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Audi A3 vs Hyundai Elantra

What's the difference?

VS
Audi A3
Audi A3

$34,977 - $57,288

2022 price

Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra

$18,888 - $32,987

2019 price

Summary

2022 Audi A3
2019 Hyundai Elantra
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.5L

Inline 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
4.9L/100km (combined)

7.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Mild-hybrid interesting, but not a game-changer
  • Active cruise extra cost in premium version. Should be standard
  • Sportback looks don’t flatter the car

  • Optional safety on Go & Active
  • No radar safety on Sport
  • Polarising looks
2022 Audi A3 Summary

If it was the original BMW 3-Series that invented the compact luxury car market segment all those years ago, then it’s probably fair to claim it was Audi’s A3 franchise that gave rise to the luxury small-hatch category.

On that basis, any new Audi A3 is news but, in the face of the SUV onslaught (including its own stablemate the Q3) the new small Audi has its work cut out for it.

With this update, there’s refreshed styling, a new interior layout and, for the launch of the new cars, two body styles, a conventionally styled sedan and what Audi calls the Sportback; fundamentally a five-door hatchback but with the German brand’s own flair plastered all over it.

As well as new connectivity and safety tech, the big news is the availability of a mild-hybrid driveline as well as a second powertrain option with more performance from a more conventional layout.

Interestingly, it’s that (mild) hybrid version of the A3 that represents the entry-level variant of the A3. A sign of the times? Perhaps.

As well as the two powertrains, there are two distinct chassis layouts, starting with a front-drive set-up and extending to the option of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

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2019 Hyundai Elantra Summary

Is there a place for the humble sedan in 2019?

Hyundai seems to think so. And so for 2019 it has overhauled its Elantra range, with a polarising new look and interesting new trim levels.

Is the price right to push the Elantra to the forefront, though? Or is the i30’s less-famous sedan sibling destined to be overlooked?

We’ve spent some time in each of the Elantra’s four variants over the past few months to find out. Read on to see what’s what, and which one is our pick of the range.

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Deep dive comparison

2022 Audi A3 2019 Hyundai Elantra

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