The idea of a luxury hatchback is kind of ridiculous. A five year old Golf R costs £20,000 plus a chip tuning to take it to 360bhp. Not worth spending £50,000+ on a hatchback. For that money buy a proper looking luxury car.
This is the best review you've ever done..your enthusiasm and detail for both cars is amazing...didn't need a winner they probably appeal to different people or both appeal to everyone....like me
This is such an excellent point. Both are neck and neck in terms of performance, but they both really distinguish themselves from the other. His mentioning of the RS3's practicality as a daily compared to the A45 (which provides more thrill at the cost of daily comfort) really highlights this. Ultimately, I think it comes down to personal taste, and you really couldn't go wrong with either of these if both appeal to you!
Well, I went from the Merc to the RS3. The Audi is the better car. Don't miss the seats in the Merc and the interior - much prefer my new car in that regard. Better to drive too.
@@luciussander8217 I also drove the new RS3 while I was deciding which car to buy. And I didn’t miss the Audi I much prefer the Merc 😂 everyone is entitled to an opinion
@@200gmann and a 20k in price difference. Clearly a bmw fanboy only thinking about the M3, and probably drives a clio. The a45s would give the M3 a run for it’s money
The a45 is the only car I've seen tested in the last twenty years that makes every single person smile and laugh when they drive it. I saw one where guy was driving an a45 that his friend had for a year and his friend made the same big smile like it was the first day he got it.
I'm surprised Audi screwed up with the gearing and turbo lag - I mean after all these years of Audi turbo you'd think they'd have it nailed by now. Puzzling. But @3:12 that tyre damage - was that even safe to drive because the MoT would condemn it. 😮
Hardly. I have the new RS3, it's just fine inside. People getting their knickers in a twist over nothing. It's based on an A3, what do you expect, the interior from an A6? Everything is solid, no rattles, looks great, tech is great and the plastics are mainly OK - crucially, it does still feel and look premium. Get in a Golf R if you want to see the next step down the ladder...
It's pretty true its mainly the plastic quality but that's happened across the whole vw group recently. Had a look at a golf rs3 and golf r and they feel no better than a hyundai i30n (albeit thet have a better design)
RS3 all day. The modifications for the RS3 platform are crazy and will be for this also. The AMG engine is already maxed out just about and i douibt you will get much more outta it mean while with the RS3 people will be gettin 700hp out of it quickly.
Yeah most people won’t mod these cars due to warranty. The Merc is a strong engine coming with forged pistons/crank and closed deck from factory. Stage 2 around 500hp and turbo upgrade from there can push it 600hp+. Not bad considering it’s half a litre smaller. Imagine the power it would be putting out if Merc made it a 2.5 litre.
@@earnhighcommissions6615 Crap and he's right, most buyers and I'm one of them, will not be modifying their new RS3. It invalidates the warranty and the car is fast enough as it is. If I wanted faster, I'd buyer a faster car.
2 years later, I can attest that the 8y RS3 still has very little to offer in the ECU aftermarket. I'm not modifying mine cuz I think it's perfect right from the factory. But for people who want to go stage 2/stage 3, better off getting an 8v.
Seeing Matt pull off in launch controll on the A45S with absolutely no drop of tyre spin, I wonder if he knows about the feature the new AMG's have that you can manually increase/decrease the launch revs based on how grippy the surface is you are launching on. I think that A45S could have done a bit better🤔🤔🤔
I still wish the RS3 had a fulltime AWD system instead of a gimped Haldex setup. It's so close to being the perfect modern-day RS2 homage, but the weak AWD system spoils it a little imo
I have installed a Haldex controller and can select from 100/0 (F/R) up to 50/50, fixed or according to speed, throttle or combined speed and throttle. Lots of fun when you can set 50/50 for fast acceleration from the dig and then automatically change to 100/0 at highway speed.
@@Chris-yg3njI hate Mercedes interior looks absolutely chavy. All your missing is a Gucci belt, Gucci cap, stainless steel Cartier watch & fuck pug or Frenchie with turkey teeth. No fucking thank you.
Lacking alcantara on the steering wheel is a good thing. It is by far one of the worst materials for that purpose. It gets matted down and becomes nearly impossible to get a good grip on.
@@KTham-li1fe US market is not really a hatchback market. All compact hatches are looked at as beginner drivers first time cars. So a hot hatch price is a hard no. Why pay that price, when you can get a full size car, truck, or suv. Also for half the price, you can get a 400hp Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, or Chevy Camaro. Also another big no is the dealerships, they treat hot hatches like they are Lambos or Ferraris. Some will even want money down just to take a test drive. That's what killed the Ford RS and almost killed the Civic Type R and Golf R. Even the Hyundai i30 N never made it over, but we do get the Elantra N and Veloster N.
I always thought the AMG a class was the kings of the hatch (as my mate owns one) until i drove and owned the Audis Rs3 for a weekend and its a different level of beast!!! Audi wins for me...
@@rg6982 thats true.. well mat says what everyone want him to say.. these cars are so close ,it has to do with what you want from your car..audis were always the best all around cars and with 2.5 engine is clearly the best option for me.
If the owner is like any of the ones near me that have these cars, it'll be a typical city boy racer who thinks he's the bee's knees and hits kerbs all the time doing 70, massive chunk of tyre missing too, hardly a slow kerbing!
I kinda prefer the outside look of the audi more but having driven the a45s I can say it's one hell of a machine. And the audi definitely needs to get rid of those Pzeros on rs cars
@@TheBroshoes well as it is a high performance car, better tires would make a measurable difference. Pilot sport 4s or sportcontact 7-s would be a much better fit. Go watch some tire reviews, they make a pretty big difference :)
Agreed, have pzeros on my rs3 saloon 2017 and they suck. Don’t last long. In fact I complained to Pirelli about 2 which were only a year old with 4K on them but already starting to perish on outer edge. To be fair they gave me 50%. The tyres only last about 8k to 10k anyway. Might get Michelins next, but they stated they aren’t compatible, though a lot of people get them
Drove both options in USD spec and went with a CLA 35 AMG ( saved $15k over local rates) ... all and all I'm happy it fits what I was looking for ... But I gotta admit you are right quality specially insulation has stepped down a bit in these ...
