Used 2018 Audi RS 3 Base for sale 

The Audi RS3 comes in a single trim and is the most performance-oriented version of the A3 sedan. Priced at $59,075 the RS3 comes with a 2.5 liter turbocharged engine making 400hp, a dual-clutch transmission, Nappa leather upholstery, a lot of RS badges and treatment, and the famous Quattro system.

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We recommend buying the car and getting a few optional packages in the technology department. We also recommend buying the car in Nardo Grey, which makes it look sporty and also gets carbon fiber exterior parts. 

The Audi RS 3 is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 engine, which makes 400hp and 354lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission that provides quick and smooth shifts, while it directs all the power to the famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The gears on the S-Tronic transmission can be changed manually with the help of the paddle shifters situated behind the steering wheel or the selector lever. 

While testing its performance, the Audi RS 3 does the 0-60 sprint in 3.9 seconds and the standing quarter-mile in 12 seconds. It will continue to its electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. There is the option to have the electronically limited top speed increased to 174 mph. This performance is good enough to put a smile on your face. 

The most powerful of the above is the BMW M3 making 425hp. Following this is the Audi RS 3 making 400hp, the Jaguar XE S making 380, and then comes the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 making 363hp, the least powerful of the above cars. In performance tests, the Audi RS 3 is the fastest of the above cars in the 0 to 60 mph sprint and even standing quarter mile. Following this is the BMW M3, the Jaguar XE S, and then the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43.

The 2018 Audi RS 3 gives an EPA estimated as 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg of 22, these are average numbers of a compact performance sedan. Audi equips the RS 3 with a 14.5-gallon fuel tank. This allows the RS 3 to have a range of 275 in the city, 406 miles are on the highway, and a combined range of 319 miles.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 and the Jaguar XE S provide the best-combined mpg figures of 23. Following this is the Audi RS 3 with a combined mpg of 22, and then comes the BMW M3 with a combined figure of 20mpg. Due to the very sizes of fuel tanks installed, the range varies with the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 giving the most combined range of 400 miles. Then comes the Jaguar offering 381 miles, the Audi RS 3 (319 miles), and the BMW M3 (316 miles). 

The interior of the new Audi RS 3 is a classical Audi interior where simplicity and sophistication are the themes. The cabin of the RS 3 can seat up to 5 adults comfortably in performance-based luxury. The front row seats are 10-way power-adjustable, heated, Sport seats with 4-way power lumbar support. The trunk has 10 cu.ft. of space to hold items, and the rear seats fold down in the 40/20/40 configuration in case you want to carry more cargo. 

The upholstery is top of the line Nappa Leather, and this will be found on the seats which also have RS embossing and contrast diamond stitching. Sport leather or suede can be found on the steering wheel and door inserts too. The interior surfaces are finished in Aluminum.

For comfort and convenience, there is 2-zone climate control and cupholders in the front and rear. The trunk release is on the key fob, also is the Push button start. 

In terms of legroom, all the above performance sedans offer marginally a bit more or a bit less space when compared. This is for both the front row and the back row of seats. However, there is a difference when it comes to truck space, here is the Jaguar XE S offers the most (14.7 cu.ft.). Then comes the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 (12.6 cu.ft.), the BMW M3 (12 cu.ft.) and then the least of the above is the Audi RS 3 (10 cu.ft). A quick recap of interior features of the 2018 Audi RS 3:

• Nappa Leather upholstery on the seats
• 10-way power-adjustable S Sport front seats
• 2-Zone climate control
• Front and rear cup holders
• remote access trunk release 
• Push-button start

How intuitive is the Infotainment unit of the 2018 Audi RS 3?

Audi is known for its technology, and the new RS 3 is not going to lack in this aspect. Included is the MMI touchscreen display which has all the information on the car and will take care of your entertainment needs. MMI touchscreen uses a redesigned visuals and menu structure including easier to find search. Also included in the system is navigation with the option of Navigation Plus and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. Some of the infotainment system’s features are:

• Smartphone connectivity - Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Navigation, available navigation plus
• Bang and Olufsen 14-speaker sound system
• Audi Connect 
• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• AUX Connection
• Hands-Free Telephony

This is the first production version of the RS 3 sedan to come into the market but has a familiar design as it is the RS 3 Sportback with a boot. The front end is similar and takes the horizontal grille slats away from the design and adds a honeycomb mesh grille in black along with “Quattro" logo above the front splitter. The headlights include the RS daytime running lights. In the rear, the RS signature dual exhaust outlets on each side of a rear diffuser, which will happily sing the sounds of the 400hp engine. 

When it comes to painting, the RS 3 gets the RS plain color choices of Nardo gray and Catalunya Red. By stock there are 19” wheels in bi-color and 5-arm blade design, you could change the accent color on the wheels but not the size. The window surrounds come in black, and you can get the rearview mirrors to match them. There is also a lip spoiler on the rear, which will add to the downforce. 

From the dimensions we can immediately notice that Audi RS 3 is nearly 10 inches shorter in length than its rivals, the wheelbase is shorter too, as mentioned earlier that it is a Sportback with a boot. The rest of the dimensions are nearly the same, just marginal differences. In terms of curb weight, the Audi RS 3 is on the lighter side of the above cars. The BMW M3 is the lightest, and then comes the Audi RS 3, which is 20 pounds heavier, even though it is shorter in length. A quick recap of the exterior features are:

• RS grille 
• Rear-dual exhausts
• 19” wheels with 5-arm blade (spoke) design
• RS paint choices
• Lip spoiler
• Aggressive RS styling with RS and Quattro logos

The 2018 Audi RS 3 has not yet completed its NHTSA testing, but the car with which the RS 3 shares a platform and structure with, the Audi A3 Sedan has scored an overall 5-star rating out of a possible 5 stars. The IIHS has not tested the 2018 RS 3. But, has tested the Audi A3 sedan, and it has brilliant scores in all its tests earning it 2018 Top Safety Pick in the Midsize Luxury Car/4-door Sedan category. This is thanks to Audi’s brilliant engineering and also the number of safety features included in the sedan. Some of these safety features are:

• Electronic Stability Control
• ABS and Traction Control
• Audi Pre Sense basic
• Audi Front and rear parking system (sensors)
• Pedestrian Monitor
• Adaptive Cruise control 
• Emergency braking 
• rear cross-traffic warning

Audi RS 3 vs the Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 

The AMG C43 is slightly cheaper and is also less powerful and lacking in performance. This adds to Audi’s brilliant engineering. However, the rear seats in the AMG C43 do have more space and also more trunk space, making it much more practical. However, the Audi RS 3’s performance and driving dynamics makes us prefer it to the AMG C43

Audi RS 3 vs the BMW M3

The BMW M3 is more powerful and similarly matched in performance and comes with a manual transmission, making it a much more appealing option. It comes with similar interior dimensions and more space in the trunk. However, Audi is more affordable with better fuel economy, not to forget the Quattro system and the dual-clutch gearbox, making it a winner.

Audi RS 3 vs the Jaguar XE S

The Jaguar comes with more trunk space and slightly better MPG numbers, and that's it. The RS 3 performs better in the other performance comparisons, making it a thrill to drive. The 2018 Jaguar XE S is no less, but the RS 3’s performance wins this battle. 

Audi RS 3 is a good example of a performance sedan and disrupts the performance sedan market with a compact sedan offering. It comes with a unique 5-cylinder engine which produces more power than some of the 6-cylinder rivals and offers one of the best driving dynamics of any vehicle in the market while providing a lot of luxury and technology in a stylish package.