2022 Audi RS3 vs Mercedes-AMG A45 S: HEAD TO HEAD | Auto Express 4K

[@McBeamer94]

My choice is the RS3. With the addition of the RS Torque Splitter and the slightly lower ratios, it's now got everything it needs to beat the AMG A45 S. Plus the legendary sound of the 5-cylinder is always a USP that just can't be beat by the white noise of yet another Inline-4. P.S.: For everyone saying the new 8Y RS3 isn't loud enough, just put an after-market exhaust, darn it! It's only gonna make it better! 😎🤘

[@SimonGeoghegan]

Why does an after market exhaust make it "better" ? Or do you just mean it makes it LOUDER? Have you stopped to think just how much misery LOUD cars cause? It has been possible to produce SILENT cars since around 1911. It is a SELFISH act to deliberately make more noise than you need to, and you ought to feel ashamed that you draw pleasure from doing that.

[@levansaginashviliskidney8726]

@@SimonGeoghegan wow

[@carlotlife5013]

@@SimonGeoghegan ok Karen

[@fzr1000981]

@@SimonGeoghegan no shame at all, sounds great

[@nickm133]

Only 3 years behind Merc on the torque splitter. Beats the A45s in a drag, not around the track from what I’ve seen. Car Expert did lap times with stock cars, same driver and the A45s was 1 sec faster.

[@breakingcycles741]

The RS3 has so much road presence. What a beautiful car.

[@Youcallthesebagels_]

Looks wicked cheap imo, very plasticky

[@morri03]

@@Youcallthesebagels_ agreed, older model looked better

[@f00lxpl]

not really tho

[@JacesOwnWorld]

No it doesnt

[@craig3949]

Trash bin for a front grill 😂

[@johnjerrehian4642]

RS3 for me. I've had a version of this 5 cyl years ago and they are iconic. Plus, the ability to tune the RS3 wards one with huge HP gains from that 2.5 cycl.

[@zrated3505]

RS 3 all day

[@rw1592]

The AMG makes noise (fake engine and annoying road noise), the RS3 produces sound, that's one of the main differentiators of the two. The other is, that the RS3 covers a significantly wider stretch from being a comfortable daily to a track biest. The AMG feels always angry, edgy and its sport seats are too hard for longer drives or commutes. Both are great fun and both do not have interiors suggesting the +£60k sticker with some options. As a daily the RS3 is the better option. I had the AMG and traded it in for a fully specd RS3, (have it now since about 6 weeks), for the reasons mentioned above. And I would not go back. Performance wise, the RS3 feels and is a tad more powerful.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

Agree with that. I had an A45s as well and now have a Carbon Ed RS3 sport back, got it two weeks ago. Mine's got the RS performance pack on it. Looks very mean in tango red and sounds better than my Merc, seats are way better in the Audi and interior... I'm OK with the RS3 actually. I had a few rattles in my Merc and they never managed to fully fix that, plus on long journeys, ouch. Sound wise, the RS3 wins there too.

[@EastWood2004]

I was tossing between rs3 and a45s then I ordered the rs3. After I read your post I feel I made a right decision.

[@rw1592]

@@EastWood2004 You won't regret it. They are both at the top of their class, but the RS3 wins on comfort and sound.

[@AlexN0me11]

Which has the bigger boot space?

[@rw1592]

@@AlexN0me11 The AMG's is bigger. (talking about the hatchback versions).

[@liamgale3664]

Both equally fantastic in their own rights 👌

[@nathanb2100]

I agree :D

[@gaycha6589]

Well said. And in the realms of road sanity, both inseparable fir road stuff. .

[@pauldark3044]

Love the looks on the AMG and the engine in the RS3

[@samuelho5051]

Both are very good car. Been driving the A45s since 2020, RS3 on order arriving later this year. Looking forward to a better sound track. But I'll miss that steering wheel on the A45, change driving mode with a rotating switch is such an awesome feature. Yes agreed with your comment about the engagement and focus when you're behind the wheel of A45, especially driving on a country B road at speed.

[@daineseboy78]

As much money as that Mercedes costs and they can’t get the headlights to seal good enough to stop them being wet inside. That’s appalling 😞😞😞. What a shame. The best or nothing hey. Haha.