I was looking a new CLA35 but was hard to find in 2022 so ended up getting a CLA45. Dunno why but the 35 sounds very nice compared to my 45 exhaust note
Owned a pre-facelift Audi RS3 (previous model’s pre facelift) and drove it for 25000km. Amazing car and good quality. Now driving a 2020 180d A series Amg-line Mercedes. Interior quality and built quality is terrible compared to Audi. Rough surfaces make the dash and interior make all kinds of squeeky noises and rattles. Nowhere near the Audi’s quality. What’s even more annoying in the Mercedes is that some of the rattles and squeeks and unsolvable. For example the panels next to where the seatbelt is at, next to your shoulder, there is a rattle all the time and some of the squeeks from the dashboard cannot be removed even though you to try push or tap around the dashboard to make it stop. I commute a lot so the consumption is good obviously, best I’ve got is 3,5l/100km but the clutch is sooo jerky when leaving from standstill. It almost seems like the clutch is flawed but it’s just a feature of the Renault engine.
Exactly what I am talking about referencing the new RS3 - while it is better than the previous gens, it still has little power down low. That is my deal breaker. 1500-4000 isn’t great. Sure you can get a fast 60 under hard launches. But street starts 5-60 are WAAAAAAAY slower - I got almost 5 seconds to 60 - vs 3.68 on launch - that tells you way too much lag down low… bummer. It was on my short list - but for $70k no chance - one of my current cars is so fast off the line and no lag I would hate this
Going fast is not just about 0-60 runs. Where the RS3 excels is the way it handles through the twisty stuff, so much better than the AMG I owned and stock, my new RS3 was showing 423bhp. Little power low down? Come on buddy, have you even driven one? It launches like a scolded cat!
How is Audi underrated, the VW group has the biggest fanbase and customer base by far compared to the other 2. Everyone and their mother knows Audis and their reputation.
For the past week after seeing The impressive pipes and size of the RS3.., I've been wondering which is the big daddy of the compact section... This should really be a good watch.. Thank you Matty Boi...
I've owned both vehicles. The A45s is really plastic in the cabin, ride can feel a little crashy as a daily, however very fun to drive and the engine is more responsive feels almost like a Go Kart. Also it looks more aggressive and sporty. The RS3 feels more comfortable and solid as a daily although the cabin is cheaper than previous models and lacks any theme considering it is a £60k car. Performance on the RS3 is incredible it is very quick but you can feel a turbo lag at times. I have the RS3 carbon edition and I was disappointed you dont get basics like electric seats, pan roof, and augmented reality Sat Nav all of which you get on the A45 for the same money. The RS3 also looks very similar to the regular A3 aside from the a spoiler and bigger wheels. Its very much muted in terms of the look of the car. Both the RS and A45 dont sound as good as their predecessors but that is expected with todays Government restrictions. Basically if you want fun and tech go for the A45s, if you want comfort, performance and build quality go for the RS3. Another a small note is in all of the RUclips vids the RS3 beats the A45S in drags and 0-60 times. Matts video didnt do the RS justice.
@@idris_elbow Well, it looks like it is IF you’re after a more aggressive/fun and “techy/showy” car. For all the rest, including the style (in my opinion, and I know that’s a very particular matter), you’d be better off with the RS3, which would be my choice anyway, even if it weren’t for those points. The 5 cyl. alone is more than enough of a reason.
How much did mercedes pay u to tell the people that the a45 is better than the rs3? I tested both and u are absolutely wrong with almst every of your statements.🤦🏻♂️
Prove that you tested both, post up some video evidence! because i smell BS! You can't even type properly so i suspect you can't even drive, let alone afford either car.
Driven performance Audis most of my life. Recently changed to performance BMW. However I would choose the Mercedes over the RS3. Better interior, more sporty aggressive drive, but both amazing cars 👍
Same!! Couldn’t agree more….. fed up of Audi not fixing basic MMI issues, and cheaper quality compared to only 2-3 yrs ago. They couldn’t care less either. Shame as I wanted the RS3 but used my deposit in the end and went BMW.
I’d take the RS3 purely for the 5 cylinder engine. When (or if) they make a new RS3, i very much doubt it will be a car with a 5 pot engine in it. Such a unique sound compared to anything else on the road.
While the A45’s 2.0L feels faster from the factory, consider this. To get there AMG had to wind it up so far (25psi) that it is highly stressed and can’t be made to go faster. The RS3 on the other hand, is just as quick yet does it so much easier, and when tuned can keep up with Supercars!!!
4 pot unless flat or V can't sound better than a 5 pot, also as an actual AMG 45s owner are you in a position to really compare the cars unbiasedly ? i'm actually with you the A45s is a dream car for me but the vast majority of comparisons have gone with the latest RS3 in their head to heads
@Mr Sir car journalist would lost all credibility taking money to promote one product over another. Even their laughable inbuilt BMW bias is mostly built around intangibles for the everyday driver like 1.7 second difference around a Track. That apart journalist are generally on the money when it comes to car reviews, and as such the new RS3 is the better all round car with all things considered in all but Matt's view so far. I'm a fan of both but er towards the AMG because i just like it, no other reason. But ive driven in the current model A35 and the ride is TRASH GARBAGE by any account (suspension is stone). The RS3 is also weirdly faster in any drag race, like doesn't make sense faster, they should be the same or slightly slower but no. as seen on ALL OTHER reviews. Fact
Rs3 is the better option. That 4 cylinder in the a45 is already stressed and probably can’t push it much further with bolt ons ,e85 and a tune. You put a simple tune with a downpipe on the rs3 you are already up 150hp and with e85 and other bolt ons over 600bhp. Rs3 also handles better as proved around the Nurburgring
The a45 starting with the first one ofc is the best marketing trick Mercedes did, slowly introducing the engine in a base model warming people up to it and putting all their money on this engine developing it because they new one day it would be the only engine that would survive.
