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 21.9 mpg.
Every Audi RS 3 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. 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
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.141 |
| Fuel per year | $1,692 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,460 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | −$61 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,400 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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
Combined figure by model year. 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
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
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 21.9 mpg, computed across 390 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.