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The 2022 Audi RS3 seems like an incredibly well-rounded sports sedan on paper, but buyers should be prepared for some of its quirks.

The second generation of Audi's RS3 lineup is now available for a base selling price of $58,900 and comes in a single trim configuration. Being the sportiest version of the A3, the 2022 Audi RS3 gets the punchy five-cylinder turbocharged engine along with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, making it a hoot to drive. The precise handling and the capable Quattro AWD drivetrain are also carried forward to this 2022 model.

Competing with the likes of the BMW M2 Coupe and the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45, the 2022 Audi RS3 ticks most of the boxes for a fun-to-drive subcompact sedan that can be your comfortable daily driver on the weekdays and set lap records on the weekends. The sharp steering, strong brakes, and decent ride quality make the RS3 a well-rounded sports sedan. But, before plunking your hard-earned money, here are 10 things you need to know about the 2022 Audi RS3.

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The 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine under the hood of the 2022 Audi RS3 puts out an impressive 401 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the power delivery is quite explosive. This helps the RS3 to do the 0-60 MPH run in 3.6 seconds and the quarter-mile can be done in around the 12-second mark.

The Quattro AWD drivetrain, coupled with the torque-vectoring rear differential and the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, helps to put the power down comfortably too. In comparison, both the BMW M2 Competition and Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG could do the 0-60 MPH run in a slightly higher 4 seconds.

Unlike the older generation of the RS3, this all-new fourth generation gets quite a lot of customization and personalization options. We do appreciate the three interior color combinations on offer, all of which can be had free of cost. The eight exterior color palettes and the Audi exclusive special paint are presented too.

Apart from that, the 2022 Audi RS3 comes with multiple alloy wheel designs and a long list of optional packages. The black optic package makes the ride quite fierce to look at. If you want more tech, features, and sporty accents, Audi provides you with RS technology and RS design green packages. All of these aren't priced very steeply as well.

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Since the 2022 Audi RS3 is based on the same platform as the Audi A3, the space is not going to wow anyone. However, even with a reasonably low length and wheelbase of the subcompact sporty sedan segment, it could fit five passengers with adequate comfort.

The front row offers decent legroom and headroom, even though both the M2 Competition and the CLA 45 AMG come out on top. But the rear seat experience is going to be much better in the RS3 due to the best-in-class headroom of 36.1" and headroom of 35.1". There are enough storage spaces inside the cabin too.

The exterior design of the 2022 Audi RS3 is a major departure from the bland-looking third generation of the RS3 which has been on sale till 2020. The youthful color palette coupled with many exterior design options makes sure that the car grabs attention wherever it goes.

If you get the black optic package, the 2022 Audi RS3 comes with blacked-out side mirrors, grille, air vents, and 19" alloy wheels. The sharp body lines and the massive alloy wheels give it the proper stance of a sporty sedan. The Matrix LED headlights, low ground clearance, and the beautifully integrated lip spoiler also add to the sportiness.

The braking performance of the 2022 Audi RS3 was a notch above the Audi S3 due to the better hardware the former comes with. The RS3 gets a massive 14.8" front rotors and 12.2" rear rotors, all of which are ventilated. The other braking features such as ABS, EBD, automated emergency braking, and brake assist are standard too.

As a result, the 2022 Audi RS3 could do the 70-0 MPH braking in just under 150 feet, which is superior to the S3. Along with that, the 2022 Audi RS3 also topped the chart in the subcompact segment as the BMW M2 Competition could do the same 70-0 mph braking in a slightly higher 155 feet.

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Coming with a powerful turbocharged five-cylinder motor producing a whopping 401 hp, the fuel efficiency does take a hit when compared to the CLA 45 AMG. This subcompact sports sedan managed to churn out 20 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highways, both of which equates to combined gas mileage of 23 MPG.

With a 14.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, the 2022 RS3 has a highway range of close to 420 miles. However, the BMW M2 Competition turned out to be the least frugal of the lot, returning a combined gas mileage of 20 MPG and a highway range of just 343 miles.

Like the Audi A3, the cabin of the 2022 Audi RS3 comes fitted with soft-touch premium materials all around. The dashboard and door cards get a heavy dose of leather, injection molded plastics, and aluminum accents, all of which ups the premium experience of the cabin.

The sporty green accents that the steering wheel, high-mounted AC vents, and seats provide a more sporty feel to the cabin too. The digital gauge cluster and the leather-wrapped steering wheel look stunning as well. Along with that, the sports seats with thick side bolstering and the spot-on ergonomics add to the comfort factor.

The 10.1" MMI touchscreen infotainment system comes packed with all the relevant features such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, subscription-based wi-fi hotspot, voice commands, and steering-mounted controls. The intuitive interface of this infotainment is another major plus point.

Even though it lacks hard buttons and knobs such as for the iDrive infotainment system, the excellent interface makes up more for it. This makes the MMI infotainment come out as one of the most coveted infotainments out there. The optional Bang & Olufsen audio system can be had with the RS technology package too.

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The 2022 Audi RS3 comes packed with many driver-assistance techs such as forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. You could also get a few more features such as traffic sign recognition, blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control as part of the optional packages.

The car is mostly constructed in high-tensile steel and aluminum, and that along with the long list of standard safety and driver-assistance techs would help to safeguard the passengers tremendously while in an accident.

Offered in a single trim configuration and launched at a base selling price of $58,900, the 2022 Audi RS3 isn't the most value for money proposition in the segment. In comparison, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG is quite a lot cheaper and comes with almost similar engine performance numbers.

The CLA 45 AMG also comes packed with most of the interior and safety features as standard. The optional packages are slightly lesser priced than the RS3 too. Along with that, the Audi S3 is about $10,000 cheaper than the RS3 and offers an impressive driving experience. The spacious cabin, stylish design, and many standard features make the S3 a better value proposition than the RS3 too.

Mohith is our in-house motorcycle mechanic and automotive geek. He loves riding and driving at the limits, and you would frequently notice him on racetracks at the weekends. Mohith is someone who would redline anything that comes with a motor - even our office lawnmower. He often does cross-country road trips in his trusted 300ZX and you could find him riding his CB750 quite often through the streets of Pasadena as well as on the Moore Motorsports racetrack.