Personally I like the Audi exterior more. More angular, edgy and with more elements that make it interesting to look at. Merc is too smooth and looks like an egg on its side. That front end isn't personally my cup of tea, and exposed intercooler is not a good thing: it'll quickly lose its already-limited ability to cool as it gets peppered by small stones in city traffic. Performance: much of muchness really. At the light, it may well boil down to who reacts better to the lights changing ;) Just because Audi seats don't grip you quite as tightly, doesn't mean they are inferior. In terms of size (correct me if I'm wrong) you aren't the biggest guy out there, and Audi seems to cater to a slightly larger bunch of body sizes. People that go to gym or are slightly overweight might well find Audi seats a better option due to Merc seats being too tight for them. Smooth and simple dash and screen of a Merc vs edgy and almost "Gundam inspired" Audi? Depends on your tastes. I won't comment on that or on which infotainment is better. I'd choose Audi personally.
@@Max_Da_G Yea of course with your monney you will buy the best for you personal i like more Mercedes but all cars is so diferent in style , aspect ,driving every car have god and bad thinks!😎
Mat i agree with you in the verdict merc look more beautiful with this amazing grey mat color and i agree with you that merc A45s is more fun driving than the Audi if i asked to choose which car i would buy i will say 100% merc
I always think audi interior don’t look to good on pictures or videos, until you get behind the wheel in real life. And with mercedes it is the other way around.
Would never buy a German car these day’s, as Mat says at 6:01 the build quality is nowhere near as good as it use to be and from my experience the reliability is bad, and when thing’s go wrong it’s cost a kidney and liver to fix
I think it’s the end of the day it’s personal preference. I drive an Audi RS Q8 and I make sure it had ceramic brakes. The reason is I hate brake dust and dirty wheels. That’s sad, when you invest in a top tier vehicle, unless you’re racing seconds don’t matter. It’s more about the looks.
Agree. BMWs tend to be a little cheaper as well. But how about their reliability? Seems like Mercedes and AUDI have a better reputation for reliability than BMW.
I'll get an A45 for my next car. And tbh most of these hot hatch's are so close now it's the interior that makes the decision for me. Mercedes interior is just so good.
@@fayahmad9063 They gone up already as I was gonna get one 6 months ago had to settle for A250 4 matic. I'm hoping in 2 years time the nearly new market drops a bit as it was pricey already. I sold my previous Merc for more than I paid!
@@ashleygray1632 yeah I’m looking at a Cla45s on average used ones are going for 58k whilst list is 61 🙃 it’s not stopping anytime soon too. I can’t wait 2 years wish I had the patience like you
@@fayahmad9063 To be fair I am happy with my current A class. But I told my missus I want 1 full on proper track day car once then il switch to electric lol
I've driven the A45S and it's a mad little beast. A shame that Audi didn't use the capacity advantage to get rid of the lag. A smaller turbine with more boost would have helped but the audi engine is probably way cheaper than the AMG...
I think a bit of that is because of emission targets, that Audi looked like it wasn’t going to meet them at one stage but that Merc is still the older emission standards but I do agree for a smaller engine the Merc does brilliant
My neighbour has an A45s and I think it's a junk heap it gets confused on B-roads and I don't care what anyone says these cars don't feel the HP they claim. Off the mark they feel every bit of it but from 70mph onward they aint as fast as older cars with less power. See my neighbour he tried to race a s2000 on the B-roads here (which he knows well) and it spanked him. He admitted it spanked him every bend.
@@bigduphusaj162 did you take into consideration the drivers?? Regardless, with pro drivers I doubt the S2k will have the lead regardless of weight. Stock cars ofc
@Erik W held back? That's stupid and untrue. Why hold back when they can add more and then you would tune even more. Yes they tune well but it's not designed to be tuned, please.
@Erik W so they made the car slower to help sales of their other cars? That's sad. Why not make the other cars faster and thiscar faster? Now that would increase sales! Why the heck would I buy a car that's purposely not made to be faster just to tune it.... we are living in clown world I guess
02:28 Which sounds worst? 👀VOTE BELOW!
VOTE: Audi RS3
VOTE: AMG A45 S
The AMG A45 S sounds the worst! But I love the AMG A45 S because it's performance is insane!
RS3 :)
a45 no cap
sound of a 5 cylinders is always better than a 4 cylinders, even with a soft limiter
Both Fake 😂😂😂
@@qwertzn 5 cylinders is better than 4, qwertzN.
@@purwantiallan5089 jes, but both sounds are fake inside :D
Nope.
@@jeffreyt4709 expert
3:09 that must've been a really bad run into the curb to take off a chunk of the tyre like that.
@Chatsta every single a45 ive seen never has the T on🤣🤣
cant expect much from a merc driver
@Chatsta had to look for it. Nice catch.
@Chatsta u cant spell TURBO without T, Chatsta.
@@Andrewzwyatt 😂😂😂
Crazy to think these hatch backs have a history in “cheap performance” cars.
No longer with £50k + price tags.
true, the prices will propably lower quite a bit overtime as they lose value atleast 10k to 15k
@@adplays7261 Man Idk those RS models hold their value extremely well.
The RS3 and A45 have never been cheap. They have always cost almost twice as much as the base models.
@@adplays7261 Have you seen how much used RS3s go for? It's pretty crazy.
The idea of a luxury hatchback is kind of ridiculous. A five year old Golf R costs £20,000 plus a chip tuning to take it to 360bhp. Not worth spending £50,000+ on a hatchback. For that money buy a proper looking luxury car.
Really impressed by the staying power of the A45 after all these years.
