Audi RS3 v Mercedes-AMG A45 S: Which is best?

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Which is the best German compact performance car - the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, or the Audi RS3? Well, we’re here to find out!

Mat’s got his hands on both of these performance pocket rockets and he’s going to run you through everything you need to know to find out which is best! (Ok, it’s the RS3 saloon rather than the hatchback, but it’s basically the same car…)

So let’s have a look at the stats. Starting with the Audi, it’s packing a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbo petrol engine under the bonnet, that’s good for 400hp & 500Nm of torque. It’s equipped with all-wheel drive, and Audi claims it can hit 60mph in just 3.8 seconds.

As for the AMG, it’s actually down a cylinder, with a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine housed up front. However, it’s worth noting that this is the most powerful 2-litre 4-cylinder engine in the world, so it can put down 421hp and 500Nm - so it’s more powerful than the Audi! It can also hit 60mph slightly quicker, at 3.7 seconds.

In terms of styling, it’s fair to say the Audi is definitely a bit more understated than the AMG. Sure it comes with two huge oval exhaust pipes along with some big air intakes up front, but that’s nothing compared to the AMG’s huge wing and quad exhaust tips!

In terms of price, they’re both relatively similar, with the Audi starting at £55,000, and the AMG coming in at £59,000. But which should you choose? There’s only one way to find out - stick with Mat for this all-new group test!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:26 Price
01:14 Engine
02:28 Rev Test
03:09 Brakes
04:18 Exterior Design
05:17 Interior
06:28 Chassis
08:20 Driving
12:40 Back Seats
13:14 Boot
13:43 0-60mph
14:44 Verdict

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[carwow]

02:28 Which sounds worst? 👀VOTE BELOW!

[tontonaali]

sound of a 5 cylinders is always better than a 4 cylinders, even with a soft limiter

[Auditography]

The new RS3-R ABT that dropped yesterday is something you have to race against an M3 Competition! Cheers

[BirdiesGoCherp]

3:09 that must've been a really bad run into the curb to take off a chunk of the tyre like that.

[oppos]

Really impressed by the staying power of the A45 after all these years.

[ViveSemelBeneVivere]

I'm surprised Audi screwed up with the gearing and turbo lag - I mean after all these years of Audi turbo you'd think they'd have it nailed by now. Puzzling. But @3:12 that tyre damage - was that even safe to drive because the MoT would condemn it. 😮

[spekyspectacles]

As an A45s Owner this does put a smile to my face 😁 but that doesn’t take away the fact each time I see an RS3 there is always mutual respect ✊🏼

[Showmetheevidence-]

Crazy to think these hatch backs have a history in “cheap performance” cars.
No longer with £50k + price tags.

[leroyrs]

I would go with any of 'em. Fantastic cars. I love the colour of the AMG.

[adifferentangle]

The a45 is the only car I've seen tested in the last twenty years that makes every single person smile and laugh when they drive it.
I saw one where guy was driving an a45 that his friend had for a year and his friend made the same big smile like it was the first day he got it.

[ianmansfield]

This is the best review you've ever done..your enthusiasm and detail for both cars is amazing...didn't need a winner they probably appeal to different people or both appeal to everyone....like me

[Horizon.]

Thank you for addressing Audi’s huge degradation in quality. It has to be said. Every new model is worse than the one before it for interior quality

[ixtynine]

Definitely feels like it’s more exciting in the A45s. Sounds more manic and those shift changes were sharp.

[peasednteatme]

I still wish the RS3 had a fulltime AWD system instead of a gimped Haldex setup. It's so close to being the perfect modern-day RS2 homage, but the weak AWD system spoils it a little imo

[lewiscoalter]

RS3 all day. The modifications for the RS3 platform are crazy and will be for this also. The AMG engine is already maxed out just about and i douibt you will get much more outta it mean while with the RS3 people will be gettin 700hp out of it quickly.

[edwinfouche]

Seeing Matt pull off in launch controll on the A45S with absolutely no drop of tyre spin, I wonder if he knows about the feature the new AMG's have that you can manually increase/decrease the launch revs based on how grippy the surface is you are launching on. I think that A45S could have done a bit better🤔🤔🤔

[ACERASPIRE]

That tyre wall and wheel damage on the MB is huge

[DIRTYvinnieXD]

Rs3 offcourse dont care if it slower, you cant dislike the inline 5, audi is the only brand that still makes 5 cyl

[joellistic]

Would love to see a comparison of the GLA45 S vs RSQ3, or even a drag race of the A45 S vs RS3 vs GLA45 S vs RSQ3 - make it happen Matt!

[kevinwiltshire]

I think the RS3 is a better buy considering it sounds amazing almost like a baby V10 plus with bolt-ons you could get them to run in the low nines