fbpx
Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

Audi RS Q3

(2019 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

57
%
D

Used car score:

58
%
D

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

55
%
E

Safety Rating:

75
%
B

Eco Rating:

43
%
C

Reliability Rating:

91
%
A

Running Costs:

25
%
E

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

57
%
D

Used car score:

58
%
D

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

55
%
E

Safety Rating:

75
%
B

Eco Rating:

43
%
C

Reliability Rating:

91
%
A

Running Costs:

25
%
E

Summary


The Audi RS Q3 is the sporty performance-enhanced version of the regular Q3 range, available in regular SUV and ‘Sportback’ coupé SUV body styles.

This ‘hot’ SUV slots into the market above cheaper performance SUVs like the Cupra Ateca and below luxury options like the Lamborghini Urus, and directly rivals the BMW X2 M35i, Mercedes-AMG GLA 45, and Porsche Macan S. With stiff competition like this, a few reviewers find the RS Q3 hard to recommend.

While it is slightly slower overall than hot hatch cousins like the RS 3, Carbuyer says that it is still very quick in a straight line, with more composed handling in the corners than the standard Q3 too. Beyond the SUV practicality it offers, Carwow adds that its soundtrack makes it a stand-out choice. “That characterful five-cylinder engine. It just sounds better than the competition.”

Drawbacks aside, the RS Q3’s well-equipped interior, sporty exterior and engine soundtrack will be appealing to any Audi owner looking for a performance-tuned model upgrade, but for some this is not enough. “For proper driving enthusiasts”, Honest John concludes, “the Macan wins every time, even if the RS Q3 makes all the right noises.”

As of January 2025, the Audi RS Q3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of D with a score of 57%.

RS Q3 highlights

  • Straight-line speed
  • Well-equipped as standard
  • More practical than RS hot hatches
  • Great engine soundtrack

RS Q3 lowlights

  • Thirsty engines
  • Some cheap interior plastics
  • Rivals are more fun to drive
  • Stiff suspension

Key specifications


Body style: Medium SUV and coupé-SUV
Engines:
petrol
Price:
From £57,185 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Evo

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2018
Date expired: January 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 85%

The Audi RS Q3 has not specifically been assessed by Euro NCAP, but it shares its safety score with the regular Audi Q3 range which was awarded a five-star rating in 2018. However, this rating expired in January 2025 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used RS Q3 to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Audi RS Q3 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of January 2025, the Audi Q3 range (including the RS Q3) has an excellent reliability score, according to workshop data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current version of the Q3 and the previous (pre-2018) generation.

To date, average repair bills for the Q3 have been relatively low, at about £400. Suspension problems are the most common faults, although they’re relatively inexpensive with an average repair bill of about £250. Engine problems are also reasonably common and are inevitably more expensive to fix, with an average repair bill of about £850. Gearbox bills have been very expensive, but seem to be rare.

If you’re looking at a used Audi RS Q3, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models29 mpgE28 – 29 mpgE – E
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models223 g/kmD217 – 231 g/kmD – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models41D29 – 43C – D
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£508D
Year 2£1,186D
Year 3£1,893D
Year 4£2,149D
Year 5£2,930D
Overall£8,666D

The running costs for the Audi RS Q3 can get quite expensive, according to full-life costings provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is poor and insurance costs can get quite expensive. Finally, scheduled servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are predicted to be more expensive than the average car.

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Audi RS Q3, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Alfa Romeo Tonale | BMW X2 M35i | Cupra Ateca | Jaguar E-Pace | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works | Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 | Porsche Macan S | Volkswagen T-Roc R | Volkswagen Tiguan R

Buy an Audi RS Q3


If you’re looking to buy a new or used Audi RS Q3, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

Motors 600x300

Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more

Lease an Audi RS Q3


If you’re looking to lease a new Audi RS Q3, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

Leasing-com logo

Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more

Carparison 600x300

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

Select Car Leasing logo

Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more

Subscribe to an Audi RS Q3


If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

Drive Fuze logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
Find out more

Wagonex logo 2023 600x300

Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more

Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more

Used car finance

Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
We Finance Any Car 400x200

Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
Find out more

Blue Motor Finance

Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
Find out more

Happy Motor Finance 600x300

Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
Find out more

Sell your car

Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
Motorway 600x300

Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
Find out more

Best car rankings

The top cars in every category

The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, analysing scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

This page last updated:

This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

The Audi RS Q3 is certainly quick in a straight line, but reviewers conclude that its SUV rivals are more fun and comfortable on the move.Audi RS Q3