Yea but it’s resale value is crap lol
@@MTLJack u don’t buy them as an investment
@@MTLJack if that's the reason you're buying then waw
@@MTLJack the resale value is really good. Webuyanycar have offered me 8k more than I owe on it :)
@@MTLJackis a different story in my country. It has a good resale value here
This is the best review you've ever done..your enthusiasm and detail for both cars is amazing...didn't need a winner they probably appeal to different people or both appeal to everyone....like me
This is such an excellent point. Both are neck and neck in terms of performance, but they both really distinguish themselves from the other. His mentioning of the RS3's practicality as a daily compared to the A45 (which provides more thrill at the cost of daily comfort) really highlights this. Ultimately, I think it comes down to personal taste, and you really couldn't go wrong with either of these if both appeal to you!
I would go with any of 'em. Fantastic cars. I love the colour of the AMG.
Those bots are crazy, Carwow.
It's a nightmare to maintain though
@R I T A - F Ú:Ç:K MÈ PLÈĀŚЕ ! its rita guys. Honestly its not a Romanian man on his old smart phone with a cracked screen
@@sayyedameerarkhisro1464 especially the audi.
What colour? It's the most boring a car could possibly look
As an A45s Owner this does put a smile to my face 😁 but that doesn’t take away the fact each time I see an RS3 there is always mutual respect ✊🏼
Well, I went from the Merc to the RS3. The Audi is the better car. Don't miss the seats in the Merc and the interior - much prefer my new car in that regard. Better to drive too.
@@luciussander8217 I also drove the new RS3 while I was deciding which car to buy. And I didn’t miss the Audi I much prefer the Merc 😂 everyone is entitled to an opinion
F*** BMW
@@spekyspectacles105 no question which one is quicker and has more power potential, there are guys making over 800 rwhp on the 5 cyl
@@fzr1000981 ok mate it’s not a competition
The new RS3-R ABT that dropped yesterday is something you have to race against an M3 Competition! Cheers
Lol
500 ABT-hp means 350 Porsche-hp
Overpriced and underengineered
No one cares lol
The Audi fanboy again, the normal RS3 can't do shit against a M3 so he has to bring up the tuned one. They have to race it against a tuned M3 then
@@baksuse Pathetic comment. There's over 100 bhp difference between the standard cars!
@@200gmann and a 20k in price difference. Clearly a bmw fanboy only thinking about the M3, and probably drives a clio. The a45s would give the M3 a run for it’s money
The a45 is the only car I've seen tested in the last twenty years that makes every single person smile and laugh when they drive it.
I saw one where guy was driving an a45 that his friend had for a year and his friend made the same big smile like it was the first day he got it.
I'm surprised Audi screwed up with the gearing and turbo lag - I mean after all these years of Audi turbo you'd think they'd have it nailed by now. Puzzling. But @3:12 that tyre damage - was that even safe to drive because the MoT would condemn it. 😮
Thank you for addressing Audi’s huge degradation in quality. It has to be said. Every new model is worse than the one before it for interior quality
and they were no 1 before in terms of interior quality in my opinion!
@@utb8536 🤣 good one.
Hardly. I have the new RS3, it's just fine inside. People getting their knickers in a twist over nothing. It's based on an A3, what do you expect, the interior from an A6? Everything is solid, no rattles, looks great, tech is great and the plastics are mainly OK - crucially, it does still feel and look premium. Get in a Golf R if you want to see the next step down the ladder...
It's pretty true its mainly the plastic quality but that's happened across the whole vw group recently. Had a look at a golf rs3 and golf r and they feel no better than a hyundai i30n (albeit thet have a better design)
Luckily, the newest version of the R8 still has great build quality
Definitely feels like it’s more exciting in the A45s. Sounds more manic and those shift changes were sharp.
That tyre wall and wheel damage on the MB is huge
RS3 all day. The modifications for the RS3 platform are crazy and will be for this also. The AMG engine is already maxed out just about and i douibt you will get much more outta it mean while with the RS3 people will be gettin 700hp out of it quickly.
@William Anderson Average person cannot afford duh
Yeah most people won’t mod these cars due to warranty. The Merc is a strong engine coming with forged pistons/crank and closed deck from factory. Stage 2 around 500hp and turbo upgrade from there can push it 600hp+. Not bad considering it’s half a litre smaller. Imagine the power it would be putting out if Merc made it a 2.5 litre.
@@earnhighcommissions6615 Crap and he's right, most buyers and I'm one of them, will not be modifying their new RS3. It invalidates the warranty and the car is fast enough as it is. If I wanted faster, I'd buyer a faster car.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 Congrats on car, how is it? I am looking to purchase in 2 months time, hatchback version.
2 years later, I can attest that the 8y RS3 still has very little to offer in the ECU aftermarket. I'm not modifying mine cuz I think it's perfect right from the factory. But for people who want to go stage 2/stage 3, better off getting an 8v.
Seeing Matt pull off in launch controll on the A45S with absolutely no drop of tyre spin, I wonder if he knows about the feature the new AMG's have that you can manually increase/decrease the launch revs based on how grippy the surface is you are launching on. I think that A45S could have done a bit better🤔🤔🤔
He has one as a daily
Love the sound of that beautiful 5 cylinder!
I still wish the RS3 had a fulltime AWD system instead of a gimped Haldex setup. It's so close to being the perfect modern-day RS2 homage, but the weak AWD system spoils it a little imo
I’ve got an 8v S3 and I concur, that new gen system is supposed to be really good but I would think the Quattro ultra off the RS6 would be perfect.
@@joelzylstra2971 RS4 and S1 also.
Get Haldex control system
@@joelzylstra2971 no haldex system is good, they are all abysmal.
I have installed a Haldex controller and can select from 100/0 (F/R) up to 50/50, fixed or according to speed, throttle or combined speed and throttle. Lots of fun when you can set 50/50 for fast acceleration from the dig and then automatically change to 100/0 at highway speed.
