2025 Audi RS3: The Ultimate Sport Sedan Review
The facelifted 2025 Audi RS3 boasts enhanced agility and a more aggressive look.
What's New for 2025?
Audi has given its compact powerhouse, the RS3, a significant mid-cycle update for 2025. While the horsepower remains unchanged, the focus has been on refining the car's precision and aesthetic appeal. The result is a machine that feels both more aggressive and more controlled. [2]
Key updates include a visual refresh with a new front bumper featuring larger air intakes, a full-width front splitter, and a revised grille. The headlights and taillights get a modern treatment, with the Matrix LED headlights offering four different customizable daytime running light signatures. Audi has also introduced three striking new paint colors: Ascari Blue, Progressive Red, and a matte Daytona Gray.
Inside, drivers are greeted by a new flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel that enhances the sporty feel. While Europe gets the option of stunning carbon-fiber-backed bucket seats, this feature won't be available in the United States.
The Heart of the Beast: Engine and Performance
The soul of the 2025 Audi RS3 remains its unique and beloved turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine. In the U.S. market, this powerhouse produces a formidable 401 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This engine is a unicorn in today's automotive landscape, celebrated for its distinctive thrumming soundtrack that sets it apart from any four or six-cylinder competitor.
Paired with a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system, the RS3 is ferociously quick. Independent tests have clocked its 0-60 mph time at an astonishing 3.2 seconds, a figure that embarrasses many dedicated sports cars. Despite this explosive performance, the RS3 remains surprisingly efficient, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined.
2025 Audi RS3: A Masterclass in Handling
If the engine is the heart of the RS3, its chassis is the brain. For 2025, Audi's engineers have honed the car's handling to a razor's edge. The key innovation is the updated software for the RS Torque Splitter on the rear axle. This system can distribute 100% of the rear torque to the outside wheel, drastically improving turn-in and minimizing understeer.
This, combined with recalibrated adaptive dampers, results in a car that is more stable at speed and more eager to attack corners. The proof is in the numbers: the 2025 RS3 set a new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for its class at 7 minutes and 33.123 seconds, over seven seconds faster than its pre-facelift predecessor.
For those seeking even more thrills, the RS Torque Rear mode (a.k.a. drift mode) has been refined to make controlled slides easier and more intuitive. Yet, when driven sedately, the car is composed and comfortable enough for daily commutes. Explore more about Audi's performance lineup in our Audi S-model overview.
The 2025 Audi RS3 combines raw power with record-breaking track capability.
Design, Interior, and Technology
The RS3's cabin is a driver-focused environment that mirrors the A3 and S3 in layout but adds exclusive, sporty touches. Aggressively bolstered front seats hold you firmly in place, while the digital gauge cluster features RS-specific graphics. The new flat-top, flat-bottom Alcantara steering wheel is a tactile and visual highlight.
While the front passenger space is ample, the rear seats are tight, a common trait in the subcompact sedan class. The dashboard is modern and well-laid-out, with a central touchscreen for infotainment and physical buttons for climate controls, a welcome feature in an increasingly screen-dependent world. You can compare its features with other luxury sedans in our compact luxury sedan comparison.
2025 Audi RS3 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter DOHC 20-valve inline-5 |
| Horsepower | 401 hp @ 6,500 rpm (U.S. spec) |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic |
| Drivetrain | Quattro All-Wheel Drive with RS Torque Splitter |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.2 seconds (as tested) |
| Top Speed | 155 mph (180 mph with Dynamic Plus package) |
| Starting Price (MSRP) | \$64,695 (including destination) |
| Fuel Economy (EPA) | 20 City / 29 Hwy / 23 Combined MPG |
Buying Guide: Pricing and Options
The 2025 Audi RS3 starts at an attractive \$64,695, including the destination fee. This positions it competitively against rivals like the BMW M2 and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45. While Audi offers few standalone options, the key decision for performance enthusiasts is the Dynamic Plus package.
This package typically includes carbon-ceramic front brakes, an increased top speed limiter (to 180 mph), and a carbon-fiber engine cover. For those planning frequent track days, adding the optional Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R track tires is highly recommended for transformative grip and handling. For daily drivers, the updated standard performance tires offer a better balance of longevity and grip.
Conclusion: A Five-Cylinder Masterpiece
The 2025 Audi RS3 is more than just a car; it's an experience. It’s a celebration of a unique engine configuration, blended with cutting-edge chassis technology and wrapped in a stylish, aggressive package. By focusing on enhancing precision and driver engagement rather than chasing higher horsepower figures, Audi has created a more balanced and rewarding sport sedan. It stands as a testament to the fact that immense fun can come in a compact package. To see how it stacks up against its predecessors, check out our history of the Audi RS3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is new for the 2025 Audi RS3?
The 2025 Audi RS3 features a mid-cycle refresh with more aggressive front and rear bumpers, customizable LED lights, new paint and wheel options, a new steering wheel, and significant software updates to the chassis and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system for improved handling.
How much horsepower does the 2025 Audi RS3 have?
The U.S. version of the 2025 Audi RS3 is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine that produces 401 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The engine itself did not receive a power increase from the previous model year.
What is the price of the 2025 Audi RS3?
The 2025 Audi RS3 has a starting MSRP of \$64,695, which includes the destination fee. Pricing can increase with optional packages like the Dynamic Plus package.
Is the Audi RS3 a good daily driver?
Yes, the Audi RS3 is considered a capable daily driver. Despite its high-performance nature, it offers a surprisingly comfortable ride in its "Comfort" mode and a quiet cabin, making it composed for regular road use. However, its rear passenger space is limited.
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