Audi A1 vs Audi A3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi A1
From $51,500
Liftback
Petrol
Petrol
152kW
5.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
335L
Audi A3
$36,200 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Hatchback
Petrol
—
75kW
6.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Audi A3: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 5 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi A1 starts from $51,500 before on-road costs, while the Audi A3 opens at $36,200. That makes the Audi A3 the more affordable entry point by $15,300.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $56,650 and $39,820 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi A1 by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Audi A1 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, heated front seats, power tailgate, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Audi A3. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi A1 uses a Petrol producing 152kW and 320Nm of torque, sent through a s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds.
The Audi A3 lines up making 75kW and 148Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch (s tronic) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12 seconds.
The Audi A1 has the clear power advantage at 152kW vs 75kW. In the real-world sprint, the Audi A1 is 5.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.5 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.7 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,682/year for the Audi A1 and $1,910/year for the Audi A3. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Audi A1.
Estimated annual total: $1,682 (Audi A1) vs $1,910 (Audi A3). The Audi A1 saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A1 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Audi A3 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Audi A1 takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Audi A1 will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A1 and Audi A3?
The Audi A3 is the cheapest at $36,200 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A1 by $15,300.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A1 uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi A1 and Audi A3 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi A1 makes the most power at 152kW. The Audi A1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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