Would love to see a comparison of the GLA45 S vs RSQ3, or even a drag race of the A45 S vs RS3 vs GLA45 S vs RSQ3 - make it happen Matt!
Gla is way lighter then the Q3 as the Q3 is a class bigger, we should look for the GLB for that race
@@DIRTYvinnieXD I disagree, looking at the stats (height/width/weight) the GLA is closer in size to the Q3 than the GLB is.
@@joellistic9454 sorry you are right
@@DIRTYvinnieXD no the Q3 is in the liga of a gla and the glc is in the liga of the q5
M2 owns both in reverse
I think the RS3 is a better buy considering it sounds amazing almost like a baby V10 plus with bolt-ons you could get them to run in the low nines
£50k for that interior, no thank you
@@Chris-yg3njI hate Mercedes interior looks absolutely chavy. All your missing is a Gucci belt, Gucci cap, stainless steel Cartier watch & fuck pug or Frenchie with turkey teeth. No fucking thank you.
Your not getting low nines with only bolt ons lmfao
The rs3 sounded amazing before the soft limiter and filter crap
3:16 they penciled in the T in Turbo, gotta love that Merc quality
Lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Rs3 offcourse dont care if it slower, you cant dislike the inline 5, audi is the only brand that still makes 5 cyl
RS3 only wants turbo engines.
Rs3 .More tunable as well🙌✨✨
@Mr Sir that s the fun of it. Car guys will understand;)
For what it's worth the RS3 monsters the A45s on the ring. Both cars are great either way.
The RS3 is actually faster looking at the previous drag races.
Mat you never fails to impress, entertain, amaze and excite us! I love you so much Mat!
Lacking alcantara on the steering wheel is a good thing. It is by far one of the worst materials for that purpose. It gets matted down and becomes nearly impossible to get a good grip on.
Good to see the head to head tests again, I feel like it's been a while, good consumer advice.
Useful in M25 jams !!.
I really wish the A45 was available in the US, much love for sports compacts!
Wait it's not available in the us?
Cla 45 is the same car just a 4 door coupe
@@KTham-li1fe US market is not really a hatchback market. All compact hatches are looked at as beginner drivers first time cars. So a hot hatch price is a hard no. Why pay that price, when you can get a full size car, truck, or suv. Also for half the price, you can get a 400hp Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, or Chevy Camaro. Also another big no is the dealerships, they treat hot hatches like they are Lambos or Ferraris. Some will even want money down just to take a test drive. That's what killed the Ford RS and almost killed the Civic Type R and Golf R. Even the Hyundai i30 N never made it over, but we do get the Elantra N and Veloster N.
But you can get there for the same money a good used C63 and they are also extremly quick.
ruclips.net/video/5hcpzEHiHcg/видео.html
@@rdramos13 The Civic Type R is sick 🔥 but I have seen people complain about its rrp like £20k higher mark up than what the actual price is
Thank you so much Zain for giving your insane Mercedes-AMG A45 S to Mat for this insane video!
Amazing test again, Carwow!
@@purwantiallan5089 Yes!
I always thought the AMG a class was the kings of the hatch (as my mate owns one) until i drove and owned the Audis Rs3 for a weekend and its a different level of beast!!!
Audi wins for me...
2.5 is THE ENGINE
@@αισχοςντροπη i agree, although Audis design can be a bit mote exciting, its for sure the better car. Especially in the UK with our shitty roads
@@rg6982 thats true.. well mat says what everyone want him to say.. these cars are so close ,it has to do with what you want from your car..audis were always the best all around cars and with 2.5 engine is clearly the best option for me.
@@αισχοςντροπη 2.5 cylinder??
@@rg6982 and tons of wavy roads.
Can’t wait to drive this Mercedes when I finally afford it 20 years later👍
Why not afford it now
40 years after inflation rise. You won't be able to touch the pedal due to Arthritis !!!.
these cars wont exist after 20 years
Did you tried finance?
Yeah if it’s still running by then…
The most underrated thng on this channel.....
Matt’s arms they are chiselled 🔥🔥🔥
Why is nobody talking about 3:12? Imagine buying a £60K hatchback and smashing your wheel that hard. 💀
wanted to say the same. Cringe moment for sure
If the owner is like any of the ones near me that have these cars, it'll be a typical city boy racer who thinks he's the bee's knees and hits kerbs all the time doing 70, massive chunk of tyre missing too, hardly a slow kerbing!
Or he accidentally did it
It’s just a wheel. It’s easy to fix. It’s a car, you shouldn’t stress out about every scratch because it will happen
@@rubberduck3788 never assume you can always ask matt
I kinda prefer the outside look of the audi more but having driven the a45s I can say it's one hell of a machine. And the audi definitely needs to get rid of those Pzeros on rs cars
Why ?
@@TheBroshoes which part?
@@karlleego2513 the pzero part
@@TheBroshoes well as it is a high performance car, better tires would make a measurable difference. Pilot sport 4s or sportcontact 7-s would be a much better fit. Go watch some tire reviews, they make a pretty big difference :)
Agreed, have pzeros on my rs3 saloon 2017 and they suck. Don’t last long. In fact I complained to Pirelli about 2 which were only a year old with 4K on them but already starting to perish on outer edge. To be fair they gave me 50%. The tyres only last about 8k to 10k anyway. Might get Michelins next, but they stated they aren’t compatible, though a lot of people get them
That 5-pot sounds amazing at high revs... Twice the bhp as the old 20v 5 cyl Quattro ('89). I'll have the Audi, please
as someone who actually has driven both, I would take the rs3 any day, its just a feeling a video cant give
Drove both options in USD spec and went with a CLA 35 AMG ( saved $15k over local rates) ... all and all I'm happy it fits what I was looking for ... But I gotta admit you are right quality specially insulation has stepped down a bit in these ...
How much did you pay?
Congrats! It's a sweet ride.
