sgcarmart logo
cart button icon
sgcarmart sign in icon
  • dropdown white triangle iconLogin
  • Sign up
  • All Sections
  • New Cars
  • Used Cars
  • Motor Directory
  • Product Guide
  • Articles
  • Forum
cart button icon
  • Login
  • Sign up
sgcarmart logo
  • login iconLogin|Sign up
  • New Cars
  • Used Cars
  • Car Loan
  • Rental Cars
  • Sell Cars
    • Sell By Yourself
    • Sell By Bidding
    • Sell By Consignment
  • Directory
  • e-Shop
  • Insurance
  • Articles
    • Car Reviews
    • Car Advice
    • Car News
    • Car Features
    • Car Videos
  • Forum
  • Resources
  • My Shortlist iconMy Shortlist
  • Home iconHome
  • New Cars iconNew Carsdropdown menu arrow icon
    • • Find New Cars
    • • New Car Promotions
    • • COE Results
  • Used Cars iconUsed Cars
  • Car Loan iconCar Loan
  • Rental Cars iconRental Cars
  • Sell My Car iconSell My Cardropdown menu arrow icon
    • • Post an Ad
    • • Sell by Bidding
    • • Consignment
    • • Free Car Valuation
    • • Advertiser's Login
  • e-Shop icone-Shop
  • Motor Directory iconMotor Directory
  • Accessories iconAccessories
  • Insurance iconInsurance
  • Articles iconArticles
  • Forum iconForum
  • Resources iconResources
  • Download Our App iconDownload Our App
  • All Articles
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Advice
  • Features
  • Videos
All
Reviews
News
Advice
Features
Videos

Home arrow Car Articles arrowReviews arrowReviews Listings arrowAudi Reviews

Audi RS Q3 2.5 TFSI qu S tronic (A) Review

16 Feb 2021Viewed : 8,875 times
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
The Audi RS Q3 is a mighty performance SUV with serious firepower yet manages to be well-mannered when you turn down the fun.
What We Like
Brutal power delivery
Tremendous soundtrack from its five-cylinder turbo
Lots of grip
Easy and comfortable on the road
What We Dislike
Understated looks might not work for some

In a world of shared platforms, it seems like every manufacturer can make a performance car out of anything.

It isn't a bad thing. Having a performance variant out of your preferred body style is great. But these new performance cars lack quite a bit of charm and character.

In that respect, the RS Q3 is pretty different.

So it is a fast model?

The RS Q3 is a real sleeper car, especially in this colour and with its badges blacked out
Effectively, the RS Q3 is the top-spec performance model you can get that is based off the Audi Q3.

Here, you do have more aggressive bumpers and definitive twin RS exhausts. Still, it is quite an understated car. There's nothing much that is immediately telling of its performance credentials - even the badges are all blacked out.

There's a lot to like about an understated car. And if attention is a requirement, there are louder colour choices such as Kyalami Green (which is very green).

Some red inside

These red Alcantara inserts aren't just visual enhancements, they feel good to the touch, too
Inside, the RS touches are a little more noticeable. There are RS specific seats, along with red and black Alcantara inserts that adorn the cabin.

But the qualities of the Q3 SUV are still present. Infotainment is sorted via Audi's 10.1-inch MMI display that comes with wireless Apple CarPlay, along with a better 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

You're not losing out here. After all, Audi interiors aren't just pleasing to look at, they are usable spaces too. Practicality is surprisingly not compromised despite the car having a quattro all-wheel drive system. Boot space remains at 530 litres - similar to the regular Q3.

Didn't you say this car is different?

There's nothing quite like a five-cylinder turbocharged soundtrack
You can tell there's quite a bit of restraint when it comes to the RS Q3, but we haven't got to the best bit yet.

The RS Q3 sports what could be the most exciting engine in its class. It's a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo that makes 395bhp and 480Nm of torque.

Moving off, things aren't apparent that this is a performance SUV. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission doesn't make an effort to be snappy with its shifts at low RPMs either.

