2020 (70) Audi Rs Q3 RS Q3 TFSI Quattro Vorsprung 5dr S Tronic

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

If you crave a small SUV with super sportscar-style performance from the 2020-2025 period, then Audi thinks you'll like this F3-era RS Q3, which was offered in both standard and stylish Sportback forms. This is the quickest you'll probably ever want to go in any kind of SUV - and there's an emotive five cylinder soundtrack too. If you've outgrown hot hatches, don't need a huge amount of interior space and want something very rapid that's fashionable yet practical, then this RSUV might be just what you're looking for.

History

The very first Audi SUV to get the brand's full-sporting RS treatment was this one, the RS Q3. The original model was launched back in 2013 and started what is now a growing trend for high performance compact SUVs. In first and second generation forms, it featured the brand's classic 2.5-litre five cylinder turbo petrol engine borrowed from the company's TT RS sports car. But whereas in the original RS Q3, that unit put out 340PS, in the MK2 model we look at here it develops 400PS. At the time of this F3-era RS Q3 model's launch in 2019, that extra power was needed to take on cars like the Turbo and GTS versions of Porsche's Macan, BMW's X3 M40i and the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45. Plus potential buyers were also looking at cars like the Volkswagen T-ROC R, the CUPRA Ateca and the BMW X2 M35i. To give the RS Q3 the widest possible appeal in this company, Audi offered it with two body styles - this standard Q3 shape and the alternative sleeker RS Q3 Sportback variant. The MK2 F3-era RS Q3 sold until mid-2025.

What You Get

The F3-era Q3's squat, slightly conservative styling gets a shot in the arm with this RS model. At the front, the car's RS genes are apparent in the flat slits above the borderless Singleframe radiator grille, which has a three-dimensional gloss black honeycomb structure and is inset deeply into the RS bumper with its large side air inlets and striking boomerang-shaped blades. Depending on version, the car features either LED headlights or Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS-specific darkened trims. In profile, you'll notice the pronounced wheel arches, which are flared by 10mm and shroud the huge 20-inch 10-spoke star alloy wheels that are exclusive to this variant (even larger 21-inch rims were optional). If you've got a car whose original owner specified the optional ceramic brakes, they'll be designated by evocative red calipers. With its sloping coupe-like roof line, the RS Q3 Sportback sits lower than the RS Q3 SUV, and its rising shoulder line is set further down than in its sister car, lowering the body's optical centre of gravity. At the rear, there are piercing LED tail lamps and you get an RS-specific bumper with a rear diffuser and horizontal blades in matt aluminium. Many original buyers spent more on the optional dual-branch RS exhaust system, which has large oval tailpipes on both sides and chrome-coloured trims. If you've got a car whose owner specified the optional 'Black Styling Pack', the Audi rings will be finished in gloss black. Drop inside and you'll spot more RS accents. The RS sport leather steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, includes bespoke shift paddles and multifunction buttons that allow the driver to control the two RS modes in the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. Through this wheel, you view the standard Audi 'virtual cockpit plus' instrument binnacle screen. This incorporates a shift light display that prompts the driver to upshift when the maximum engine speed is reached, and also special RS displays providing information on tyre pressure, torque, power output, lap times, g-forces and acceleration measurements. Elsewhere around the cabin, the centre stack, as with other Q3 variants, is trimmed in high gloss piano black and features a 10.1-inch MMI Navigation Plus central touchscreen. In the back, as usual with a compact SUV, the rear bench is comfortable for two adults - but rather tight for the carriage of three. Still, it helps that it can slide fore and aft by up to 150mm in this Q3 (or by up to 130mm in the alternative Q3 Sportback). Plus the three-way split backrests can be tilted in seven stages. The luggage compartment holds 530 litres with either body style. And with the 40:20:40-split backrest folded down, the figure rises to 1,525 litres (or 1,400-litres in the Sportback variant).

