The Audi RS 3 is a compact car built from 2017 to 2026 over 2 generations. Engines offered: 5-cyl. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the RS 3 is
The Audi RS 3 is a compact car that Audi built from 2017 to 2026 — 10 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2025. It has been offered with 5-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Audi range: A5, S5, A3.
RS 3 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the RS 3's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the RS 3 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-2021 | 448 cm | 263 cm | - | - | - |
| 2025-2026 | 453 cm | 263 cm | 1640 kg | +5 cm | - |
Audi RS 3 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment RS 3 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Audi RS 3 have? Power & range
The Audi RS 3 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.5L 5-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Audi RS 3, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-cyl | 2.5L · 5-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The RS 3 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Audi RS 3. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | RS 3 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 8 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 3 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $1,821/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 28 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Audi RS 3?
The RS 3 is a compact car, built from 2017 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 5-cyl.
How many generations does the RS 3 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2025. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Audi RS 3 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the RS 3 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific RS 3?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Audi
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.