Audi A3 vs Kia Stonic

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Kia Stonic a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Audi A3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Stonic gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Audi A3 stands out with wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Stonic. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Audi A3 gets leather upholstery while the Kia Stonic offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Audi A3 and 1-zone in the Kia Stonic.

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 Kia Stonic responds with a Petrol making 88kW and 172Nm, paired to a 7-speed dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.

The Audi A3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 88kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi A3 is 3.1s quicker. 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, 187mm longer than the Kia Stonic at 4,165mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A3 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 380L in the Audi A3 and 352L in the Kia Stonic, giving the Audi A3 a 28L advantage.

For towing, the Audi A3 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia Stonic's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 10.4 m against 10.6 m 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 fuel for the Kia Stonic about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $86 a year less for the Kia Stonic.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi A3) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Stonic).

Where each one leads

The Audi A3: more power (110kW against 88kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (380L against 352L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,200kg against 900kg).

The Kia Stonic: the lower starting price ($26,990 against $54,800), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $1,511).

The Verdict

Audi A3 scores higher, 75 vs 72

The Audi A3 scores 75 to the Kia Stonic's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 7 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Audi A3 ahead by 25 points), performance (Audi A3 ahead by 20 points), value (Kia Stonic ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Kia Stonic costs about $86 less (5 L/100km against 5.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Warranty: 5 years on the Audi A3, 7 on the Kia Stonic.

Common questions