Audi A3 vs Lexus ES
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.
Price Breakdown
The Audi A3 starts from $54,800 before on-road costs, while the Lexus ES opens at $73,900. That makes the Audi A3 the more affordable entry point by $19,100.
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 $60,280 and $81,290 respectively.
Safety Rundown
Both the Audi A3 and Lexus ES hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the Audi A3 and 95% for the Lexus ES.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 7 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Audi A3 and 8 in the Lexus ES. The Lexus ES adds a 360-degree camera that the Audi A3 misses.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the Lexus ES gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus ES counters with head-up display, wireless charging and panoramic roof that the Audi A3 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Lexus ES responds with a Hybrid making 160kW and 221Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Lexus ES has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Audi A3 is 0.8s 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, 623mm shorter than the Lexus ES at 4,975mm (2,870mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 325L in the Audi A3 and 473L in the Lexus ES, giving the Lexus ES a 148L advantage.
For towing, the Audi A3 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.4m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,511/year for the Audi A3 and $1,511/year for the Lexus ES.
Estimated annual total: $1,511 (Audi A3) vs $1,511 (Lexus ES). Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A3) vs 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus ES). The Audi A3 has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus ES).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A3 if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus ES if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Audi A3 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Lexus ES has a clear edge. The Audi A3 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A3 and Lexus ES?
The Audi A3 is the cheapest at $54,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $19,100.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A3 uses the least fuel at 5.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Audi A3 and Lexus ES all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 473L.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Audi A3 has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus ES makes the most power at 160kW. The Audi A3 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
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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