What to Look For

Even though the 2.5-litre turbocharged five cylinder engine is proven, its turbochargers are known to face wear and tear over time, which leads to some performance-related issues. Common issues you might come across with the turbo in this RS Q3 include turbo lag, boost leaks or even full turbocharger failure. All of this is due to the high operating temperatures and pressures the turbocharger operates at in this car. That excessive heat can cause its internal components to degrade over time, leading to lower levels of performance. And if the original owner hasn't adequately lubricated the engine or has used poor quality oil, that could have damaged the turbo's bearings. Boost leaks occur when a leak in the intake system causes loss of air pressure and reduces efficiency. These leaks can be caused by damaged hoses, loose clamps or cracked intercoolers. On the test drive, look for a noticeable drop in power, acceleration and a loud whining noise from the engine bay in front, particularly under hard acceleration. All of these things can be symptoms of turbocharger problems, as can excessive turbo lag and blue or black smoke from the exhaust. Find out how the car you're looking at has been maintained. To avoid turbocharger issues, the owner needs to have used high quality synthetic oil and followed the recommended oil change intervals. Inspecting the intake hoses and intercooler for signs of wear and tear can help catch boost leaks early. Apart from turbocharging, look out for issues with the DSG transmission, including rough shifting, hesitation and transmission fluid leaks. We've also heard of suspension issues, including worn out bushings, control arms and shock absorbers. Look out for clunking noises on the test drive that might be a sign of this - and check for uneven tyre wear. A rough and bouncy ride can also the signal issues. We've heard of electrical problems like malfunctioning infotainment systems ranging up to full electrical failures. Look out for erroneous warning lights on the dashboard and erratic behaviour from infotainment system. This car has a powerful braking system but brake components can wear out, so look out for squeaky noises or vibrations during braking. Otherwise it's just the usual things. Check the alloy wheels for scuffs, the interior for child damage and make sure you insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2021 RS Q3 - Ex Vat - audipartsdirect.co.uk & autodoc.co.uk) Rear brake pads cost £131. An air filter is £28. An oil filter is about £16. Front brake disc costs vary widely on brand - anything between £93 and £290. Or £76-£280 for rear discs. Starter motor costs also vary widely on brand - £75-£195. Alternator costs also vary widely on brand - £200-£452

On the Road

There's no doubt about it: this RS Q3 feels ballistically quick. And is on paper too. A rest to 62mph sprint time of just 4.5s en route to as much as 174mph puts this car on a par with the far pricier Porsche Macan Turbo. And you can access quite a lot of this performance in all kinds of conditions thanks to this RS model's use of Audi's quattro 4WD system which is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic paddleshift auto transmission. This car's 2.5-litre 400PS five cylinder powerplant has always been one of Audi's more charismatic units and has a wonderfully emotive roar as it revs up towards the 7,000rpm red line. Sadly though, the addition of a petrol particulate filter means that you lose much of the exhaust pop and crackle on downshifts that you used to get with the previous generation version of this model. Even if you get a car whose original owner paid extra for a version with the rortier switchable-flap RS exhaust system. You get two customisable RS driving modes (and a steering wheel button to swap between them) which alter throttle response, steering feel and, if they've been fitted, the settings of the adaptive dampers. 'Dynamic' is the red mist option, but you'll find its settings too firm for everyday use. Audi claims that 85% of the engine's torque can be sent to the rear axle, which sounds like a recipe for fun. In fact though, the drivetrain is primarily a front-driven system - and feels like it when you hustle the car through the corners. This - and the fact that the precise, direct 'Progressive' steering lacks that last enth degree of feel - mean that this car is more about meteoric point-to-point progress than driver engagement.

Overall

This MK2 RS Q3 delivers charisma, attitude and excitement. Yes, you'll need to dig deep for the privilege, but given that many of its rivals can fall into this price bracket while featuring less power, the money asked for the RS Q3 doesn't seem too excessive. A properly sporting compact SUV is the answer to a question few really ask, but once sampled it's hard to resist. This RS Q3 can deliver Porsche Macan Turbo-style performance for a lot less. It can't quite deliver Macan-style drive dynamics - but for many likely buyers, that won't matter too much. Back in 2019, this was the fastest small Audi SUV there had ever been. For many potential customers, that'll be all they need to know.