[@Trystan46]

Yes we need these Hyper Hatches !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s been going on and on in my life for nearly a year now!!! RS3 or AMG !!!!!! - finally I’ve made my mind up , I’m collecting my A45s 73 plate on Sunday !!!!!!!! ❤❤👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@UniitzSniping]

I see alot comment talking about the RS3 being better, tuning potential, the sound, the 5 cyl. etc. but we forget that Mercedes Benz is Also in the top Luxury brand. The tech inside, the technology for a A class is absolutely insane. RS3 still have manual adjustable seats, see it as you want. But on a "overall choice" i would go with the AMG. Without talking about the prestige you get driving a Mercedes.

[@jtherealtor]

Imagine how much btter the RS3 would be if it came on Michelins

[@luciussander8217]

Yep, P zeros are rubbish. Does come with Bridgestones, but pot luck what you get. Hoping mine doesn't have Pirelli's when I get it.

[@korneliuszkasa313]

Well it’s easy to put better Michelins on it

[@jonathanlim9219]

The Bridgestone Potenza Sports are pretty damn fantastic though

[@nickm133]

Bridgestone Potenza Sport are slightly quicker lap time than the Michelin P4S from what I’ve seen. They are a good tire.

[@gregmurnin4532]

Steve is the best! A45s all the way....what a car!

[@ASBOmarc]

Really good points made in this video, especially only needing to go to 6-7/10 to enjoy them. Both these cars are amazing and you would be very lucky to have either of them on your driveway.

[@チャーリーブラウン-w8l]

When it comes to the big 3, Audi, BMW, Mercedes I will always go for the Audi It's the most complete car out of the 3

[@ajnracing6034]

Depends on the segment. For example the A6 is inferior to the 5 series and E class.

[@stefanroseEP3]

There isnt a proper driver on earth that would pick an RS3 over an M2C

[@stefanvogel8255]

@@stefanroseEP3 the RS3 is faster than the BMW M2 CS at the Nordschleife. 50 PS and 50Nm less ...well done Audi Sport.

[@nickm133]

@@stefanvogel8255 was the BMW time a factory effort or just a motoring journalist? Big difference. Comparing the A45s and RS3 using stock cars and same driver, Car Expert found the A45s 1 sec faster on their track.

[@stefanvogel8255]

@@nickm133 the BMW driver is a professionelle driver too. Or you think Gebhardt ist bad

[@N-Sch]

Would go for the RS3 just because of the iconic 5-cylinder sound.

[@YousafKhan-uw4lr]

Its not the same this gen though =/

[@waltclarke2618]

20k more though

[@gaycha6589]

Yup, and work the specs well.

[@torrhthc4103]

There is no sound in this gen dude, i cant hear a thing in the new rs3

[@McBeamer94]

@@torrhthc4103 It's not hard putting an exhaust! 😉

[@fireblade6756]

AMG every time thanks!!!!!

[@pauln0371]

Unfortunately the sound suppression is due to the GPFs the manufacturer's have to fit for emissions regs. Personally I'd pick the RS3 everyday and twice on a Sunday as it'll make a better daily driver. The A45s is more of a fun blast kinda car. Not to mention the 5 cylinder engine note which is a million times better sounding than the 4 cylinder in the Merc. I also prefer how it looks.

[@westzz1720]

9:21 As soon he said the Audi feels higher quality inside than the Merc the whole review became null and void. If there is one thing that is not debatable it's that the Audi has a cheapo interior and the Merc doesn't.

[@MarMPB]

Great video as always! Yes, the world needs the mega hatches and we gearheads need now a track battle! Please! 🙏🏻

[@nathanb2100]

Both of these cars are mega 😃👍. A And the 5 cylinder engine in the Audi as well 🤩👍. Already going to be an awesome video :)

[@danielnorton2123]

Steve’s reviews are excellent - informed, sensible and well balanced (its not all about speed).

[@imienazwisko6247]

Put the RS3 in RS performance mode and go with it on the track. You will see what this car can do. And in that mode it isn't that comfortable.

[@arthurdeth7646]

How about the rs3 4 cylinder against the A45s 4 cylinder. What would be the result with amg a45S 5 cylinder v the RS3

[@santino_7]

Vote: A45 S

[@andyalmond9264]

Cant say i agree on that tbh ive had a45s an didnt like it at all it was a bone shaker wasnt that quick after 100 mph kinda reminds me of a modern evo

[@luciussander8217]

Seats are rock hard in my A45s, not good on longer journeys and build quality is poor.

[@mattleistner313]

The RS3 is 8 seconds faster (!) than the A45 s at the Nurburgring - no matter what you think about the Merc is more driver focused than the Audi!

