Audi A3 vs Hyundai Inster
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Level at 75: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 11 Nov 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
Audi A3
20 of 27 standard · 1 not offered · 6 no dataFrom
$54,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Liftback
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol MHEV
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 5.3 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 380L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Hyundai Inster
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 not offered · 10 no dataFrom
$37,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 71.1kW
- Energy use
- 14 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 280L
Hyundai Australia offer: $35,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Drive-away
Ends 31 Dec 2026
Manufacturer's terms: While stock lasts. Not available to fleet, government or rental buyers, or with other offers.
Offer from Hyundai Australia, checked 11 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$54,800RRP
- with the Hyundai Inster's standard kit: $54,800 (nothing to add)
$37,500RRP
- cannot be matched: Heated Front Seats not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Audi A3 35 TFSI S line Sportback
$54,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $230 a week in repayments ($54,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Hyundai Inster Standard Range
$37,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $150 a week in repayments ($37,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Hyundai Inster starts $17,300 lower on RRP.
The Hyundai Inster currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Audi A3 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$150/wk(≈$651/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Inster at $37,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai InsterDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
The Audi A3 has the higher ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2025) against 4 stars (2025), both tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the Audi A3 and 70% for the Hyundai Inster.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi A3, against 5 on the Hyundai Inster.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Audi A3 and 5 on the Hyundai Inster.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi A3
- REC-005771 · published 12 Sep 2023Due to an installation defect, the internal fuse box wiring harness may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- REC-000030 · published 5 Nov 2020Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2011 - 2012
- REC-000031 · published 6 May 2020Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmissions pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2007 - 2016
- 6 more on the model page.
Hyundai Inster
- REC-006635 · published 18 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the shaft in the three-way valve may break and lead to a coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006394 · published 30 Jul 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the retaining studs under the driver’s seat may not have a safety sealing cap installed during assembly.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
42kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 120kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 120kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Inster gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Inster. The Hyundai Inster counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A3 gets leather upholstery while the Hyundai Inster offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Audi A3 and 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi A3 uses a Petrol MHEV producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Hyundai Inster responds with a Electric making 71.1kW and 147Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the front wheels.
The Audi A3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 71.1kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi A3 measures 4,352mm long on a 2,635mm wheelbase, 527mm longer than the Hyundai Inster at 3,825mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 380L in the Audi A3 and 280L in the Hyundai Inster, giving the Audi A3 a 100L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); both turn in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Audi A3 costs about $1,511 a year (5.3 L/100km) and electricity for the Hyundai Inster about $672 a year (14 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi A3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Inster).
Where each one leads
The Audi A3: more power (110kW against 71.1kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (380L against 280L).
The Hyundai Inster: the lower starting price ($37,500 against $54,800).
The Verdict
Level at 75: here's what splits them
The Audi A3 and Hyundai Inster are level on the CarSorted Score at 75 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: performance (Audi A3 ahead by 15 points), safety (Audi A3 ahead by 12 points), technology (Hyundai Inster ahead by 9 points). Boot space with the seats up: 380L in the Audi A3, 280L in the Hyundai Inster.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$150/wk(≈$651/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Inster at $37,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai InsterDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A3 and Hyundai Inster?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A3 by $17,300.
Which is safest?
The Audi A3 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars (2025).
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A3 has the largest boot at 380L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi A3 makes the most power at 110kW.
Track the Audi A3 & Hyundai Inster
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
