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Audi RS 3
The U.S. version of the Audi RS3 is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine producing 401 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, retaining its legendary output while gaining more aggressive aesthetics, smarter chassis software, and a record-breaking Nürburgring lap time. TopSpeed calls it the last 5-cylinder sports sedan, saying it holds a dominant position as the only option in its segment with a five-cylinder engine, rear-biased all-wheel drive, and a sub-3.5-second 0-to-60-mph time in a practical sedan body. MotorWeek notes the RS3's inline-five turbo delivers only 56 fewer horsepower than a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8's 450 hp, sending 369 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through a 7-speed automatic and standard quattro all-wheel drive.
Engine and what's new
Autonewsline (opens in a new tab) says the U.S. version of the 2025 Audi RS3 is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine that produces 401 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, retaining its legendary 401-hp five-cylinder engine while gaining more aggressive aesthetics, smarter chassis software, and a record-breaking Nürburgring lap time.
The last of a kind
TopSpeed (opens in a new tab) calls the RS3 the last 5-cylinder sports sedan, saying it holds a dominant position as the only option in its segment with a five-cylinder engine, rear-biased all-wheel drive, and a sub-3.5-second 0-to-60-mph time in a practical sedan body, and that a special edition celebrates Audi's 50th anniversary of the five-cylinder engine.
How it compares to a V8
MotorWeek (opens in a new tab) says a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8's 450 horsepower is only 56 more than what the RS3's inline-five turbo delivers, while sending 369 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through a 7-speed automatic and standard quattro all-wheel drive.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Audi RS3 have?
Autonewsline (opens in a new tab) says 401 hp from its 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five.
Is the Audi RS3 the only five-cylinder sports sedan?
TopSpeed (opens in a new tab) says yes, it's the only option in its segment with a five-cylinder engine, rear-biased AWD, and a sub-3.5-second 0-60.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Audi RS 3 is built around 2.5L turbo five-cylinder, rated at 394 horsepower across its compact performance sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 1 trim.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 RS 3 seats 5 and is a Compact performance sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 RS 3.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Audi RS 3
The RS 3 is Audi's smallest performance model, sharing one 394-horsepower turbo five-cylinder and standard quattro AWD across its single-trim lineup: a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Audi RS 3 model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Audi RS 3 | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Audi RS 3 | 2026 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Audi RS 3.
The Audi RS 3 is built alongside the Audi A3, and public records cover the two together. Generation history, the fact box and background are on the Audi A3 page; the safety record for the Audi RS 3 itself follows.
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Audi RS 3, most often about electrical system (1), service brakes (1), forward collision avoidance (1).
Year by year
The Audi RS 3 across 4 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Audi RS 3 | 22 | $3,650 | 1 |
| 2026 Audi RS 3 | |||
| 2018 Audi RS 3 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 |
| 2017 Audi RS 3 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Audi RS 3 trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | AWD | 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (Turbo) | 394 | 369 | 3,627 | – | 23 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Audi RS 3 model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (Turbo) | 394 | 3,627 | – | 14.5 |
| 2018 | 1 | 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (Turbo) | – | – | – | 14.5 |
| 2017 | 1 | 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (Turbo) | 400 | 3,593 | – | 14.5 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Compared with
Models this Audi RS 3 is most often compared with.
Nearest Audi models
Other Audi models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 RS 3 come in?
The 2026 Audi RS 3 (compact performance sedan) is offered in one trim, quattro S Tronic.
Q02What are the 2026 RS 3 trims?
The 2026 Audi RS 3 comes in one trim, quattro S Tronic.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 RS 3 use?
The 2026 Audi RS 3 is built around 2.5L turbo five-cylinder, rated at 394 horsepower across its compact performance sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 RS 3 have?
The 2026 Audi RS 3 is rated at 394 horsepower (2.5L turbo five-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 RS 3?
The 2026 Audi RS 3 is offered with Standard AWD (quattro).