For the 2021 Model Year, the Audi RS 3 arrives with only one trim to offer similar to the previous model years. However, the standard model comes packed with several packages and features. A 2.5L turbocharged inline-5 engine with Quattro AWD, 19-inch alloy wheels, Adaptive cruise control, LED DRLs, heated exterior mirrors, Titanium grey Inlays in 3D design optic, and many more features come standard in the car.

Despite having a heavy dose of standard features, you can load the car with several optional features too. These include:

• RS Performance package:

-Choice of 19” alloy wheels with wider front tires 

-Audi magnetic ride – adaptive damper system with various suspension settings

-705-watt 14 speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System

-Carbon fiber inlays

• RS Design package:

-Armrests in black monopod with contrasting stitching in red.

-Knee pads on the center console in black Alcantara with contrasting stitching in red.

-Air vents in black with red inserts.

-Seat belts in black with a red edge

-Floor mats in black with RS 3 logo and contrasting stitching in red.

• Extended matt aluminum styling package
• Extended black high gloss styling package

Which Trim should you buy?

The 2021 RS 3 comes in only one trim option to choose from. The car already comes with several best-in-class features that make it worthwhile. The affair doesn’t end here. Apart from the attractive standard features, the company provides many optional packages as mentioned above. In our opinion, the RS Performance Package should be the best fit alongside the purchase of the car. The package brings an attractive wheel design, a premium sound system by B&O, and other essential embellishments.

The 2021 Audi RS 3 sedan comes with a 2.5L turbocharged inline-5 engine coupled with a 7-speed Dual Clutch Automatic transmission. This duo produces 415horsepower and 369 lb-ft torque. While we are familiar with inline-4 and inline-6, this unique inline-5 config is what made the RS 3 famous. The exhaust note is really unique and the engine redlines at 6,900 rpm. 

The vehicle comes standard with the renowned Quattro AWD tech which helps the car stay planted on the roads. The powerful engine and the Quattro tech provide an incisive push to the vehicle which helps it to cover 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile run in a mere 12 seconds. The dynamic and powerful engine provides the car with an adequate performance which helps in a pleasant driving experience. The car has a top speed of 155 mph.

The Audi RS3 enjoys the best engine attribute here and the unique inline-5 config takes things up even a notch more. It offers the best performance on paper, fastest 0 to 60 mph, and the quickest car to cover a quarter-mile. For enthusiasts, M2 Competition comes with a 6-speed manual and RWD drivetrain. This is definitely a sweet deal but you can’t ignore the AMG CLA45 and Stinger GT2 too. All cars in the competition offer one thing unique or the other.

The Merc comes very close in terms of 0-60 mph performance to the S3, clocking a time of 3.9 seconds. The BMW takes 4 seconds, whereas the Stinger is the slowest with a time of 4.7 seconds. The Merc has the most top speed at 168 mph.

How well does the 2021 Audi RS 3 Sedan handle?

Taking a look at the 2021 RS 3 sedan’s sleek and sporty exterior and the massive engine under the hood, it's typical to believe how difficult it may be to handle it. However, in reality, that’s not the case. The car not only is swift but also provides a dynamic driving experience. The steering is responsive and smooth and it performs well in the city. It balances itself well in the city traffic, is easy to park in tight spots and maintains excellent etiquettes on the go. 

On highways, the car is a beast, but is tamable. It has minimal body roll and can tread through curves and corners easily. The suspension is on the juvenile side but absorbs the bumps and jolts from bad road conditions easily. Overall, it provides a stabilized and pleasant ride.

Braking Performance

The 2021 Audi RS 3 sedan comes equipped with a powerful engine that can set the tarmac on fire. To counteract that, it comes equipped with 14.6-inch rotors on the front and 12.2-inch rotors on the rear. This brake setup helps the car come to a stop at 109 feet from 60-0 mph. The brakes are further enhanced with features like ABS and brake assist which comes in handy during an emergency.

BMW M2 has the best braking performance of 107 feet thanks to its lower curb weight and large 15-inch brake rotors. In fact, the BMW M2 has the largest front and rear brake rotors among these four. The 2021 RS 3 weighs a little more than the BMW and despite its smaller brake rotors it offers enough bite to stop it within 109 feet from 60-0 mph. The Merc takes the same distance as the Audi to stop, at 109 feet. 

Considering the RS 3 is a sports sedan, Audi has done an excellent job in maintaining fuel efficiency despite an increase in power for the 2021 model year. The car returns 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highways, and 22 mpg combined. The vehicle comes equipped with a 14.5-gallon fuel capacity and provides an excellent range of 319 miles combined.

The Mercedes AMG CLA 45 provides the best overall efficiency figures. When you take the power figures into account, the RS 3 is simply the most balanced car. The Kia Stinger comes equipped with a large fuel tank for its V6 engine, and is a gas-guzzler. The Audi offers the most range, followed by the Kia’s range of 318 miles combined and the Merc’s combined range of 310 miles. The M2 is the least efficient car in the lot and has a poor range of 274 miles combined.

The 2021 RS 3 has one of the most well-built and comfortable cabins you can ever be in. The cabin can house 5 people, and the passenger room provided is adequate. The cabin features Aluminum accents in the air vents, window switches and other parts of the car which provide a sophisticated look and a premium feel. The RS Sport front seats come wrapped in Nappa Leather upholstery and diamond-pattern stitching. The seats are heated and come with electric lumbar support. You can also get the Massage function included within the optional packages. 

The multifunction sports steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara leather feels deluxe, and merits a memorable driving experience. Furthermore, the cabin comes well-curated with a Front center armrest, LED reading lights front and rear, LED footwell lighting, illuminated cup holders in the front, and LED luggage compartment lighting with 12V Power Sockets. Moreover, the dashboard looks clean and sparse. The AC vents are spaced wide, a 7-inch touch display docked above the AC vents and the music system below. If we talk about the cargo space the car provides, it is on the lower side. The car offers 10 cubic feet of cargo capacity and is visibly lesser than its competitors.