But push it past 3,000rpm and the RS Q3 quickly turns into a bull that has seen red.

Rowdy fella

Hit the RS button and the digital cockpit switches to an RS-centric one, displaying the most information related to performance
Power delivery is almost never-ending. In fact, nothing seems to hold back the RS Q3 when it is on full power. And then you realise there is an RS drive button, sitting inconspicuously on the steering wheel. Hit it and you get two pre-set, but customisable RS modes.

The 12.1-inch digital instrument display switches to an RS-specific display. Get on the throttle again and you're greeted with a pronounced and truly special soundtrack that you can only get with a five-cylinder.

In fact, keep your foot pinned and the RS Q3 never runs out of breath. License-revoking speeds are easy - thankfully the six-piston calipers do an impressive job of shedding excess speed - which makes you wonder if there's a need to upgrade to the RS ceramic brakes (a $20,000+ option).

An SUV that grips

With a combination of sticky 255-section tyres and a sorted quattro all-wheel drive system, the RS Q3 offers plenty of grip around corners
Here's another revelation. The RS Q3 can turn. It is indeed more chuckable thanks to its small-ish proportions. Try as you might to find or induce any sort of understeer and there isn't any.

Perhaps the sticky 255-section Continental Sport Contact 6 tyres might've helped, but even in sketchy road conditions and with an even sketchier driver like me, the RS Q3 continues to grip.

This is all a little strange, and it isn't just because the RS Q3 is still technically an SUV. Cars that leave you breathless tend to be those that either give you a ton of driver engagement or scare you enough to stop. For normal folk, that means a fine line between flashing traction control lights, being in control or having none at all.

With the adaptive dampers set to Comfort, the RS Q3 turns into a fuss-free and practical urban commuter
But in the case of the RS Q3, it executes fast driving duties in a clean and effective sort of manner, without actually wanting to kill you. It is a different kind of enjoyment, but it works. Not to forget the supporting aural soundtrack, of course.

And when you turn down the fun, it immediately becomes your silent, sensible and regular Audi Q3 - albeit with a slightly firmer ride no thanks to those large low profile 21-inch tyres.

A sensible performance SUV? Say what?

Nothing can really match the breadth of abilities that the RS Q3 offers. Nobody in their right mind would want a performance SUV that can only be brutal in its abilities. When it comes down to it, the RS Q3 delivers.

The RS Q3 sounds and feels fast, and offers plenty of driver confidence - what's not to like?
You could have a faster car. The Mercedes GLA 45 for example makes a whopping 416bhp and 500Nm of torque. But with a turbo four-cylinder there's only so much audible drama you can extract - without sounding like every other turbo four-cylinder in the market today.

It might not have a crown for being the most powerful, or the most striking. But it is in the RS Q3's turbocharged heart that charms. It does perform in the most spectacular and sensual way it can. That is enough to make it great.

Audi, please don't ever do away with this engine.
What We Like
Brutal power delivery
Tremendous soundtrack from its five-cylinder turbo
Lots of grip
Easy and comfortable on the road
What We Dislike
Understated looks might not work for some

In a world of shared platforms, it seems like every manufacturer can make a performance car out of anything.

It isn't a bad thing. Having a performance variant out of your preferred body style is great. But these new performance cars lack quite a bit of charm and character.

In that respect, the RS Q3 is pretty different.

So it is a fast model?

The RS Q3 is a real sleeper car, especially in this colour and with its badges blacked out
Effectively, the RS Q3 is the top-spec performance model you can get that is based off the Audi Q3.

Here, you do have more aggressive bumpers and definitive twin RS exhausts. Still, it is quite an understated car. There's nothing much that is immediately telling of its performance credentials - even the badges are all blacked out.

There's a lot to like about an understated car. And if attention is a requirement, there are louder colour choices such as Kyalami Green (which is very green).

