Audi A3 vs Toyota Fortuner
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi A3 starts from $54,800 before on-road costs, while the Toyota Fortuner opens at $53,775. That makes the Toyota Fortuner the more affordable entry point by $1,025.
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 $59,153 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi A3 by roughly $3,705 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
The Audi A3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Fortuner 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 heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Toyota Fortuner. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A3 gets leather upholstery while the Toyota Fortuner offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Audi A3 and 1-zone in the Toyota Fortuner.
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 8.4 seconds.
The Toyota Fortuner responds with a Diesel making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Toyota Fortuner has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Audi A3 is 1.1s 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, 443mm shorter than the Toyota Fortuner at 4,795mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Fortuner generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 380L in the Audi A3 and 200L in the Toyota Fortuner, giving the Audi A3 a 180L advantage. The Toyota Fortuner seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Toyota Fortuner leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 1,900kg 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 11.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,425/year for the Audi A3 and $2,166/year for the Toyota Fortuner. That is a $741 annual difference in favour of the Audi A3.
Estimated annual total: $1,425 (Audi A3) vs $2,166 (Toyota Fortuner). The Audi A3 saves you roughly $741 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Fortuner). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A3 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Fortuner if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Audi A3 and Toyota Fortuner trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Audi A3 will save you roughly $741 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Audi A3 has a clear edge. 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 Toyota Fortuner?
The Toyota Fortuner is the cheapest at $53,775 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A3 by $1,025.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A3 uses the least fuel at 5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Audi A3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A3 has the largest boot at 380L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Fortuner has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Fortuner makes the most power at 150kW. The Audi A3 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.4s.
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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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