Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

How does Audi Sport’s entry-level car compare to the the longest-running RS-badged machine? We put the two together on the same road to find out
Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

The Audi RS3 is not a slow car. It will - don’t forget - out-drag a BMW M3 to 62mph from a standstill, and it goes further than raw numbers: stepping on the throttle brings frightening forward momentum that’s backed by a soundtrack which combines five-cylinder warble and a twin-scroll turbocharger.

Such is its noise, drama and fury, that you wonder how the new RS4 can put the ‘junior’ Audi Sport model in its place given the less characterful arrangement of six cylinders in a V hidden behind its gaping, trapezoid gob. Indeed after first driving the latest RS4 late last year, I was pondering exactly that. But having now driven both back to back, I can report that the performance pecking order works out exactly as you’d expect. Good lord does the RS4 feel quick.

Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

The V6-powered car is no faster on paper - it too will deal with the 0-62mph sprint in 4.1 seconds - but putting your foot down for the first time, you’d swear it’s considerably pokier. It may not sound as interesting as the 3, but it picks up earlier - from about 2000rpm - and where the former starts to lose momentum at high RPM, the latter happily scrambles all your internal squishy bits all the way up to the redline with extreme force.

The more you drive the new RS4, the more the new engine wins you over. And not just in comparison to the 2.5-litre five-banger in the RS3 - its explosive force makes the old, fruitier-sounding 4.2-litre N/A that powered the B8 RS4 seem borderline limp.

Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

It has the legs in the power department, and when the corners start arriving, the RS4 continues to give its little brother a drubbing, and that’s mostly down to the kind of all-wheel drive systems at play here. The RS3, with its transversely-mounted engine, has one of the ever-popular Haldex arrangements, which will generally run in a front-wheel drive configuration and send power to the rear wheels when necessary. The longitudinal RS4 on the other hand gets a ‘proper’ all-wheel drive system with a Torsen centre diff.

Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

So what does all that technical stuff mean in the real world? It results in the RS4 feeling more neutral and sharper at the front end, and although you’ll rarely run out of grip, it’ll theoretically be more willing to power oversteer. Oh, and to cap it all off, the 4 has just a little more steering feedback, even if the setups in both cars are a little too light.

So far, it’s looking like the RS4 is able to put the RS3 firmly in its place, but rest assured, there are plenty of ways the warbly little one shows up its wagon-bodied relative. For one thing, the suspension: yes it’s firm, but never uncomfortable or unsettled. The damping on this standard-fit passive setup is very well judged, which can’t be said of the RS4.

Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

We tried the RS4 with the optional, hydraulically-linked ‘Dynamic Ride Control’ system last year, and were less than impressed. In Comfort mode there’s a constant, wallowy vertical movement that never settles, while in Dynamic the ride becomes punishingly hard, making the car uncomfortable and nervous. The passive dampers of our UK test car are more like it, but it’s still considerably firmer than the RS3, and despite the harder setup it’s more prone to body roll - an inevitable consequence of the circa 200kg extra weight the larger vehicle is carrying around.

And here’s the thing - the front end of the junior Audi Sport machine really isn’t that far off. It’s still super sharp and incredibly adept at fighting off understeer - an old-school, unpolished RS car this is not. It’s never going to feel as good as a Torsen-equipped all-wheel drive machine, but the RS3 is still the least Haldex-feeling Haldex car I’ve yet driven, with a neutrality that’s a joy to exploit thanks to its lower weight figure and more compact dimensions.

Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

I prefer the engine too. It may not seem quite so bombastic after stepping out of the Avant, but it’s much more up front about being a turbo engine with its oh-so-punchy mid range. And of course, there’s the noise - I’ve been living with this particular example for three months now, and I love the offbeat thrum of that inline-five more than ever. It’s exotic and just different - a V6 is just too obvious in comparison.

Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car
Audi RS3 Vs RS4: Why I’d Have The ‘Lesser’ Car

Getting these two together hasn’t really produced many shocks. The RS4 feels just that little bit sharper and faster, while being noticeably plusher inside. Whenever I got back into the RS3, it did seem much more ordinary, despite its lashings of Alcantara.