Some red inside

These red Alcantara inserts aren't just visual enhancements, they feel good to the touch, too
Inside, the RS touches are a little more noticeable. There are RS specific seats, along with red and black Alcantara inserts that adorn the cabin.

But the qualities of the Q3 SUV are still present. Infotainment is sorted via Audi's 10.1-inch MMI display that comes with wireless Apple CarPlay, along with a better 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

You're not losing out here. After all, Audi interiors aren't just pleasing to look at, they are usable spaces too. Practicality is surprisingly not compromised despite the car having a quattro all-wheel drive system. Boot space remains at 530 litres - similar to the regular Q3.

Didn't you say this car is different?

There's nothing quite like a five-cylinder turbocharged soundtrack
You can tell there's quite a bit of restraint when it comes to the RS Q3, but we haven't got to the best bit yet.

The RS Q3 sports what could be the most exciting engine in its class. It's a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo that makes 395bhp and 480Nm of torque.

Moving off, things aren't apparent that this is a performance SUV. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission doesn't make an effort to be snappy with its shifts at low RPMs either.

But push it past 3,000rpm and the RS Q3 quickly turns into a bull that has seen red.

Rowdy fella

Hit the RS button and the digital cockpit switches to an RS-centric one, displaying the most information related to performance
Power delivery is almost never-ending. In fact, nothing seems to hold back the RS Q3 when it is on full power. And then you realise there is an RS drive button, sitting inconspicuously on the steering wheel. Hit it and you get two pre-set, but customisable RS modes.

The 12.1-inch digital instrument display switches to an RS-specific display. Get on the throttle again and you're greeted with a pronounced and truly special soundtrack that you can only get with a five-cylinder.

In fact, keep your foot pinned and the RS Q3 never runs out of breath. License-revoking speeds are easy - thankfully the six-piston calipers do an impressive job of shedding excess speed - which makes you wonder if there's a need to upgrade to the RS ceramic brakes (a $20,000+ option).

An SUV that grips

With a combination of sticky 255-section tyres and a sorted quattro all-wheel drive system, the RS Q3 offers plenty of grip around corners
Here's another revelation. The RS Q3 can turn. It is indeed more chuckable thanks to its small-ish proportions. Try as you might to find or induce any sort of understeer and there isn't any.

Perhaps the sticky 255-section Continental Sport Contact 6 tyres might've helped, but even in sketchy road conditions and with an even sketchier driver like me, the RS Q3 continues to grip.

This is all a little strange, and it isn't just because the RS Q3 is still technically an SUV. Cars that leave you breathless tend to be those that either give you a ton of driver engagement or scare you enough to stop. For normal folk, that means a fine line between flashing traction control lights, being in control or having none at all.

With the adaptive dampers set to Comfort, the RS Q3 turns into a fuss-free and practical urban commuter
But in the case of the RS Q3, it executes fast driving duties in a clean and effective sort of manner, without actually wanting to kill you. It is a different kind of enjoyment, but it works. Not to forget the supporting aural soundtrack, of course.

And when you turn down the fun, it immediately becomes your silent, sensible and regular Audi Q3 - albeit with a slightly firmer ride no thanks to those large low profile 21-inch tyres.

A sensible performance SUV? Say what?

Nothing can really match the breadth of abilities that the RS Q3 offers. Nobody in their right mind would want a performance SUV that can only be brutal in its abilities. When it comes down to it, the RS Q3 delivers.

The RS Q3 sounds and feels fast, and offers plenty of driver confidence - what's not to like?
You could have a faster car. The Mercedes GLA 45 for example makes a whopping 416bhp and 500Nm of torque. But with a turbo four-cylinder there's only so much audible drama you can extract - without sounding like every other turbo four-cylinder in the market today.

It might not have a crown for being the most powerful, or the most striking. But it is in the RS Q3's turbocharged heart that charms. It does perform in the most spectacular and sensual way it can. That is enough to make it great.

