Verdict
B
Hot Hatch · Germany · 2013-Present
Audi RS Q3
Audi RS Q3 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2013-Present
Generations
2
Segment
Hot Hatch
Hot version of the Q3 with the famous five-cylinder warble. Mk1 (8U, 2013–2018) — 2.5 TFSI 5-cyl turbo, 335 bhp at end of life. Mk2 (F3, 2019-Present) — 2.5 TFSI EA855 EVO 5-cyl, 394 bhp. RS Q3 Sportback (coupé roof) added alongside SUV in 2019. 0-62 in 4.5s. Always quattro AWD via 7-speed S-Tronic DCT. The five-cylinder warble is the reason to buy this over an SQ2 / VW T-Roc R.
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2013-2018
8U
→
2.5 TFSI quattro — 335 bhp, 0-62 in 4.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
335
0–60
4.4 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
32.0 mpg
Used
£14,000-£26,000
- + 5-cylinder warble
- + Quattro grip
- − Run-flat tyres
- − Cabin shows age
2019-Present
F3
→
2.5 TFSI quattro — 394 bhp, 0-62 in 4.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
394
0–60
4.5 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
30.0 mpg
Used
£32,000-£58,000
- + 5-cyl warble continues
- + RS Q3 Sportback option
- − Heavy
- − Premium pricing
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2013-2018 · 8U
- 2.5 TFSI carbon build-up
- 7DCT mechatronic
- Haldex pump filter
2019-Present · F3
- 2.5 TFSI EVO carbon build-up
- 7DCT mechatronic
- MMI freezes pre-2022
Rivals
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 · BMW X2 M35i · Audi SQ2 · Cupra Formentor