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Audi A3 vs Volvo S60

What's the difference?

VS
Audi A3
Audi A3

$34,977 - $57,288

2022 price

Volvo S60
Volvo S60

$44,888 - $55,965

2020 price

Summary

2022 Audi A3
2020 Volvo S60
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

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

7.3L/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

  • Not as fun as some
  • Ownership
  • Real world fuel use question marks
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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2020 Volvo S60 Summary

The Volvo S60 may not be the first luxury sedan that comes to people’s minds when they’re looking to get into a new car… wait, wait - it may not have been. Now it will be.

That’s because this is the Volvo S60 2020 model, which is all new from the ground up. It’s striking to look at, svelte inside, and smartly priced and packaged.

So, what’s not to like? If I’m honest, the list is short. Read on to find out more.

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Deep dive comparison

2022 Audi A3 2020 Volvo S60

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