But what’s interesting is that when it comes to driving, the RS3 really isn’t far off, and mostly thanks to the powerplant, it’s arguably the more characterful car here. Choosing between the two isn’t something many will do - we’re looking at two cars from different segments with completely different body styles, after all. But if I was making the hypothetical choice, I’d take the smaller, more chuckable one that sounds a bit like an S1 Quattro, thanks.

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Comments

Nishant Dash

It’s not exactly “lesser” lol. Also my inner S1 fanboy inherently makes me choose the RS3 haha!
Great article as always Matt!
my only gripe is regarding the lack of a manual, but hey that’s probably just me

03/18/2018 - 11:01 |
20 | 18

Why are your comments ALWAYS downvoted???? Can’t people get a life??

03/18/2018 - 13:41 |
2 | 0

Even worse than not having a manual is pretending to have one!

RS3 intensifies

03/18/2018 - 14:55 |
2 | 0
Archive Aston (Aston Martin squad)

Good to know. I must test the two myself as ive been in the RS3 and have an RS4 comming in a week or too

03/18/2018 - 11:01 |
8 | 0

Please present it on CT !

03/18/2018 - 13:29 |
0 | 0
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

While the RS3 has a Haldex AWD, it’s tuned to send as much power to the back as possible

03/18/2018 - 11:47 |
4 | 0

It’s supposed to send more to the rear than most Haldex systems when in ESP Sport, but it’s only felt like it’s wanted to rotate under power maybe one or two times. For the most part it’s very neutral, and when it does finally run out of traction (which takes some doing), it’s usually the front that goes first

03/18/2018 - 16:34 |
4 | 0
TheMindGarage

I’d definitely have the RS3. It’s lighter and smaller, and the inline-5 sounds amazing! Still think it’s rather large though for a “compact” - I wish they’d do an RS1 coupe (yes, I know the TT RS exists but that’s still a pretty heavy car).

03/18/2018 - 11:50 |
88 | 0

The problem with the RS3 is, yes it is super fast and sounds amazing, but you still has that lingering feeling that there is a Golf buried underneath the body and RS-badges. Sorry for being a “platform snob”, but I would pick RS4 everyday with its rear-biased Quattro and 2.9 V6 from Porsche.

03/18/2018 - 19:59 |
18 | 2
Anonymous

I’ve always wanted an RS3, and this article has now made me seriously consider robbing a bank for the chance to own one. Must resist the urge…

03/18/2018 - 11:54 |
18 | 0
KodoMazda人馬一体

In the States, you don’t get a choice. RS3 or bust. Take it or leave it. While I do like the I5 of the RS3, I do love a good wagon. But like I said before, we only get the RS3 here.

03/18/2018 - 12:52 |
2 | 0

Isnt there a RS3 wagon? Or arent you allowed to have that either?

03/19/2018 - 08:33 |
0 | 0
CannedRex24

You could be normal and buy these or you could be smart and buy a 997 Turbo

And it has a manual!
And for im not wrong, Porsche have some amazing reliability compared to Audis RSs

Consumer advice right here

03/18/2018 - 13:42 |
36 | 4

For about 7-8k more you can get even more cleaner models with almost half the mileage as this one

03/18/2018 - 13:43 |
6 | 0

Some people would want the reliability of a brand new car rather than a 55k mike Porsche

03/18/2018 - 15:52 |
4 | 0
TheBagel

I’d have the RS3. Manual, I5 sedan

03/18/2018 - 18:10 |
2 | 0
Darth Imperius/Anthony🇭🇷

In reply to by TheBagel

there ain’t a manual

03/19/2018 - 07:20 |
2 | 0
Joel Brennan

I think the important thing is that no matter which one you choose you’ll have an amazing time. The cars are both brilliant at doing a little bit of everything and they are both achingly beautiful.

03/18/2018 - 23:50 |
2 | 0
7367Network

Both of these cars’ engine sound cannot compare to the 4.2 NA V8.

03/18/2018 - 23:50 |
4 | 0