[@manumay]

carbo brake and 290km/h max speed... ez... u cannot push the limit with a standard brake in the nurburgring 😂... and the a45s limited at 270

[@hellcat-707]

It's only because you compared a factory lap with a magazine lap and there's evidence that Sport Auto laps are slower compared to the factory laps.

[@manumay]

@@hellcat-707 true!!! if u look the sport auto lap at 7:59 put the car in N for more than 7 sec😂 if u put that AMG in the hand of an official mercedes driver, win hands down! all the magazine talk about that the AMG has got the best chassis and balance...

[@manumay]

@@hellcat-707 sorry for my english 😂😂

[@hellcat-707]

@@manumay No problem, I understand you very well. The issue is that everyone is ready to compare ring laptimes without knowing whether it was a factory lap or a manufacturer lap, saw that when everyone started comparing the GT2 RS laptime with that of the Pista.

[@Adrianperformancequattro]

This cars have this same diff in rear axle. Rs3 Engine its 😍

[@bunter6]

Great review, but the question is whether these cars are needed is neither here nor there. Almost no car classes are 'needed' but it's all about choice, desire and consumerism, which is what makes driving on todays congested roads a bit more exciting.

[@adamrex4189]

I Love my 45s it’s a little rocket 🚀

[@allwheeldrive]

Really nice rigs for those with the means. Awesome commuters! But about the sound volume, it is getting truly tiresome to have to listen to louder and louder exhaust notes on neighborhood streets, day in and day out. Getting that tickle - as in the Audi - is more than sufficient, unless the driver really has a deep psychological need to be noticed and feared 24 hours a day. Living in Southern California, in particular, it has become really intrusive because, well, humans. Give us an inch... Now, it's never loud enough!

[@Dominari66]

Love the new RS3, but that interior is absolutely shocking, not a fan at all, the older interior was better. The Mercedes wins that category for me.

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Tough choice. RS3 in saloon for me.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Absolutely. The proportions are better balanced. Coincidentally, exactly the same dimensions as the old B7 RS4, which I reckon is the best looking saloon they ever did.

[@DM-fj8wv]

Thanks for the great review Steve.

[@FastLifeVlog]

Gearbox and the engine are more reliable in the rs3.

[@i.s.3458]

Barely.

[@rforracing]

Lol you know how many times that 2.5T in the RS3/TTRS has blown up and being towed to the dealership? I know because i work at an Audi dealer.

[@FastLifeVlog]

@@rforracing now imagine a45s has been towed to the dewlership 2 o 3x more often.

[@dogchainsaw3923]

@@rforracing no you don’t.

[@shepardman993]

Absolutely love the new RS3 I know it’s off topic but I wish VW had done a better job on the new mk8 Golf R it’s just lukewarm and just seems mikes away in so many ways The new RS3 is stunning looking and the 45s well it’s a cracker too

[@DarkHelmet1976]

VAG dropped the ball on the interior of the Mk8 but I can't complain about the mechanics. It gets the RS3's rear diff and comes with a stick. Sure, it can't keep up with the RS3, but it's not meant to. It shares its engine with the S3, and manages to outperform it in almost every way. Unfortunately, despite seeming like an almost-perfect daily, the new R's interior is so bad that it's disqualifying. Hope they'll get it right at the mid-cycle refresh.

[@shepardman993]

@@DarkHelmet1976 I agree with most points I’m a massive vw fan boy lol But if the R is not a direct competitor to the RS3 Where does it leave the Gti to S3....

[@DarkHelmet1976]

@@shepardman993 The GTI and A3 are very similar in terms of HP and performance. I believe they share an engine and platform. I also love VWs. One of my current cars is a 2016 GTI. Was excited for the Mk8 R, until I saw what they did to the inside.

[@xIcarus227]

@@shepardman993 the Golf R competes with the S3, the GTI hasn't got a competitor from Audi to my knowledge.

[@GeordieAmanda]

As soon as I saw this was available I thought "Yay, more Steve time" and I wasn't disappointed. I would have loved an AMG A45S without the rear spoiler, but Mr Sutcliffe convinced me to buy the M3 X-Drive (if it gets built - owing to parts shortages😔). Looks like my retirement will be put off for a few years to pay for it though, but I don't blame you Steve 😁

[@nickm133]

M3 x-drive is another level. Enjoy.

