Audi RS3 review – MPG and running costs
Somehow, gentle use will see nearly 40mpg on the trip, but even mid-30s is a realistic daily figure
Amazingly, drive with a light right foot and the RS3 will be able to stretch to 40mpg. We had the opportunity of running one for over six months, putting over 12,000 miles on it in the process, and found that alongside the engine’s performance, its economy also improved with time and miles.
When not trying to avoid the petrol pump, low-to-mid 30s is an accurate picture, even with town driving and some fast motorway work. Key to the engine’s relative economy is the same reason the transmission often feels a little low and unresponsive. It’ll always be chasing a high gear, and when coasting will constantly drop down into neutral to try to maintain speed. It’ll even do it on cruise control, happily letting you drop a few mph in the process.
Running costs were otherwise the usual sort. The engine was as reliable as ever, but it did go through a little bit of oil. It is worth remembering that ‘our’ car had a hard life, as the car was collected and driven back to the UK at V-max whenever the autobahn’s conditions allowed, before being then taken on multiple evo Trackdays in the UK and with RSR in Spa.
