Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Audi RS 3

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the RS 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the RS 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the RS 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Ford dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 49 more horsepower (450 vs. 401) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 69 more horsepower (470 vs. 401) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RS 3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (15.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (16 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the RS 3.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the RS 3:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RS 3 (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:265/30R19 & R:245/35R19).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RS 3’s 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RS 3’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package/Mach 1) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the RS 3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Mustang has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RS 3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the RS 3 (107.1 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 5.1 inches wider in the rear than on the RS 3.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the RS 3 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (36.5 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The Mustang w/20” tires’ turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (40 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RS 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RS 3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more front legroom and 1.5 inches more front shoulder room than the RS 3.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the RS 3 (13.5 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The RS 3 has no towing capacity.

The engine in the Mustang is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RS 3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Mustang Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RS 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The RS 3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The RS 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Audi RS 3 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The RS 3 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 10% during the 2022 model year.