Driven: Hot hatch for the SUV age

What is it?

The name says it all, the RSQ3 Sportback Edition 10 Years has been created to commemorate a decade since the RSQ3 first went on sale. It’s a significant milestone for Audi Sport because the RSQ3 was the first RS model for less than six-figures and it was part of the expansion of the high-performance range.

To mark this occasion the RSQ3 Edition 10 Years adds exclusive 21-inch black alloy wheels, black badging, black brake callipers and racing-style RS front seats with copper honeycomb stitching, as well as the same stitching on the Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and gear-shifter.

Audi is making just 555 examples of this special edition for the world but Australia has secured a healthy supply for Australian customers.

Does it have any racing pedigree?

Audi has a long and storied history in motorsport, most recently dominating at Le Mans and trying to win the Dakar Rally with a plug-in hybrid. It’s also planning a return to grand prix racing (since its pre-WWII days as Auto Union), which will coincide with the arrival of the new powertrain regulations in 2026.

This will only add to the connections between Audi Sport’s racing efforts and its road cars. Technologies like quattro, performance diesel engines and direct fuel injection have all been developed for racing and transferred to Audi RS models you can buy from the showroom.

What’s under the bonnet?

The RSQ3 may be a newer member of the Audi Sport line-up but it’s powered by the brand’s most iconic engine – the turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder that can trace its origins back to the original Quattro model.

It punches out 294kW of power and 480Nm of torque and it’s paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and, of course, quattro all-wheel drive. But it’s not just the power that impresses you, it’s the noise. The unique sound of the five-cylinder engine has become a trademark for Audi Sport models and it’s no different for this latest RSQ3.

Not that it’s all bark and no bite. The RSQ3 will run 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 250km/h.

How does it handle?

The RSQ3 Sportback has always been a favourite of this website, since we last drove it back in 2020. It features hot hatch-like handling, even if it can’t quite match the RS3 for absolute on-the-limit handling, this feels agile and responsive like few other compact SUVs.

The Edition 10 Years hasn’t messed with that formula, keeping all the same mechanical attributes and abilities. So it steers with precision, reacts quickly to inputs and feels planted and confident.

Where would you most like to drive it?

This is the type of performance car you go out looking for twisty roads with. It’s easy to drive over long distances because of the luxurious interior, but when you find a challenging stretch of road it comes alive dynamically.

What’s the interior like?

The standard RSQ3 Sportback interior was already very impressive, nicely blending Audi’s typically luxurious design elements with some sport embellishments from Audi Sport. The Edition 10 Years takes that to the next level, with the honeycomb stitching that really pops in the otherwise dark interior.

The Audi Sport RS seats are a particular highlight, offering excellent support especially when pushing the dynamic abilities of the machine.

It’s obviously not an ideal family car, with the compact size the back seats are a little tight on space, but for those looking for a fun and practical modern twist on the hot hatch, the RSQ3 Sportback will tick a lot of boxes.

How much does the Audi RSQ3 Sportback Edition 10 Years cost?

This limited edition is priced from $102,900 (plus on-road costs), which takes the model into six-figures for the first time. But for the extra equipment, it’s a good value step up from the regular RSQ3 Sportback, which starts at $99,100.

Would I buy one?

Hot hatch purists will avoid these taller, heavier SUVs, but personally I’m coming around to them thanks to examples like this one. Audi has nailed the brief of adding a true performance edge to a stylish and practical compact SUV.

The fact the Edition 10 Years exists is a testament to the fact many people feel the same way, as the RSQ3 has become an integral part of the local Audi Sport portfolio.