Audi RS3 Sportback

The 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback's cabin is a bit bland and dark. It has Nappa leather seats with a honeycomb design and red stitching. The rest of the upholstery gets a similar treatment, along with the multifunction steering wheel and air vents. The Alcantara-trimmed sports steering wheel is an excellent feature that lends the RS3 a proper race-car feel. The dashboard gets carbon-effect trim pieces that aren’t particularly great and do look a bit cheap. However, Audi uses good quality materials, and the cabin feels upmarket. The dashboard gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with multiple speakers that are easy to use. There's a 12.3-inch instrument panel with the Audi RS Runway display. It's a vertically aligned speedometer and rev counter that moves toward the driver from the top of the screen during acceleration. There are a lot of physical buttons for chassis setup and climate control. The car gets 218 litres of boot space.

The 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback has a rugged appearance. The car has a solid construction, typical of German engineering. The upgraded Audi RS3 Sportback has reduced its front-end weight, courtesy the aluminium block and oil pump, the lightweight crankshaft and pulleys, and the magnesium oil pan. This has improved the car's agility. As far as styling is concerned, the RS3 Sportback is a more performance-oriented car than its earlier version. The oversized mesh grille extends to the tires. The grille's top part is flanked by LED headlights. The RS3 Sportback has become more attention grabbing than ever with flashy wheels, and daytime running lights (DRLs) that spell 'RS3' while unlocking the car. The front bumper is bulkier than before. The rear-end gets a dual-exhaust setup, a powered tailgate opener with the Audi logo on the boot top. Overall, the 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback is an attractive looking car. It runs on 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback has a spacious cabin for a hatchback. The electrically adjustable front sports seats wrap around the occupant's sides and also provide strong bolstering, particularly while turning corners. All seats are nicely cushioned and have straight-back support. The two front seats get the maximum legroom and headroom. The rear seats are more spacious than most other hatchbacks. Still, accommodating three adults in the rear seat could be a bit tough. Taller passengers may find headroom a bit tight because of the sloping roofline. The chunky front sports seats also block the forward view. The prominent transmission channel takes up quite a lot of space. The suspension can be softened with the adaptive dampers, making the craggier stretched more comfortable

The entry-level 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback is hauled by a turbocharged, five-cylinder, 2.5-liter petrol engine that produces 406PS/480Nm. The motor is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. With its compact size, the car is easy to manoeuvre around town. It copes with long distances quite easily, with the regular non-adaptive cruise control that makes highway driving a breeze.   

The 2024 Audi RS3 Sportback starts at AED 247,200, making it among the most expensive hatchbacks in the premium segment. However, it's solidly built, has a spacious cabin, and offers several amenities. It's a worthy car for those who want to travel in premium comfort.