Even though these cars may seem similar when it comes to straight line performance, they also happen to be in completely separate weight classes while belonging to two completely different segments.
As you know, the Porsche Macan is a premium compact SUV (some might even call it a luxury product), whereas the Audi Q3 is a small SUV (or sub-compact), though still premium. The price gap between the two is also pretty darn big.
If we’re talking entry-level models, in the UK for example the Audi Q3 stars off at £25,650 while the Porsche Macan costs upwards of £43,553 and that’s a rather large gap.
Top of the line versions like the RS Q3 and the Macan Turbo cost £45,810 and £62,540 respectively which is more than just a different ballpark. Porsche buyers would hardly ever consider buying the smallest of Audi’s Q cars, whereas the Audi Q3 customers would generally need to weigh down their pockets significantly in order to become Porsche owners.
It’s not that hard to consider the RS Q3 as being overpriced. Sticking with the UK, it costs about the same as a Macan S which comes with nearly identical power and torque outputs. Sure, it’s a bit slower but you get a lot more car for your money.
When it comes to the RS Q3, you’re basically being charged for the on-road performance and not necessarily for the engine or the specs. The car is 210 kg (462 lbs) lighter than the Macan Turbo and that shows in a straight line. On paper, they’ll both hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, but beyond that, well, you’ll have to watch the video to see what happens.
Also, as much as we love their channel when it comes to what goes on on the drag strip, these guys actually performed the 0-200 km/h drag race between the Macan Turbo and the RS Q3 on public roads, and that’s not exactly OK.
Other than that, the footage is pretty spectacular and there are subtitles for those who aren’t fluent in Russian.