Audi RS3 - Interior & comfort (2017-2021)
The interior of the Audi RS3 is the best in its class thanks to its design and materials
There’s no escaping the fact that the RS3 has a firm suspension setup, as you’d expect of a performance car. If you find it too firm on a test drive, you’ll want to upgrade to the Magnetic Ride Control. This provides adjustable settings that can be selected via the standard Audi Drive Select system.
Audi RS3 dashboard
Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a large screen that replaces traditional analogue dials, is fitted as standard, and allows you to display your personal choice of various driving information types, including full-colour 3D map data. Elsewhere, the controls for the air-conditioning and infotainment system are easy to use and good to look at, too, even if they're starting to look a little dated.
The inside of the latest RS3 is yet another masterclass from Audi in interior design. Leather and Alcantara suede are used extensively throughout the cabin and everything is beautifully finished and is pleasing to the touch. The layout of the Mercedes-AMG A45 S feels more modern thanks to its slick twin-display setup.
Equipment
As befits a range-topping model, the RS3 doesn’t want for much in the way of standard equipment. On top of dual-zone climate control, there’s an infotainment system with a seven-inch retractable display, sat nav, DVD video and music storage on a built-in 10GB hard drive, as well as DAB radio and a 10-speaker stereo.
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The RS3 sets itself aside from lowlier models with an ‘RS’ flat-bottomed steering wheel and matching gearknob. The door sills are illuminated with an ‘RS’ logo and there’s a more comprehensive interior lighting package than is standard in other models. A nice touch is ‘Audi Beam’, which projects the Audi Sport logo onto the ground when you step out of the car.
Buyers can also choose the RS 3 Audi Sport Edition, which has model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels, black exterior trim, a panoramic sunroof, carbon inlays and front Super Sports seats with embossed RS logos and diamond stitching.
Options
As ever with an Audi, there’s the opportunity to add a significant amount to the list price of the RS3 with items from the options list. The most expensive are performance-related, including the fiercely powerful but fearsomely expensive ceramic brake package, a sports exhaust and a top speed raised to 174mph from the standard electronically limited 155mph.
The one package that we recommend above all others is the Driver Assistance Pack, which includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and traffic-jam assistance – which can help with steering, acceleration and braking at speeds of up to 37mph keeping the car in lane automatically.
A panoramic glass sunroof can be chosen, as can privacy glass and an upgrade to ‘super sport’ front seats. There are a number of optional interior trim finishes, too, as well as extended leather upholstery in place of certain plastic surfaces.
