issue, not one!
Great car. I wouldn’t call it light weight though. It weights in more than a RAV4. If reliability is not a problem for Audis I would get this for sure.
I’d take this over a Civic Type R any day. People that pay $60-70k for a Civic are deranged.
yup
In a heartbeat.
It's bothering me a little bit you misquoting a couple of factors. The RS3 competes with an M2. An M3 competes more closely to an RS5. The weight of an RS3 is 3649 lb, not 3,400 lb🤦🏾
I just need now a windy mountain road…
Alex, At this price, is it twice as good as the GR Corolla?🤔
GR Corolla is a cool tuner car with a stick, but the RS3 is in a completely different league imo!
GR corolla isn’t in the same league my guy
Ummm, this is just a tuner Jetta with a stick. So, I’d like to know the answer to your question.
CLA45 and RS3 for me.
It’s literally half a huracan it has to be the car of the year
!;;:/()
So few cars left that are light and nimble. Too many small cars are quite heavy now. Even this seems a bit heavy compared to the original 911 which was only 2200 lbs.
please review the audi rs q8
I much prefer the edgier looks of the previous model, and since it didn't get any lighter, and has similar power as the 2021, so its basically a warmed-over 2021 model.
Except the new one has an entirely different AWD system, which Alex focuses on as the high point of the car. I wouldn't say "warmed-over"
I would ! It’s just a mild refresh
Incorrect assessment, but think whatever feels right to you buddy lol!
@@germanengineering204 Whatever helps you sleep at night, sweetheart
@@InvestBetter. sounds like it was warmed over just enough to make a significant difference over the prior generation.
Your the first to say all that about this car
Watch more reviews, and you'll see highly recommended by all reviewers!👍
A friend of mine got one (she paid well over market) and I can see why Alex would pick this as car of the year. It's a rocket that is still practical enough to be a daily driver. We did a 7 day road trip and didn't feel beat up by it at all.
This car is epic, and running cost is higher obviously, but these will barely depreciate in the long run!
@@germanengineering204 right, Audis don’t depreciate…
@@theequalizer2727 Exactly glad you agree lol, and I own a new M240i, and will admit this car will hold its value 10 times better than an M lite! M340i is same thing buddy! Do some research, and you'll see the RS3 before the pandemic started barely lost anything its common knowledge! They have always been about 50k or higher used, so you have absolutely no clue if you're not aware of this😄!
@@germanengineering204 M240i is nice, dealer let me take it for a drive with my son. My son is still driving our 1999 BMW 528i with 160,000 miles.
If Audi is only going to make a 1,000 RS3’s then of course it could hold its value just like Corvette, but it’s probably loss leader - not going to help GM stock. If most people can’t buy it without markup, it vaporware just like the Corvette.
You point, the computer cluster drives the chassis and driveline.
Performance high, chassis/driveline engagement, NA.
CT4-V Black Wing in a manual, best car ever
🤣
@@mauricetoussaint7283 prove me wrong my child 😂😂
In the UK at least, the Audi S3 is something of a performance bargain. For the same price as the VW GTI Clubsport, the S3 has 4WD and nappa leather seats.
You'd take this over a S58 M3? Really dude? Really?
I just ordered an S3 I’m more than excited for it. I wish I could get the RS3 but in Canada it’s been discontinued :(
You’ll love the S3, I have a 2022 and live in Canada too!
@@maestroadam awesome what colour you have it in?
What was the all in price?
@@tomliuyt it was $65,000 Canadian. My lease is about $1,100 a month
@@88theps3user ibis white komfort trim, red brake calipers.
But no mention of the Giulia QV. The Ferrari V8 based V6 RWD trumps quirky I5 sitting in a FWD based platform.
Looks like a Civic.
And it's only twice what I could afford for a vehicle....
And since it's of German design, way more than I could afford for maintenance and repairs.
In person you certainly wouldn't confuse the looks of a civic with the wide fender flared muscular RS3 design! If you're serious about that statement you need to lay of the crack bud! 😆
I think I'd still go with the CT4-V BW. I can't get past the econobox look and appeal of the A3 series lineup.
A3 isn't really a econobox though. We're not talking about a wrx or a civic type r here.
Also, awd vs rwd.
I think people often overlook the s3 or rs3 because it's based on the a3 which is the lowest offering in audi's lineup. forgetting that audi is one tier above the likes of vw, honda, subaru etc.
Cadillac is unreliable.
I would own one of these if you could find one. There are at least 15 people on the wait list for every dealer I contacted. All at or over MSRP.
My local BMW dealer has actual stock of the M340i and up to $2k in discounts. While the RS3 may be better (I haven’t driven one since they are attainable), the M340i is just more accessible. And it drives great everyday. And I totally take it up dirt roads for hiking all the time.
Sorry for me this is like the Z06, it may be the car of the year, but it’s not an attainable dream car.
Good point. Whoever wants one will have to wait at least 1-2 years and with that, how can anyone keep their interest? Shit I guess unless you have a bunch of other cars and just get this when you get it in near half a decade. I wouldn't want to wait almost 2 years for any god damn car.
BMW is more reliable, B58 engine is incredible. BMW 6 cylinder engineshave been very reliable with proper maintenance.
@@theequalizer2727 BMW doesn't produce V6 engines.
@@marktoliver4801 Yeah he has absolutely no clue whatsoever, and making senseless comments everywhere!😄
@@marktoliver4801 of course you are correct, was watching some other car videos while typing.
I would go Cadillac CT4 Blackwing for the pure RWD dynamics. But this AWD and packaging makes this RS3 very daily drivable in many situations.
Not to forget you can get an honest manual transmission.
Does it still have bigger tires on the front than the rear? I can't except any car like that as car of the year.
Just move on, then😂
@@speeddemon311 That is pretty funny, considering it is now 2024.
So insane it is banned in Canada.
You lost me at “I’d buy it over the m3 or m340i”. The new m3 with the S58 is a work of automobile engineering artwork. Lol that’s an argument you would lose pretty easily. The S3 is a sweet ride, but it can’t compare to the M3’s.
I've said this once and I'll say it again: this is what the Volvo S60 should've been