(By Tom Lohnes) – The Audi RS3 is a monster. With over 400 horses on tap from a turbocharged 5-cylinder, the RS3 really takes the VW Golf platform to the limits of its factory performance. Audi has refreshed the RS3 for 2022, and it seems like they kept a pretty good price on it too.

Starting at $59,995, the RS3 definitely is not cheap for such a small vehicle, but when viewed as the performance beast that it is, it starts to make a bit more sense. With the aforementioned 5-cylinder, Audi has tuned this 2.5-liter unit for the new RS3 up to 401 horsepower for American-spec cars, and 394 for the particulate filter-equipped euro-spec vehicles. Paired with a quick 8-speed dual-clutch auto and Audi’s world famous Quattro All-wheel-drive system, and you have quite the vehicle for just under $60k. Also, for $450 more, you can get this tiny little sedan with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires, which is about as aggressive as you can get on a road car. Of course, you can also spruce up your RS3 inside and out with a bit more cash, but you only need  $60,445 for the highest-performing version. Nice.

So, what else can you get for this price? Well, if you manage to find one, an absolute base-spec C8 Corvette, but that would probably have to be a special order, and take a few years to get here. On the topic of sedans, Lexus offers you the IS 500 F-sport Performance, which is essentially Lexus’ take on an old AMG Mercedes, and Audi also offers their own S4 for that price. Besides those three, there isn’t much to argue for the price.

Although it is a lot of money, Audi is doing a great job reviving their dying RS brand in the U.S. I really hope we can get the hatchback version of the RS3 soon, and an RS4 Avant wagon wouldn’t hurt while you’re at it. All I have to do now is start saving.