Audi A3 vs Suzuki Swift
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks 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 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 A3 starts from $36,200 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Swift opens at $16,990. That makes the Suzuki Swift the more affordable entry point by $19,210.
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 $39,820 and $18,689 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki Swift by roughly $1,710 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.
Drivetrain
The Audi A3 lines up producing 75kW and 148Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed dual-clutch (s tronic) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12 seconds.
The Suzuki Swift responds with a Petrol making 70kW and 130Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual driving the front wheels.
The Audi A3 has the clear power advantage at 75kW vs 70kW. 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.
9.6m diameter
Excellent
Based on 9.6m 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.
Excellent
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 8.4 m of road; you have 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 $1,910/year for the Audi A3 and $1,568/year for the Suzuki Swift. That is a $342 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki Swift.
Estimated annual total: $1,910 (Audi A3) vs $1,568 (Suzuki Swift). The Suzuki Swift saves you roughly $342 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki Swift if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Suzuki Swift takes 2 of 3 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Suzuki Swift will save you roughly $342 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 A3 and Suzuki Swift?
The Suzuki Swift is the cheapest at $16,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A3 by $19,210.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki Swift uses the least fuel at 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Suzuki Swift all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi A3 makes the most power at 75kW.
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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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