2022 Audi RS3: It's no hot hatch... it's a Hyper Hatch!

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Once upon a time, hot hatches used to be about blending hatchback practicality with sports car pace, but cars like the new Audi RS3 take that a step further by blending hatchback practicality with genuine supercar pace. And believe us when we say that's no exaggeration.

3.8 seconds. That's how fast this car's characterful five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine can propel it from 0-62mph with the standard launch control engaged, and that's quick enough to embarrass many much more exotic cars. And thanks to its other clever gizmos - such as its four-wheel drive, its torque-splitter rear axle technology and its (optional) adaptive suspension - it'll get across country, point-to-point, as quickly as many a Ferrari or McLaren, probably quicker if the road is soggy.

However, as previous RS3s have proven, sheer pace is no guarantee of fun, so how does the latest iteration deliver on that score? To find out, CarGurus UK Deputy Editor Ivan Aistrop gives the car a thorough once-over, looking at its technology, quality, practicality and how engaging it is to drive. Stay tuned for the full verdict on this frenetic 400 horsepower family hatch.

▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 – Introducing the Audi RS3
02:42 – Price
03:19 – Practicality
04:00 – The seating
04:30 – Driver's seat and interior
05:52 – Driving impressions
11:38 – Verdict
12:21 – Let us know what you think

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#cargurusUK #AudiRS3 #RS3

[davidperry]

Excellent review and I would go for the Audi over the Mercedes but you are right in that the finish and quality of materials inside has taken a backward step compared to the previous A3.

[JohnBianchi]

I'd go with the RS3 over the AMG. If I'm going high-end hot hatch, I'll take the softer edges, thanks!

[clintstechtips]

Hot hatches nowadays are costs around supercar level.

[davidhayes]

You know that the RS3 must be something of a modern icon since those that say they hate it still keep talking about it. Looking at back catalogues of Autocar from 1988 reveals that the 8V GTI was about 40% more than the basic Golf (at £11K basic) and the 16V was about 55% more at over £12.5K. They were actually quite pricey and in those days they really were fairly basic, albeit great fun.

[cozyocelot]

Good first impressions from this channel

[dash-ktuf]

I have both

A45 easily the better daily and RS3 the car you want (tuned on E85) to eat nearly any car on the road. I have to Wavetrac LSD’s in my DAZA and was a massive improvement in corner handling

[stephengolds]

If only the seats had the option of colour stitching like you can in other countries I would order one, it brightens the interior

[hlf_coder]

I don’t think the RS3 really even competes with the AMG in the states. For one, we don’t even get the hatch version in North America. The RS3 mainly competes against the M2, M240i, S4 etc here.

As evidence, I’m trading in my M2 Competition for a new RS3 in about 3 weeks when it finally arrives. And when I got my M2, the only other car I considered at the time was the RS3. I’ve never even looked up the numbers on the AMG cuz I wouldn’t get a 4 cylinder, and I wouldn’t get a hatch

[slats]

All the ones dyno'd are knocking out 420 and 550nm. They're underquoting

[seinsmeld]

I'd pick the Audi. Unfortunately the 2022 RS3 is not available here in Canada. I own a 2019 RS3 and was going to buy a new however can't because it is not sold here. What a

[garymac]

I'll stick with my reliant Robin !!!!

[hannafordfitness]

Awesome car and review. Odd question, but I heard another reviewer mention that he didn’t know what to do with the interior hand because there wasn’t a proper gear lever/shifter. Did you find it odd that there wasn’t a place to rest your left hand?

[Selbach]

The growl does increase by a significant bit in the RS mode, which is clearly also limited by regs. For one I appreciate the different modes in RS cars. Not having them would simply make the car frustrating to use in different conditions. This is another case of a journo only thinking about the usage of the car during the test and not in real world conditions.

[GoodnWise]

Light colored seats please. Too hot in the States during the summer with a dark interior. Why can’t we have the hatchback too? Not fair.

[brianfallon]

Give it 3 doors and the option of having the rear seats removed, and then it would be hyper. With 5 doors, it's just a powerful, midget estate.

[paulwardzynski]

These cars have never been hot hatches because 1. they are too powerful and 2. way too expensive! They are like an American dragster in a recognised production body! Hot hatches are a totally different ilk.

[ThomasClinton-fq]

I have one and it's a class machine expensive in lreland

[High_Octane_Hero]

For £60k I'd rather buy a used M4 xDrive. The dealers are bonkers and the people who buy these at that price are even crazier lol

[sa]

The new RS3 external styling looks more modern, better than my 2018 RS3 but those seats and that round steering wheel especially doesn’t reflect what a RS brand is all about. And those OPF filters just ruin modern cars now.

[lookslikeme]

Wait till you're paying 2M+ for it.