I was looking a new CLA35 but was hard to find in 2022 so ended up getting a CLA45. Dunno why but the 35 sounds very nice compared to my 45 exhaust note
That chunk out of the A45's wheel 😔3:12
lol didn`t notice when it was so zoomed, just in 14:57 :D
Event the T appears to be missing, cheap adhesive maybe? 🤷🏿♂️
@@simphiweradebe2680 what T?
@@xIcarus227 the T alphabet for the turbo on the fender.
@@simphiweradebe2680 hmm haven't noticed they've got any so far.
Perhaps all of them have fallen off LOL.
The a45 amg engine is a master piece...but the audi looks better in my opinion..
A45 AMG also has 481bhp.
@@purwantiallan5089 it doesn't. It has 415bhp.
What? So a junk open deck Merc 4pot known for blowing up is a Masterpiece? Are you for real?
Not in the flesh
@@bigduphusaj162 Known for blowing up lol stop talking utter rubbish you tool
Show me some proof how these are known for blowing up?
RS3 NO DOUBT
YOU ARE DRUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@sebaschacon7728 No you are
@@sebaschacon7728 I've owned both cars, RS3 is better by a long way. You can go back to being a knob end now.
That curb damage at 3:12 really hurt my feelings! It even took a chip out of the tire!
Owned a pre-facelift Audi RS3 (previous model’s pre facelift) and drove it for 25000km. Amazing car and good quality. Now driving a 2020 180d A series Amg-line Mercedes. Interior quality and built quality is terrible compared to Audi. Rough surfaces make the dash and interior make all kinds of squeeky noises and rattles. Nowhere near the Audi’s quality.
What’s even more annoying in the Mercedes is that some of the rattles and squeeks and unsolvable. For example the panels next to where the seatbelt is at, next to your shoulder, there is a rattle all the time and some of the squeeks from the dashboard cannot be removed even though you to try push or tap around the dashboard to make it stop.
I commute a lot so the consumption is good obviously, best I’ve got is 3,5l/100km but the clutch is sooo jerky when leaving from standstill. It almost seems like the clutch is flawed but it’s just a feature of the Renault engine.
This is one your best review, very informative and fun at the same time.
Exactly what I am talking about referencing the new RS3 - while it is better than the previous gens, it still has little power down low. That is my deal breaker. 1500-4000 isn’t great. Sure you can get a fast 60 under hard launches. But street starts 5-60 are WAAAAAAAY slower - I got almost 5 seconds to 60 - vs 3.68 on launch - that tells you way too much lag down low… bummer. It was on my short list - but for $70k no chance - one of my current cars is so fast off the line and no lag I would hate this
What current car, supra?
Going fast is not just about 0-60 runs. Where the RS3 excels is the way it handles through the twisty stuff, so much better than the AMG I owned and stock, my new RS3 was showing 423bhp. Little power low down? Come on buddy, have you even driven one? It launches like a scolded cat!
The Audi RS3 and Audi as a whole is so underrated, Audi RS3👌🏿🔥🔥 Keep the Audi videos coming 😌
How is Audi underrated, the VW group has the biggest fanbase and customer base by far compared to the other 2. Everyone and their mother knows Audis and their reputation.
even though Merc is faster I would pick the Audi as it feels more livable and it is more practical and that 5 cylinder engine is one of a kind
Jesus man, who is doing all that damage to that mercedes's wheels? THEY EVEN CHIPPED OFF A BIT OF THE ACUTAL TIRES!
The video we’ve all been waiting for!🏁
It’s not the first comparison clip he has done, as far as I remember.
Both are amazing cars!!! But we wait for the C43 review 💪🛞
Matt I Iove your simplicity yet incisive critique of the cars you sample. Keep up the brilliant tests!!!
For the past week after seeing The impressive pipes and size of the RS3.., I've been wondering which is the big daddy of the compact section... This should really be a good watch..
Thank you Matty Boi...
So where is the drag race and track test?
Please can u give a review on Kia EV9 when it releases? Please…
Agreed
Yes please!
Awesome idea
Sounds fair enough to me…
I guess it’s up to Carwow now
CARWOW
ITS THE TIME TO WOW US!!!
Great review, Mat. Love you to get hold of the new limited edition, Audi RS3-R ABT.
Mat you and Yianni are my favourite car reviewers and drag racers ever and I love you both so much!
Man’s been hitting the gym💪🏽💪🏽 keep it up Matt!!
I've owned both vehicles. The A45s is really plastic in the cabin, ride can feel a little crashy as a daily, however very fun to drive and the engine is more responsive feels almost like a Go Kart. Also it looks more aggressive and sporty. The RS3 feels more comfortable and solid as a daily although the cabin is cheaper than previous models and lacks any theme considering it is a £60k car. Performance on the RS3 is incredible it is very quick but you can feel a turbo lag at times. I have the RS3 carbon edition and I was disappointed you dont get basics like electric seats, pan roof, and augmented reality Sat Nav all of which you get on the A45 for the same money. The RS3 also looks very similar to the regular A3 aside from the a spoiler and bigger wheels. Its very much muted in terms of the look of the car. Both the RS and A45 dont sound as good as their predecessors but that is expected with todays Government restrictions. Basically if you want fun and tech go for the A45s, if you want comfort, performance and build quality go for the RS3. Another a small note is in all of the RUclips vids the RS3 beats the A45S in drags and 0-60 times. Matts video didnt do the RS justice.
So is it safe to say that the A45 is more value for money?
@@idris_elbow Well, it looks like it is IF you’re after a more aggressive/fun and “techy/showy” car. For all the rest, including the style (in my opinion, and I know that’s a very particular matter), you’d be better off with the RS3, which would be my choice anyway, even if it weren’t for those points. The 5 cyl. alone is more than enough of a reason.
@Joe Joe ... and in English?
