The Audi RS 3 does 22.7 mpg combined (19.4 city, 28.6 highway), which works out to about $1,692 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.8 mpg.
Every Audi RS 3 engine, compared
The Audi RS 3 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 19.4 / 28.6 | 2017–2026 | $1,692 |
What that actually costs
The Audi RS 3 burns a gallon every 22.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 529 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.141 |
| Fuel per year | $1,692 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,460 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | −$69 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,400 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Audi RS 3 gives up 9.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.6 out there against 19.4 in town, a 47% drop worth $636 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 19.4 mpg | $1,979 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.6 mpg | $1,343 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.2 mpg (47%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the RS 3 changed over the years
The RS 3 peaked in 2026 at 23 mpg (20 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2019 at 22 — 1 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 23. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2025 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2024 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2023 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2022 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2019 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2017 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Audi RS 3 — 1 engine across 2017–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,400. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi RS 3 get?
22.7 mpg combined on average — 19.4 in the city and 28.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2017–2026.
How much does a Audi RS 3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,692 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,460 over five years, or 0.141 dollars a mile.
Which RS 3 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 5-cyl at 22.7 mpg.
Is the RS 3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.8 mpg, computed across 217 ratings.
Are these real-world RS 3 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Audi RS 3 is $3,400 against the $1,692 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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