[@jonathanlim9219]

Steve, if you happen to read this, what I really want to know is your opinion of the RS Torque Rear mode. I test drove an RS3 recently and I was very surprised how lively it made the rear end, even when off-throttle. Overall a bit artificial possibly, but I still found it heaps of fun when oversteer was so close at hand...

[@anotae]

Audi. Beautiful. Every angle.

[@user-bu8cx7hc6n]

Did he even drift the rs3 😅 ... no wonder he thought it was boring, poorly reviewed for me

[@mattleistner313]

I thought the same! And the RS3 is much faster around the Nürburgring.

[@shauntompkins5061]

So the only thing that makes the Audi intersting is drifting? 🤣 I can see them all now, drifting on twisty british b roads! 🙄

[@xIcarus227]

@@mattleistner313 it's much faster because its laptime was set by a pro driver, while the A45S' time was set by a press driver. As lap data on the RS3 is being set on other tracks by press drivers, you'll notice that on some of them the A45S is faster (Hockenheim GP for example). That doesn't prove that the A45S is definitely faster, it just says that the difference is nowhere as big as Audi tells you it is.

[@sw2775]

Enjoyed the vid, thanks Steve

[@mcolegt]

Wish we had these in US

[@nayanmandala23]

The rs3 because its an amazing tuner car you can do some really big power builds on that drivetrain.

[@vladislavdimitrov4646]

Why the A45 isn't that good for tuning?

[@shackleton274]

The 2.5 5cyl has more headroom for tuning, you can make these seriously seriously quick with high HP easily.....

[@gerhartsethe6420]

Sorry but I don't see a point to buying slower, 4 cylinder car with cheesy interior and awd that can't drift in drift mode as good as RS3.

[@grasak1594]

They all have the same AWD system, lol

[@gerhartsethe6420]

@@grasak1594 but diffrent setup. RS3 is more on a rear biased feeling.

[@grasak1594]

@@gerhartsethe6420 How? Basically the same systems you can find in Focus RS too. I'm eager to learn more how they are different

[@Peterhaynes]

@@gerhartsethe6420 Audis are more front biased ,haldex system.

[@ajames718]

Hot Hatch v Mega Hatch Track Battle please

[@davesingh3772]

No doubt the RS3 is the better all rounder out the two cars. However for a decent spec one your look at around 70k just now which in my opinion I’d rather have a G series m3 all day long for around the same money.

[@fzr1000981]

Beaver teeth

[@cunners08]

Had to stop at him saying the RS3 felt expensive inside. I own the 8Y RS3 and the interior doesn’t feel anywhere near a £60k car 🤔 OPF is alls that’s stopping the RS3 from being loud 🤷🏼‍♂️ far more engaging to drive than the old one and quicker too.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

I also have an RS3, a fully speced carbon sportback. Nothing wrong with the interior at all, what were you expecting, an interior from an A6 🤣

[@paulmichael3844]

Brilliant review

[@seinsmeld13]

I own a 2019 RS 3, unfortunately the 2022 RS 3 is not available in Canada this year. Therefore I may move to a Panamera to replace her. Great review.

[@thefridgeman]

Spot on analysis by Steve. Read at least two other tests comparing these two cars and both decided on A45 as the "better" car.

[@smugla300zx]

Another great review , keep up the mega content

[@santino_7]

Vote: RS3

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

I would have liked to see an on-track comparison. Lots of rumours that the RS3 is faster but I've never seen it confirmed.

[@luciussander8217]

It is - check the ring times, RS3 was faster.

[@grasak1594]

@@luciussander8217 On Hockenheim GP by Sport Auto: RS3 1:57.3 A45 S 1:55.7 The 7:35 lap time was done by factory driver on pre-production car... Journalist lap times will be always slower than factory lap times

[@TheEryk03]

@@grasak1594 not 7:40 but 7:35 and sports auto lap times have no sense, they do to much mistakes. You know nothing about cars.

[@grasak1594]

@@TheEryk03 Yep, I did a typo but anyway... Now you say Sport Auto have no sense? Lolol

[@TheEryk03]

@@grasak1594 man you can't even use proper times... You said that sport auto times are about 15 seconds of the factry times. So if magazines make so much mistakes that they do 15 seconds slower then what is the point to compare those times? If the spread can be so big then there is no sense to even use it... Its not that every lap is 15 seconds off the potential, some laps can be 5 seconds some 20 sec. So if some car A in their test is 10 sec slower compared to car B then it can be that Car B is actually 5 sec faster than Car A.

