Audi A3 vs Bentley Flying Spur
What's the difference?

Audi A3

$42,999 - $69,990

2025 price

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Bentley Flying Spur

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2024 price

View pricing & specs

Aston Martin Vanquish

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Summary

2025 Audi A3

2024 Bentley Flying Spur

By Chris Thompson

By Stephen Corby

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

V12, 6.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.3L/100km (combined)

14.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

Performance
Luxury interior
Ride comfort

Dislikes

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

Price
Weight
Fuel economy

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.

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2024 Bentley Flying Spur Summary

In any other super car, it would seem deeply strange, wrong even, to loll (and LOL) in the back seats while a colleague blasts you around a race track at insane speeds, and not just because cars with V12 engines making 575kW and 1000Nm don’t normally have more than two seats.

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is, of course, no ordinary car, it is a super sedan, a luxe limousine crossed with a rocket ship, and if Sir wants to get to the rooftop helipad in a spectacular hurry, then these are the back seats to be sitting in.

We flew to Japan, and the spectacular setting of the Magarigawa Club, a members-only race track carved out of the rolling hills outside Tokyo at a rumoured cost of $US2 billion, to try the back seats, and the driver’s seat, of the new and very impressive Flying Spur Speed.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi A3 2024 Bentley Flying Spur

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 Bentley Flying Spur Speed is a whole lot of car, for a whole lot of money. Sure, I’d rather have a Ferrari or a Porsche with similar power (and the Panamera shares the same V8 and hybrid set up), but then if you’re in the market for a Bentley like this you already have a garage full of other options. And I can see why you’d add one of these to your collection. Because you can.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Audi A3 vs Bentley Flying Spur What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A3 vs Bentley Flying Spur
What's the difference?