Audi A3 vs Porsche 911
What's the difference?

Audi A3

$42,999 - $69,990

2025 price

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Porsche 911

$299,990 - $548,888

2025 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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Summary

2025 Audi A3

2025 Porsche 911

By Chris Thompson

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Flat Twin Turbo 6, 3.6L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

5.3L/100km (combined)

11.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

Incredible acceleration and agility
Hybrid tech never intrusive nor obvious
Digitalised cabin experience a plus

Dislikes

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

Potent power and can feel less enthralling than ICE
Supercar-level pricing is getting out of control
Road noise slightly impacts daily drivability

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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2025 Porsche 911 Summary

The icon is electric. Well, kind of.

This is the new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, which ushers in a facelift for the brand’s most famous model — and it’s one that introduces a pretty major change.

That faint whistling you hear is most likely the distant wails of the Porsche purists, because this new 911 is now a hybrid.

Yes, the Carrera GTS features Porsche’s clever T-Hybrid engine, which is the brand’s take on electrifying the world’s most famous sports car.

It’s faster than the model it replaces, but it also fundamentally alters the formula that has made the 911 the world’s most iconic sports car.

The question is, does it alter it for the better?

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi A3 2025 Porsche 911

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 more things change, the more they stay the same. The t-hybrid might be an entirely new propulsion system for the 911, but the net result is unchanged – power, poise and performance on tap.

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

Audi A3 vs Porsche 911 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A3 vs Porsche 911
What's the difference?