Audi RS3 vs HSV Senator
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
HSV Senator: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 8 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.
$101,515RRP
- with the HSV Senator's standard kit: $101,515 (nothing to add)
$83,990RRP
- with the Audi RS3's standard kit: $83,990 (nothing to add; 11 with no data, not charged)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi RS3 starts from $101,515 before on-road costs, while the HSV Senator opens at $83,990. That makes the HSV Senator the more affordable entry point by $17,525.
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 $111,667 and $92,389 respectively.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Audi RS3
None open on our record
HSV Senator
None open 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 RS3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the HSV Senator gets a 8-inch display.
The Audi RS3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Sonos 3D Premium audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the HSV Senator. The HSV Senator counters with BOSE audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi RS3 gets nappa leather upholstery while the HSV Senator offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Audi RS3 uses a 5-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection, turbocharging producing 294kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
The HSV Senator lines up making 340kW and 570Nm, paired to a tr6060 tremec 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels.
The HSV Senator has the clear power advantage at 340kW vs 294kW. 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.
11.1m diameter
Average
Based on 11.1m 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.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 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
1.9 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi RS3 if: You or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the HSV Senator if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer HSV's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Audi RS3: Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 52
The Audi RS3 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (65 vs 52), taking 0 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Audi RS3 ahead by 32), reliability (Audi RS3 ahead by 27), performance (Audi RS3 ahead by 23). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi RS3 and HSV Senator?
The HSV Senator is the cheapest at $83,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi RS3 by $17,525.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi RS3 uses the least fuel at 8.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi RS3 and HSV Senator carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi RS3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,900kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The HSV Senator makes the most power at 340kW.
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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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