The BMW M2 is the only car in the competition which comes with a 4 seater accommodation for it is a coupe by design; rest of the cars are 5 seaters. The Audi offers decent front and rear legroom. The headroom in the Audi is the least among the cars here. The Kia has the best front legroom space, whereas the BMW M2 offers the most front headroom. In the rear however, it's the Kia that offers the most headroom and legroom. On the other hand, the Kia Stinger GT comes with the best trunk capacity of 23.3 cu-ft which remains miles ahead of the other three. The Audi RS3 offers the least cargo space at just 10 cu-ft, some compact cars also feature more space. Some of the standout interior features are:

• RS sport front seats with integrated head restraints, upholstered in fine Nappa leather with diamond-patterned stitching with optional massage function.
• Audi virtual cockpit with fully digital configurable instrument cluster with 12.3-inch-high resolution color display.
• Aluminum looks like interior elements.
• Automatic air conditioning with dual-zone climate control.
• LED interior lighting package.
• Multifunction sports steering wheel in Alcantara.
• Storage and luggage compartment with 12V power socket.

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 RS 3 comes equipped with a well-balanced Infotainment System. It features a 7-inch high-resolution LCD with a navigation system and Integrated Voice control. Also, it supports Bluetooth Music Streaming and supports Apple and Android devices. In the standard model, a 10-speaker music system with center speaker and subwoofer, a 6-channel amplifier comes equipped. However, an optional Bang & Olufsen Sound System can be availed with the RS performance Package.

Some standout infotainment features on the 2021 Audi RS are:

• Audi connects with Wi-Fi hotspot and Google support.
• Smartphone Interface with Apple and Android compatibility,
• Configurable 12.3-inch-high resolution color display.
• 7-inch high-resolution color display with navigation.
• Aux-in, 2 SDXC card readers, and 10 GB flash memory.
• Integrated Voice control.
• B&O Music System. (Optional)
• Wireless charging. (Optional)

The 2021 RS 3 brings some notable changes to the exterior. The fascia now looks more aggressive and tempting with broader and muscular fenders. The front grille is wider and is positioned lower compared to previous models. The Matrix LED DRLs are sharper and wider. At the back, the wrap-around LED tail lights along with oval exhaust tips and trunk head spoiler makes the car look meaner and sharper. The red brake calipers provide a sporty look and the 19-inch 5-arm blade alloy wheels provide the final touches of the face’s appeal.

The RS 3 remains well balanced in terms of dimensions, the car is sleek and eye-catching. The Stinger GT2 leads in terms of exterior dimensions; it is the heaviest, longest, broadest, and has the largest wheelbase. The BMW is the tallest car, and it’s ground clearance of 4.6 inches also gives it a raised stance.The Audi RS 3 has the tightest wheelbase of 103.6 inches. It also has the least height of 55 inches. The length and width of the RS 3 are the least in this comparison as well. Some standout exterior features on the RS 3 are:

• 19-inch 5-arm blade alloy wheels
• Red Brake Calipers
• Heated, electrically adjustable, and folding exterior mirrors
• Audi Matrix LED headlights
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Matt Black roof rails

The 2021 RS 3 sedan is based on the Volkswagen MQB platform. The body frame is mainly composed of aluminum along with steel. Furthermore, to provide strength and a rigid structure for protection from any collision, the frame is reinforced with side impact beams and pillars which provide the car with sturdiness and safety. Apart from the well-built chassis, there are some driver assistance programs and safety measures that the car comes packed with. Standout safety features available are:

• Lane departure warning with Lane Keep Assist.
• Blind-spot Monitoring System with rear cross-traffic alert.
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking sensors with a rearview camera.
• Emergency braking assist.
• Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking.
• Automatic High-beams with DRLs.

2021 Audi RS 3 Sedan vs 2021 BMW M2 Competition

Despite the BMW M2 being packed with a more powerful engine compared to the RS 3, the RS 3 offers better performance, better fuel efficiency, and better interior space than the BMW. Also, it costs less than the BMW, making it affordable to many buyers. However, the M2 comes with better trunk space. To sweeten the deal, it comes with manual transmission which is preferred by many.

2021 Audi RS 3 Sedan vs 2021 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45

The RS 3 leads in terms of power and performance. However, the Mercedes offers better trunk space and MPG numbers. The interior of the Mercedes is classier, spacious, and functional than the Audi. Furthermore, the faceoff between the Audi gets more competitive when you see the pricing. The Mercedes costs less than the Audi by approximately $3000. Long story short, if you are looking for performance, the Audi has the clear edge. If you are looking for decent mileage, trunk space, and a classy cabin the Mercedes tends to be a better option.

2021 Audi RS 3 Sedan vs 2021 Kia Stinger GT2

The comparison between the RS 3 and Stinger GT2 should be interesting as both the cars go head to head with all they have. The GT2 enjoys a bigger engine whereas, RS 3 defines performance. Moreover, the mileage provided by the Audi remains superior and efficient. Acknowledging the attributes the Audi possesses, it’s a fair win for the German Automaker.

The 2021 Audi RS 3 is undoubtedly one of the best sport sedans in the market. The engine is capable and powerful and the chassis looks handsome and sturdy. Talking about the cabin, it's spacious, well-built and comfortable. It also comes with an intuitive infotainment system along with a good music system. For comparison, the car has better performance figures than the other competitors and can be raced on the track occasionally. In addition to that, the 2021 RS 3 is built on a strong platform and arrives equipped with essential driver assistance programs and safety features.