I drive same bolth but Audi is more plastic than AMG😂
How much did mercedes pay u to tell the people that the a45 is better than the rs3? I tested both and u are absolutely wrong with almst every of your statements.🤦🏻♂️
Prove that you tested both, post up some video evidence! because i smell BS! You can't even type properly so i suspect you can't even drive, let alone afford either car.
Agreed. I owned the Merc, now have the new RS3. Much better car in a lot of ways.
Driven performance Audis most of my life. Recently changed to performance BMW. However I would choose the Mercedes over the RS3. Better interior, more sporty aggressive drive, but both amazing cars 👍
Yeah Merc is also better looking.
Same!! Couldn’t agree more….. fed up of Audi not fixing basic MMI issues, and cheaper quality compared to only 2-3 yrs ago. They couldn’t care less either. Shame as I wanted the RS3 but used my deposit in the end and went BMW.
What do you do for a living to drive such cars? It has always been interesting to me.
Looks like a ugly gay Honda civic
Wtf is amazing about them? 🤣🤣🤣
I’d take the RS3 purely for the 5 cylinder engine. When (or if) they make a new RS3, i very much doubt it will be a car with a 5 pot engine in it. Such a unique sound compared to anything else on the road.
My 5 litre TVR V8 sounds better and its 25 years old and far cheaper to own !!
6:16 mat's been hitting them curls 🔥🔥
While the A45’s 2.0L feels faster from the factory, consider this.
To get there AMG had to wind it up so far (25psi) that it is highly stressed and can’t be made to go faster.
The RS3 on the other hand, is just as quick yet does it so much easier, and when tuned can keep up with Supercars!!!
Yet I’ve seen remapped ones pushing around 500bhp with a sports cat and remap so not that highly stressed
Not true, I've seen a45s pushing 600 hp no problem at all they come forged from factory
I prefer the RS3 it sounds incredible 😍
It sounds like the Ford RS 2010 the green one I had one of those and I love it only for the sound
These 2 both have a nice new design/look but I will be keeping my 2017 RS3...sounds better and a great drive.
Indeed
Perfect if you love understeer
A45s>>>
@@sylvaind.6786 you act like you're always going to notice it. BMW fanboy spotted.......
You sir, you know what you're talking about. May you be blessed with a wonderful life
@@Tom-js3iz well which brand has the best steering out of the big 3, Amg, Audi, BMW?
4 pot unless flat or V can't sound better than a 5 pot, also as an actual AMG 45s owner are you in a position to really compare the cars unbiasedly ? i'm actually with you the A45s is a dream car for me but the vast majority of comparisons have gone with the latest RS3 in their head to heads
@Mr Sir car journalist would lost all credibility taking money to promote one product over another.
Even their laughable inbuilt BMW bias is mostly built around intangibles for the everyday driver like 1.7 second difference around a Track. That apart journalist are generally on the money when it comes to car reviews, and as such the new RS3 is the better all round car with all things considered in all but Matt's view so far.
I'm a fan of both but er towards the AMG because i just like it, no other reason. But ive driven in the current model A35 and the ride is TRASH GARBAGE by any account (suspension is stone). The RS3 is also weirdly faster in any drag race, like doesn't make sense faster, they should be the same or slightly slower but no. as seen on ALL OTHER reviews. Fact
Stock id go AMG hands down, but as a platform for mods RS3 or even M240i with the B58 six and ZF 8spd.
Recognize the place he was testing those cars. In my village. Chose the right road to test.
Rs3 is the better option. That 4 cylinder in the a45 is already stressed and probably can’t push it much further with bolt ons ,e85 and a tune. You put a simple tune with a downpipe on the rs3 you are already up 150hp and with e85 and other bolt ons over 600bhp. Rs3 also handles better as proved around the Nurburgring
True
The rs3 was actually a long term loaner car that audi gave to shmee150
Really great content Matt! More of these videos please!
The a45 starting with the first one ofc is the best marketing trick Mercedes did, slowly introducing the engine in a base model warming people up to it and putting all their money on this engine developing it because they new one day it would be the only engine that would survive.
A45s For Life 💪🏾🔥 10:52 to 11:01 A45s, top
Got an M140i xdrive. Got to say as a daily its near perfection due to the combination with the B58 and ZF 8 speed.
M240
M140i is an absolute steal. You can get ones for 25k which is preposterous money for the performance you get.
Personally I like the Audi exterior more. More angular, edgy and with more elements that make it interesting to look at. Merc is too smooth and looks like an egg on its side. That front end isn't personally my cup of tea, and exposed intercooler is not a good thing: it'll quickly lose its already-limited ability to cool as it gets peppered by small stones in city traffic.
Performance: much of muchness really. At the light, it may well boil down to who reacts better to the lights changing ;)
Just because Audi seats don't grip you quite as tightly, doesn't mean they are inferior. In terms of size (correct me if I'm wrong) you aren't the biggest guy out there, and Audi seems to cater to a slightly larger bunch of body sizes. People that go to gym or are slightly overweight might well find Audi seats a better option due to Merc seats being too tight for them.
Smooth and simple dash and screen of a Merc vs edgy and almost "Gundam inspired" Audi? Depends on your tastes. I won't comment on that or on which infotainment is better.
I'd choose Audi personally.
Nope.
@@toddaulner5393 wanna elaborate?
You are Audi fan that is no problem 😅
@@supermanlegend7 Just my personal opinion which I've given and provided explanation as to how I formed it.
@@Max_Da_G Yea of course with your monney you will buy the best for you personal i like more Mercedes but all cars is so diferent in style , aspect ,driving every car have god and bad thinks!😎
"who would've thought that 2L 4Cyl engine is better than 2.5L 5Cyl"
That summers why Mercedes is Mercedes.
A45 design is more premium. RS3 looks cheapish like a Hyundai. A45 interior wins handdown.
The rs3 is sexy but it’s the a45s for me
Mat i agree with you in the verdict merc look more beautiful with this amazing grey mat color and i agree with you that merc A45s is more fun driving than the Audi if i asked to choose which car i would buy i will say 100% merc
Good thing no one asked you
I always think audi interior don’t look to good on pictures or videos, until you get behind the wheel in real life. And with mercedes it is the other way around.