Audi, please don't ever do away with this engine.
author
Written by Idris Talib 
While the world goes car-lite, Idris believes we should celebrate cars before they go extinct.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
facebook icon
...
youtube icon
...
isntagram icon
...
tiktok icon
24.4k
 

Car Information

Audi RS Q3

CAT B|Petrol|11.1km/L

Horsepower

294kW (394 bhp)

Torque

480 Nm

Acceleration

4.5sec (0-100km /hr)

View full specs >

All Used Audi RS Q3
emailIcon
Be Notified On The Latest News
notificationIcon
Thank You For Your Subscription.

Related Articles

Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Avantgarde Review

Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Avantgarde Review

BMW 3 Series Sedan 318i M Sport Facelift Review

BMW 3 Series Sedan 318i M Sport Facelift Review

Audi Q4 e-tron gets more power in latest update

Audi Q4 e-tron gets more power in latest update

Audi to take part in U.K. Queen's Cup Hot Air Balloon Race

Audi to take part in U.K. Queen's Cup Hot Air Balloon Race

BMW M2 3.0 Review

BMW M2 3.0 Review

Mercedes-Benz S450e L Review

Mercedes-Benz S450e L Review

Audi works to recycle discarded plastic from Thai river

Audi works to recycle discarded plastic from Thai river

Audi reveals special RS e-tron GT ice race edition

Audi reveals special RS e-tron GT ice race edition

You May Also Like

Why choose a premium fuel?

Why choose a premium fuel?

Stop retrofitting LEDs in your old head lights!

Stop retrofitting LEDs in your old head lights!

Can we make it to Kuala Lumpur in one tank?

Can we make it to Kuala Lumpur in one tank?

Sgcarmart Explores: Kovan!

Sgcarmart Explores: Kovan!

EV your business with Hong Seh Evolution

EV your business with Hong Seh Evolution

BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport Facelift Review

BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport Facelift Review

First look: 7 things you should know about MINI's new family

First look: 7 things you should know about MINI's new family

V-Power up your everyday drive

V-Power up your everyday drive

Tags

car review audi rs q3 rs q3 rsq3 audi rs audi q3 audi rs audi rs q3 audi rsq3 suv performance suv audi rs q3 suv audi rsq3 suv

Contact Us
Careers
Follow Sgcarmart.com
facebook iconinstagram iconyoutube icontwitter icontelegram icon
sgcarmart app store download iconsgcarmart google play download iconsgcarmart app gallery download icon
Buy / Rent Cars
New Cars For SaleUsed Cars For SaleCars For Rent
Sell Your Car
Post an AdSell by BiddingSell by Consignment
Aftermarket
Workshop DirectoryAftermarket Products
Articles
Car ReviewsCar AdviceCar NewsCar FeaturesCar Videos
General
About UsContact UsCareersSite Map
Resources
COE PricesCar Loan CalculatorsCar Forum
 
Car InsuranceCar ValuationCOE Renewal
 
Used Car WarrantyBidded CarplatesCarpark Rates
Follow Sgcarmart.com
facebook iconinstagram iconyoutube icontwitter icontelegram icon
sgcarmart app store download iconsgcarmart google play download iconsgcarmart app gallery download icon
Sgcarmart is the number one car classifieds for buying vehicles like sports car, hybrid car, COE cars, OPC Car, hatchback, stationwagon, MPV, SUV, van, truck & parallel imported cars. Buy from new car dealer, parallel importer, car auction, etc. Also find useful products & services like car audio, car polishing, solar film, car accessories, car parts, car repair, car workshop, car bodykit, car tyre, sport rims, car mat, car stickers, mover, and motor insurance. Check out our car blog and coe prices. Find Rental Cars for short term rental, long term lease, private hire cars, wedding cars and cars for p-plate probation drivers.
Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyPersonal Data Protection Statement
©2004-2023 Sgcarmart, Singapore. All rights reserved.
Terms of Service | Privacy | PDPA
©2004-2023 Sgcarmart, Singapore. All rights reserved.