[@mb9729]

Where is this?! Amazing open roads

[@ao8271]

What road is this?

[@307834ST]

Rs3 🔥both nice cars but I'd go for the rs3

[@abelisraelcruzayuso4682]

The growl of the Quattro…

[@BrightEyes8513]

Would love either of them, especially in the hatch version. But of course, being in the US that’s sadly not happening.

[@Jays22b]

I would have sold the honda already , I see myself holding the a45 for yrs to come. Big money but It's a mega car. After 12 months in a45 , I can say I've never driven anything like it. so damm fast , the gearbox is dymanic to a tee.

[@hamfan5819]

RS 3 for me also. We don’t have the “S” version in the States so the RS 3 easily walks away from it here.

[@benbustama3430]

Great review Steve. Love Steve’s style/delivery. I’d take the AMG. Audi, to me, is just a rebadged VW. Always has been, always will be. I’m just not a fan of Audi’s bland/boring design/style. You can even see it when you compare the Q5 to its sister the Macan! As a matter of fact, the Audi RS looks like a smaller Q5. No bueno. The only negative/drawback with AMG is the monumental depreciation. Ask me how I know? I’ve owned them all except the S class AMG. If you have the means, AMG all day everyday and twice on Sunday. YMMV/Cheers, B

[@TheEryk03]

How bad must be Mercedes then if rebadged VW is better than Mercedes.

[@nickm133]

@@TheEryk03 a 2022 RS3 is better than a 2019 A45s? It’s actually quite close and the Audi is 3 years newer. The A45s has been better than the previous RS3. When the new A45s comes out it will be better than this RS3 again, it’s just an arms race. Took Audi 3 years after Merc to make a similar diff. All previous RS3s have been under steer central. This is the first RS3 I’ve had any interest in.

[@xIcarus227]

@@nickm133 fully agreed, the car which comes later will almost always be better than its competitor. Since it's newer, they have the opportunity to edge their competitor, and they do it on purpose. When the A45S facelift comes around, it'll be slightly faster than the RS3. Then the RS3 facelift comes around and it'll be yet again slightly faster than the A45S. An endless circle. Also, I think Audi were being cheap by not including a good diff on the former RS3. People have been moaning about a better AWD system ever since the Focus RS showed that it's possible, took Audi a long time to deliver something which at least simulates it. Granted they still didn't go all the way by including a permanent AWD system, but it's good enough. I just personally don't understand the insistence on using Haldex-like systems, something tells me it's once again due to cost.

[@colinw1591]

Would love to have an RS3, were it not for the wrong sort of attention it attracts. I'd prefer to get a decent night's sleep knowing that someone isn't going to break in for the keys. A less focussed but more descreet M340I Touring would be my choice.....

[@spider5604]

Anyone knows where this road is pls...

[@Shaggy12321]

The fact the AMG is over 2 years older, with a smaller engine (0.5l), and 1 less cylinder, and STILL produces more than 20 BHP more than the Audi is insane, just shows how incredible the engineering was on the AMG, and I agree on the interior, the Audi has better quality, but the AMG has better looking, with flasher gadgets, but it's all made of plastic, my A-Class has almost identical interior and the thing rattles when I drive...

[@luciussander8217]

My AMG A45s suffered from interior rattles/creaks and the centre console actually broke loose! The electric seat on the passenger's side went kaput as well. Very poor build quality.

[@Shaggy12321]

@@luciussander8217 Yeah my A200 is very similar, creaky plastic everywhere, my door rattles when I drive, dashboard is like it was made by a child with PVA glue ffs

[@gerhartsethe6420]

20 bhp more and still slower than RS3.

[@nickm133]

@@gerhartsethe6420 in a drag, yes. They used shorter gearing to do it. Have a look at lap times with stock cars and same driver. Car Expert found the A45s was 1 sec faster on their track. The Merc is also 3 years older.

[@howardkayman9180]

Can’t beat the looks of the AMG, the difference is negligible between these two cars for everyday users.

[@mykiman5955]

You're off your head if you pay that kind of money on a hatch no matter how quick.

[@xIcarus227]

Not everyone needs a bigger car. And the options and interior quality in these cars is really good, especially in the Mercedes.

