Subaru Impreza vs Audi A3
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.
Subaru Impreza
From $36,490
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol I4 Boxer
115kW
7.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
291L
Audi A3
From $54,800
Liftback
Petrol
Petrol MHEV
110kW
5.3 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
380L
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Price Breakdown
The Subaru Impreza starts from $36,490 before on-road costs, while the Audi A3 opens at $54,800. That makes the Subaru Impreza the more affordable entry point by $18,310.
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 $40,139 and $60,280 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi A3 by roughly $3,135 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Subaru Impreza and Audi A3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Subaru Impreza and 86% for the Audi A3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi A3, against 1 on the Subaru Impreza.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Impreza and 6 in the Audi A3.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru Impreza features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Audi A3 gets a 10.1-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The Audi A3 counters with Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Subaru Impreza gets cloth upholstery while the Audi A3 offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Impreza uses a Petrol I4 Boxer producing 115kW and 196Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Audi A3 responds with a Petrol MHEV making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a 7-speed s tronic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds.
The Subaru Impreza has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Impreza measures 4,490mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 138mm longer than the Audi A3 at 4,352mm (2,635mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Impreza generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 291L in the Subaru Impreza and 380L in the Audi A3, giving the Audi A3 a 89L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m 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 $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza and $1,511/year for the Audi A3. That is a $627 annual difference in favour of the Audi A3.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Audi A3 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Subaru Impreza and Audi A3 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Audi A3 will save you roughly $627 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, Subaru Impreza and Audi A3?
The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest at $36,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A3 by $18,310.
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 on crash rating: Subaru Impreza and 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 Audi A3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Impreza makes the most power at 115kW.
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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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