Audi A3 vs Audi A8
What's the difference?

Audi A3

$42,999 - $69,990

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Audi A8

—

2023 price

View pricing & specs

Aston Martin Vanquish

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Summary

2025 Audi A3

2023 Audi A8

By Chris Thompson

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Diesel/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

5.3L/100km (combined)

5.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Premium style and feel
Capable and flexible on-road
Value against rivals

Refinement
Quality
Value

Dislikes

Ride is a bit stiff
Back seat is tight
Lacks some modern features

Big turning circle
No folding rear seat
No front door bottle slots

2025 Audi A3 Summary

Can a hatchback still be a fun and fashionable way to get around when the SUV has become such a status trend?

The facelifted Audi A3 certainly makes a case for it.

The refreshed 2025 A3 is, as Audi puts it, more competitive than before when it comes to not only value but also, you might agree, style.

Last year, before the update even arrived, the A3 sold almost as well as its Volkswagen Golf corporate sibling. In fact, it’s Audi’s third most popular model behind the Q3 and Q5 SUVs.

It’s also third in its segment of ‘Small cars under $40,000’, behind only the MG4 electric car and, you guessed it, the VW Golf.

As such, it also outsells its actual closest rivals the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, both of which are close to the A3 on price.

Now that it’s been given a bit more razzle dazzle, let’s see if the A3 can keep that momentum going.

View full pricing & specs

2023 Audi A8 Summary

Audi’s flagship is the A8, a long, luxurious sedan where being driven is often as important as doing the driving.

To put this ultra-premium machine in context, it competes with other German heavyweights like BMW’s 7 Series and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Porsche’s Panamera. Not to mention the Lexus LS or Maserati’s Quattroporte.

What’s life like at the top of the Audi pyramid? Stay with us to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi A3 2023 Audi A8

Verdict

Closing in on $60,000 for a small car isn’t cheap. Ask a car dealer and they might even say the hatchback is a good way to get someone into a showroom to eventually look at an SUV.

But I reckon you’d be doing the A3 a disservice to count it out. It’s always been one of those cars that does everything well, and with this current facelift manages to keep its practicality without becoming boring.

It looks good on the outside, it’s smart on the inside and it’s fun to drive while remaining sensible. Even if you get it in bright yellow.

Verdict

The Audi A8 swims in a luxury car shark tank where those paying the big dollars expect top-shelf everything. It delivers a serene driving experience whether you’re in the front or the back, in a superbly engineered and executed luxury sedan package. Not perfect, but very, very impressive.

Audi A3 vs Audi A8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A3 vs Audi A8
What's the difference?