Compare the2025 Acura TLXVS 2024 Audi RS 3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi RS 3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The TLX Type S has a standard Surround View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RS 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The TLX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the RS 3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the TLX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the RS 3.

The TLX’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 TLX and the RS 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the RS 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the RS 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

On the EPA test cycle the TLX gets better mileage than the RS 3:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RS 3 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura TLX higher (4 to 6 out of 10) than the Audi RS 3 (3). This means the TLX produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RS 3 every 15,000 miles.

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

The TLX stops shorter than the RS 3:

For better traction and acceleration, the TLX has larger rear tires than the RS 3 (255/35R20 vs. 245/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX Type S has standard 20-inch wheels. The RS 3’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RS 3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The TLX 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 TLX’s wheelbase is 9.4 inches longer than on the RS 3 (113 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than on the RS 3.

The TLX Type S handles at .96 G’s, while the RS 3 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TLX 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.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the TLX a Compact car, while the RS 3 is rated a Subcompact.

The TLX has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 3 (93.4 vs. 87).

The TLX has .7 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 3.

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

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The RS 3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The TLX 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 TLX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Both the Acura TLX and Audi RS 3 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The TLX offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the RS 3’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the TLX A-Spec/Type S 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 TLX’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 TLX is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $5345 to $6985 less than the RS 3 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura TLX will be $9251 to $29148 less than for the Audi RS 3.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura TLX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Acura TLX outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 23% during 2023.