I'll take the AMG yes thank you.
Would never buy a German car these day’s, as Mat says at 6:01 the build quality is nowhere near as good as it use to be and from my experience the reliability is bad, and when thing’s go wrong it’s cost a kidney and liver to fix
I think it’s the end of the day it’s personal preference. I drive an Audi RS Q8 and I make sure it had ceramic brakes. The reason is I hate brake dust and dirty wheels. That’s sad, when you invest in a top tier vehicle, unless you’re racing seconds don’t matter. It’s more about the looks.
They are both absolutely brilliant cars in their own way, but it will always be AMG for me! My CLA45s puts a smile on my face whenever I drive it.
But you don't own an RS3 so...
@@fzr1000981 and you don’t own either 🤣
Wrong!
2022 RS3, red in my possession
AMG all day every day. The looks, the feel, the Mercedes... gawd daumn i love that car... Dream car for sure!
Drive the RS3, it's better. I owned the Merc for 2 years, now in RS3 sportback. In the right spec (carbon with rs pack) it makes the Merc look dull.
5 cylinders always sounds better than anything else, so Audi wins.
Same here. Driving a Volvo V70 with the D5 and that 5 cylinder engine sound is very very good.
V8,V10,V12,V16??????????
5 cylinders is great.
All the rest is crap
@@Kolumbo137 **5 cylinders always sounds better than anything else, so Audi wins.**
A45 is a thing of beauty
Both great cars! I prefer the looks of the rs3 and comfort of it but everyone is different if their driving style😊
M2 competition over either of these for sure. Much better build quality too
Considering it’s upcoming horrid design, I’m sure most people will pass on it
@@Mr.S550 apart from the design which is subjective - the BMW will be better in every aspect. Easily.
@@Mr.S550 I should have clarified I meant the f87
Agree. BMWs tend to be a little cheaper as well. But how about their reliability? Seems like Mercedes and AUDI have a better reputation for reliability than BMW.
@@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία Audi for sure not. Can guarantee from personal experience.
I'd love to see a drag race of all Cosworth engines.
RS3 looks much better and more practical. Saloon version is a solid 10 too
Audi looks like shit lol
@@aquaeagle100 don't cry
Which is best?
M3 E46...
Sound - Audi
Overall, Mercedes!
Thanks Matt!
I'll get an A45 for my next car. And tbh most of these hot hatch's are so close now it's the interior that makes the decision for me. Mercedes interior is just so good.
true, congrats for that haha
Buy one now before they go up even more
@@fayahmad9063 They gone up already as I was gonna get one 6 months ago had to settle for A250 4 matic. I'm hoping in 2 years time the nearly new market drops a bit as it was pricey already. I sold my previous Merc for more than I paid!
@@ashleygray1632 yeah I’m looking at a Cla45s on average used ones are going for 58k whilst list is 61 🙃 it’s not stopping anytime soon too. I can’t wait 2 years wish I had the patience like you
@@fayahmad9063 To be fair I am happy with my current A class. But I told my missus I want 1 full on proper track day car once then il switch to electric lol
I've driven the A45S and it's a mad little beast. A shame that Audi didn't use the capacity advantage to get rid of the lag. A smaller turbine with more boost would have helped but the audi engine is probably way cheaper than the AMG...
I think a bit of that is because of emission targets, that Audi looked like it wasn’t going to meet them at one stage but that Merc is still the older emission standards but I do agree for a smaller engine the Merc does brilliant
My neighbour has an A45s and I think it's a junk heap it gets confused on B-roads and I don't care what anyone says these cars don't feel the HP they claim. Off the mark they feel every bit of it but from 70mph onward they aint as fast as older cars with less power. See my neighbour he tried to race a s2000 on the B-roads here (which he knows well) and it spanked him. He admitted it spanked him every bend.
@@bigduphusaj162
Wow a lightweight RWD coupe/cab beat a heavy luxury hatch on a twisty road, what a surprise
@@essayedgar yeah but it's a 20yr old 200bhp sports car mate. You'd think they could beat one of them in a B-road race but they get utterly starched.
@@bigduphusaj162 did you take into consideration the drivers?? Regardless, with pro drivers I doubt the S2k will have the lead regardless of weight. Stock cars ofc
5-cylinders FTW! 💗🤘😎
The A45 is just another 4-cylinder car in a sea of 4-cylinder cars with white noises.
@Erik W queue the "but check out the tuned audi vids" comments
@Erik W held back? That's stupid and untrue. Why hold back when they can add more and then you would tune even more. Yes they tune well but it's not designed to be tuned, please.
@Erik W so they made the car slower to help sales of their other cars? That's sad. Why not make the other cars faster and thiscar faster? Now that would increase sales! Why the heck would I buy a car that's purposely not made to be faster just to tune it.... we are living in clown world I guess
As soon as Matt jumped in Merc, i could see the excitement . Definitely a better one
Your Review is pure Gold. And by the way you picked the right winner.
Sound aside and having owned the RS3, I think the new Merc would be more fun with the 4cyl spool
Two best hot hatches 🔥
Can you compare to them with the Golf R ?
I will choose the RS3 but hatchback
but the AMG 45s is a cool looking car
Don't think there's any point in that comparison, the Golf R is worse in every category except price.
It's simply in a different class.
@@xIcarus227 Not really in the back seats the Golf R is better than the AMG 45s and RS3 and the Golf R have bigger boot
@@ArchiveXDD the boot is just 4L over the A45S which is nothing, and the back seats are actually pretty cramped according to reviews soo..
I'd love to test drive both these cars back to back. I expect it would be tough to choose between them. The price of both is just silly.
As usual Great Job. These are on top of my list of "next car" purchase. Thank you! God's Grace and Peace to You and Yours...