[@slen6293]

Bit confused that every other reviewer has slammed the RS3 for an interior that doesn’t match the price in terms of quality or experience… but Steve loves it. 🤔

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

It's just fine, I own a new RS3. just other people moaning about the uk spec as you can't get the interior design pack, that's all

[@KnowPorcelain1]

always loved an Audi, great build quality, and always felt safe, but the AMG 45s is the mutts nuts, 4 cylinder, 2.0l, awd, producing 420 bhp, come on, how do they do that, yes there are compromises a tad on quality, but the Merc just is a better car, Audi just seem to have a limit, on how much they push things, Mercedes just push, and that's a shame, because the best car I ever owned, was an S8, from the mis 90's.

[@BengalOscar]

Spot on review 😎👍

[@orvilholness910]

Your conclusion is off the mark, very few person wants A car that is harsh and noisy to live with every day as the amg. The money is on the mighty RS3 sir!!!

[@ernestomorales2487]

By Sound Alone The Audi..Hands Down.

[@antonbless]

The RS3 takes the S of the A45!!!

[@khvidtube1617]

At the end of the day, not many people that have bought these cars and will keep it in stock form for long. They all will head to the tuning workshop. The RS3 will have lots of room for crazy modification for a very cheap price before an engine re-build comes to mind, the A45S will not.

[@princemwamilee86]

I wonder if BMW will ever bring back the 1 series or not and make it a 4 cylinder hmm 🤔 I can only hope

[@markrhoden68]

Having driven all the lesser models a35, s3 and m135i i can't imagine how much more car the average driver needs. Put either of those in their respective sport modes and you'll get yourself into serious bother legally. Myself spending almost 60k on these entry level hyper hatches when you can get their lesser models but tick all their options makes for me a better sense

[@Murphy252000]

*rent

[@alexedward01]

@Andrew Such a funny statement! These sort of statements are generally made by people who can't afford such cars!

[@McBeamer94]

Yeah but all these lesser hot hatches don't feature the 5-cylinder.

[@ISOLATICN1]

@@alexedward01 your comment just proved his point 😂😂🤡

[@alexedward01]

@@ISOLATICN1 I stand by my comment.

[@JagoTFC]

The RS3 is a wagon. It has a fixed piece of glass on the C pillar, after the rear doors.

[@kevinhan721]

Can you compare to Macan GTS (2022) to these two hatches? How are they different?

[@alexedward01]

I ordered RS3 after test driving Macan GTS 2022 several times! They are different in many ways .. body type, shape, center of gravity, fun/enjoyment factor, tech and of course engine. Although Macan GTS probably has the least body roll considering it is an SUV, it can't beat an RS3/A45s around the corners/bends. In terms of road comfort, I will rate A45s last and GTS and RS3 high up.

[@alexedward01]

I ordered RS3 after test driving Macan GTS 2022 several times! They are different in many ways .. body type, shape, center of gravity, fun/enjoyment factor, tech and of course engine. Although Macan GTS probably has the least body roll considering it is an SUV, it can't beat an RS3/A45s around the corners/bends. In terms of road comfort, I will rate A45s last and GTS and RS3 high up.

[@EastWood2004]

@@alexedward01 They are in different categories, size, weight and different price brackets. I am surprised to read someone tossing between two.

[@alexedward01]

@@EastWood2004 yes mate, we humans do weird things 😉.

[@EastWood2004]

@@alexedward01 I own a Macan and a model 3. The macan can't match the handling that Golf R or M2C. If you're after the sports handling, RS3 is the one. I also ordered an RS3 sedan, too.

[@protopigeon]

Wicked cars but I'll save a load of money and go Stage 1 Golf R tyvm :)

[@gobjectz5225]

Hopefully BMW will bring something to top these two

[@tolley55]

RS3 vs A45s ? Auto Express winner: HoNdA CiViC 🤡🤡🤡

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

civic is a little boys car

[@billymania11]

These are supposed to be budget pocket rockets but holy cow! These things are quite expensive. I think the auto-makers are getting a mite greedy.

[@shauntompkins5061]

Understatement! But i agree. And, for me, if i'm spending that kind of money on a car, I'm not buying a hot-hatch - or mega-hatch, if that's what we call them!

[@Jo3yPropane]

From a purely driving perspective, i'd take a £35k Civic Type R and use the £25k change to cover the entire cost of ownership, virtually unlimited track days, tires and fuel and have a much more useable daily driver to boot.

