Hot hatch battle: Focus RS vs Civic Type R vs M140i vs RS 3 vs Golf R vs AMG A 45

Audi RS 3 Sportback

Quattro, says the logo across the mesh grille of the huge air intake, its mouth as wide open as that of a creature from Blue Planet II. Audi is milking the relationship with this car’s great, great grandfather, the original Audi Quattro. And who can blame it?

The second-generation RS 3 Sportback (hatchback) best illustrates the arms-race that some manufacturers have entered into. Its five-cylinder engine boasts almost as much power as a Porsche 911 Turbo of the ‘996’ era.

This makes it the most powerful car here. Little wonder, then, that it can accelerate from standstill to 62mph in just 4.1sec. But that doesn’t necessarily make it the leader of the pack. As the saying goes, power is nothing without control.

Driving enjoyment 7/10

The roads were damp and greasy during our test – the perfect conditions, surely, for a four-wheel drive car to shine. And shine it does.

From the moment you start the RS 3, to the moment you switch it off, the engine is the bit that leaves drivers bewitched. It sounds joyous, takes your breath away with its never-ending acceleration and the S tronic, dual-clutch gearbox is able to change gear faster than your finger can pull at the flappy paddles.

There is no moment where the 394bhp, five-cylinder motor is found wanting – unless, for some unfathomable reason, you bought a 395bhp hyper hatch to save on fuel bills.

Our test car had the German autobahn option fitted to it. This raises the electronically-limited top speed from 155mph to 174mph. But you have pay an eye-watering £1,600 for such shenanigans, and drive all the way to Germany to exploit it lawfully on a public road.

It’s a pleasant surprise to find that the standard damping and suspension doesn’t shake everyone’s head off their shoulders. Naturally it is firm – it has to be, to keep a 1,510kg projectile in check along a winding road – but never unpleasant. The Focus RS and Civic Type-R are considerably more wearing.

So, one car down and we already have a winner on our hands? Not so fast…

Driven hard, it feels composed, but never alive. It will get you from A to B in a flash, but when you’ve reached B, you won’t keep going, just for the hell of it. You would in some others tested here.

We’ve come in search of the all-important fun-factor; that tingling feeling a car gives its driver. When push comes to shove, it’s a frustrating near miss in the RS3. The Audi feels like a brute in a suit.

Interior and practicality 9/10

The fact that the RS3 Sportback isn’t quite as satisfying to drive on the limit as some of the cars here begs the question, how often will you spend driving as though your trousers are on fire?

When you’re not, the character of the Audi’s engine and the quality of its interior, and the subtle yet telling exterior styling details, make it a pleasure to live with.

It has the simplest dashboard layout. Yet it also manages to feel the poshest here. The driving position is good, the optional (£795) Nappa leather sports seats are terrific and the suede detailing on the steering wheel and gearlever has you reaching out to stroke them.

The boot is a little restrictive, with just 335 litres of luggage space, but it wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for many drivers.

Value for money 7/10

Are you sitting down? Good; here’s the price. A standard RS3 Sportback costs £44,300. With options, our test car was nearly £53,000. Some will view the car’s image and powertrain as being well worth the cost. Others will question the Audi’s value over, say, the Golf R, which offers a premium feel for a lot less money.

Verdict ★★★☆☆

Brimming with character on the surface, but dig a little deeper and it’s a let down.

Second opinion

Will Dron says: “The Audi feels heavier than the others here, particularly at the front, and that can translate into understeer when turning into a bend, but feed in the (more than ample) power and the quattro system sorts out the torque to each wheel, bringing the car back into line. This makes it easy to four-wheel drift and balance on the throttle. I found it more fun than James did but it’s also not the most effective car here if lap times are your goal. Ranks highly for comfort and quality but at this price, it really should.”

2017 Audi RS3 Sportback specifications

• Price from £44,300
• Engine 2480cc, 5-cylinder turbo
• Power 394bhp @ 5870rpm
• Torque 354 lb ft @ 1700rpm
• Transmission 7-speed dual clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
• Acceleration 0-62mph: 4.1sec
• Top speed 155mph
• Fuel / CO2 33.6mpg / 189g/km