Audi RS Q3

Audi RS Q3 at a glance

First-generation RS Q3 (8U, 2013–2018)

Audi first showed the idea as the RS Q3 concept at Auto China in Beijing in April 2012, with 265 kW (360 PS). The production car appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013, and German deliveries began late that year. It was Audi's first RS-badged SUV.

Power came from the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder known from the TT RS and RS 3. At launch it made 228 kW (310 PS) and 420 Nm, and Wikipedia lists 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The 2015 facelift raised output to 250 kW (340 PS) and 450 Nm, and Auto Bild quotes 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h for that version. The RS Q3 performance, shown at Geneva in March 2016, pushed the figure to 270 kW (367 PS) and 465 Nm.

The old 1cars text added detail on the facelifted car: the body sat 25 mm lower than a normal Q3, wheels were 19-inch as standard and 20-inch as an option. It also listed a 356-litre boot, 1,261 litres with the seats folded, and an Audi concert sound system with ten speakers. The first-generation Q3 family was built at SEAT's Martorell plant in Spain.

Second-generation RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback (F3, 2019–)

The second RS Q3 was revealed in September 2019 and reached German showrooms at the end of that year. It sits on the MQB architecture of the second Q3 and comes in two shapes: the upright RS Q3 and the RS Q3 Sportback, whose roof is 45 mm lower. Both are 4.5 metres long, so the RS Q3 is still one of the shortest RS models Audi sells.

The five-cylinder now produces 294 kW (400 PS) and 480 Nm. Quattro drive can send up to 100 % of the torque to the rear axle when the front wheels lose grip. An "Edition 10 Years" special of 555 cars marked a decade of the model in October 2022.

Across the two generations, output rose by 66 kW, which is 29 % by our calculation. The second car carries 5.8 kg per kW of kerb weight.

Chassis, brakes and wheels

The standard RS sport suspension sits 10 mm lower than on other second-generation Q3 models. RS sport suspension plus with adaptive dampers is optional. Steel brakes use 375 mm front discs, and the optional ceramic system has 380 mm front discs with aluminium calipers and saves about 10 kg. Wheels are 20-inch as standard and 21-inch as an option.

These parts make the RS Q3 firm. The old 1cars review found the first-generation suspension too stiff for potholed roads. The later adaptive dampers soften the worst impacts.

Cabin, boot and practicality

The cabin follows the normal Q3, with RS sports seats, an RS steering wheel and RS displays in the digital instrument panel. Five people fit, but three adults across the rear bench is a squeeze. The RS Q3 boot holds 530 to 675 litres depending on the position of the sliding rear bench, and up to 1,525 litres with the seats folded. The Sportback offers up to 1,400 litres.

Compared with the first car, the second RS Q3 gained a lot of space. By our calculation, its smallest boot figure is 49 % larger than the 356 litres quoted for the first generation.

Fuel use, running costs and safety

Audi quotes 8.8 to 8.9 l/100 km for the second generation on the NEDC-based cycle, with 202 to 203 g/km of CO₂. Real use is higher when the engine is worked hard. Tyres, brakes and the twin-clutch gearbox service make the RS Q3 costly to run for its size; the 1cars fuel cost calculator shows what that means over a year.

Euro NCAP rated the Q3 in 2011 and 2019 with five stars each time, and the RS Q3 uses the same body. It was not tested separately.

Rivals: how the RS Q3 compares

The AMG is the closest match on pace. The BMW is cheaper and less powerful. The Macan is larger and more expensive. Put any two of these side by side with the 1cars comparison tool, or see where they place in the 1cars rankings.