[@CJM1able]

I love watching Steve give honest and good feedback. But I got half way through this video and got bored of watching these cars. They’re marketed as hot hatches to garner sales from people who A. Don’t know how to drive. B. Don’t know what driving is about. C. Want a big boy badge thinking they’re getting a quality item. In reality, they’re GT hatchbacks for long motorway use, engineered by the finance department to be competitive in the profiteering space. If I had to choose it would be the Mercedes. But the quality of both these cars is a huge step backwards from their predecessors along with reliance on software. These cars will just not be worth owning in 10 years time.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

You missed d) people who make clueless comments about cars they've not even driven. I own a 718 Cayman GTS and just taken delivery of the new RS3 as my daily, the Audi is just as much fun to drive when you're in the mood for a B road thrash. Your comments are like a blunt pencil, pointless 🤣

[@xIcarus227]

@@mauricetoussaint7283 RS3 as fun as a Cayman GTS? Aaaaaahahahahaha.

[@xIcarus227]

Quality on the A45 is a step forward, the old one's interior was honestly a complete joke. I do agree that the interior quality of the RS3 has gone backwards however.

[@jonimiqava948]

Audi king

[@boy638]

The RS3 is quite a sleeper in that rental-car-white.

[@sambobrooklyn316]

Your right doesn't look special at the back even my g20 330e m sport looks more mean

[@fzr1000981]

RS3 has far higher power potential with mods, that really the end of the story

[@alexandersimpson3638]

I’m no Audi fan, but no way is a 5 cyl 20v turbo engine sounding anything less than god like… Potencial for tuning this engine is also much better, the Mercedes is pretty much already near its limit..

[@FlyasaDiamond]

The rich boy racers that buy these cars don’t care about how the car drives, they care about tuning it to go fast 0-60

[@TheEryk03]

Naah not necessarily, they are alredy guys that do track times in RS3 and they are very impressed by how it handle.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

You're talking crap. I bought the new RS3 as my daily - kids go to school in it and I use it to go fishing, shopping etc. no desire to tune it at all. If I want to have fun, I have a 718 Cayman GTS for that 😁

[@FlyasaDiamond]

@@mauricetoussaint7283 you’re in the minority.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

@@FlyasaDiamond You think - look on the forums at who's ordering the new RS3, you'll find most us are family guys with mortgages...

[@Murphy252000]

@@mauricetoussaint7283 and everything rented to the eyeballs

[@JJ-sx6de]

The new RS3 should have came from factory about 500 bhp the only reason is they did not want it faster than rs6

[@propertyindhaka8678]

I love golf r

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

Good for you 🤣

[@KainSwiss]

I’m not convinced by this review unfortunately. Did not mention anything about the RS3 modes. Practically just drove the car. But played more with the AMG modes. We all know the AMG it’s a great car but it’s an older car. What wheels are you running summer or winter tires! The Audi interior is nice. But without that interior package it’s quite bland.

[@msimpson46]

A45S better looking inside and out, smokes the Audi on rolling starts and round a track. RS3 will never be as good unless they spend the time to truly reinvent it like AMG did with the A45. They have just copied the slip diff and added bulky front tires and kept the 10 year old engine. Poor effort from Audi.

[@davidkelly2542]

I'd take an fk8 type r over both these, far more engaging to drive

[@shauntompkins5061]

Me too. I did! And save yourself 20+ K

[@bagofsunshine3916]

The engine of the RS3 wins. But the interior of the AMG is just so much better. Darn is audi, you were supposed to have the premium interior. i've been inside both. contrary to what was said in the video the interior of the RS3 is quite lacking and doesn't feel very RS, cheap plastics and pretty basic seats and it lacks some tech. The AMG's interior is just more expensive, more high end materials and better tech.

[@mattr9003]

Re. RS3....geez you're hard to please mate!

[@freshprince3891]

Saying you should be locked up? The real question should be why do they make cars go faster than the speed limit.

[@neillgowans4350]

Almost all cars can go way quicker than national speed limits. Strange point to make.

[@batmikipig]

Rs3 still has 2 left brake rotors 😬... never change!

[@callumpalmer3258]

Great cars.. but tbh id probably save 20k a buy a used Focus RS

[@skids4791]

I had a Astra VXR in 2006 and that interior was as good as the Audi. I think the Audi’s interior is pretty poor.

[@paulhammal7231]

Ordered an A45. These made the last two in my decision. Prefer the look, tech and interior of the Mercedes. Don’t see as many about either. Roll on spring 😃

[@future9327]

I am with RS3 but in full black color