Audi A3 vs Toyota Yaris Cross

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Audi A3 at 5 stars (2025) and the Toyota Yaris Cross at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2021). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the Audi A3 and 86% for the Toyota Yaris Cross, under different test years.

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 Toyota Yaris Cross.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Audi A3 and 8 in the Toyota Yaris Cross.

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 Toyota Yaris Cross gets a 8-inch display and 7-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 Toyota Yaris Cross. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

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

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 Toyota Yaris Cross responds with a 1.5L 3-cyl Hybrid making 85kW and 120Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.8 seconds.

The Audi A3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 85kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi A3 is 1.7s 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, 172mm longer than the Toyota Yaris Cross at 4,180mm (2,560mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A3 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 380L in the Audi A3 and 390L in the Toyota Yaris Cross, giving the Toyota Yaris Cross a 10L advantage.

For towing, the Audi A3 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 400kg. That 800kg 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); 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 fuel for the Toyota Yaris Cross about $1,083 a year (3.8 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $428 a year less for the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi A3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Yaris Cross).

Where each one leads

The Audi A3: more power (110kW against 85kW) and the higher braked towing limit (1,200kg against 400kg).

The Toyota Yaris Cross: the lower starting price ($31,790 against $54,800), the bigger boot with the seats up (390L against 380L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,083 a year against $1,511).

The Verdict

Toyota Yaris Cross scores higher, 77 vs 75

The Toyota Yaris Cross scores 77 to the Audi A3's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Audi A3 ahead by 18 points), technology (Audi A3 ahead by 13 points), fuel economy (Toyota Yaris Cross ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Yaris Cross costs about $428 less (3.8 L/100km against 5.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions