The Audi RS 3 has 9 EPA ratings on record, 2017 to 2026.
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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the BMW M4 gets 19 mpg, the BMW M2 19 mpg and the Bentley Continental 19 mpg, next to 23 mpg for the 2026 RS 3. The RS 3 is the cheapest of them to run: $351 a year less than the BMW M4.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.139 |
| Fuel per year | $1,670 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,350 |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,400 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Audi RS 3 gives up 9 mpg in town: 29 on the highway against 20 in the city, $596 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29 mpg | $1,324 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (45%) | 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.
| 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 2026 Audi RS 3 get?
23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2017 the RS 3 has averaged 22.7 mpg.
Is the 2026 RS 3 more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 23 against 23 mpg combined.
Which RS 3 year has the best gas mileage?
The 2026, at 23 mpg combined (20 city, 29 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the RS 3 get better gas mileage than the BMW M4?
Yes: 23 mpg for the 2026 RS 3 against 19 for the 2027 BMW M4, about $351 a year less to run.
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