Audi S3 vs Hyundai Ioniq
What's the difference?

Audi S3

$73,980 - $98,888

2025 price

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Hyundai Ioniq

$19,395 - $42,950

2021 price

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Aston Martin Vanquish

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA250

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 S3

2021 Hyundai Ioniq

By Emily Agar

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Electric motor type

—

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

—

Fuel Efficiency

7.9L/100km (combined)

Electric range

—

Energy consumption

—

Battery capacity

—

Seating

Likes

Athletic and sporty in all the right places
Improved engine outputs
Gorgeous cabin space

Well-tuned electric drive
Range is about right
Excellent energy consumption

Dislikes

Tiny back seat
Missing some premium features
Lots of road noise

Feels very heavy
Design won't be for everyone
Still a little too pricey for mass adoption

2025 Audi S3 Summary

In a world where car upgrades often feel like saying, “Can I upsize that?”, it’s refreshing to hop into the updated Audi S3 Sportback.

The flagship RS 3 may still be the holy grail of hot hatch dreams, but with boosted engine outputs and upgraded tech, the S3 is stepping up.

Is the S3 Sportback the smarter pick over pricier rivals? It delivers serious performance and polish without stretching into RS 3 territory. With fierce competition in the segment, let’s see what this contender brings to the table.

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2021 Hyundai Ioniq Summary

Hyundai's Ioniq range is nothing if not a flex in the face of Toyota.

Sure, Toyota has a dominating position in the Australian market, with its well-received range of hybrid models, but what happens after hybrid? Hyundai takes on the blocky Prius formula with not only a directly competing hybrid model, but a plug-in and a fully electric version, too.

This expansive range is as though Hyundai is trying to demonstrate it's ready for any future, near or far, and guess what, Toyota? Anything you can do; the Korean juggernaut thinks it can do better.

These cars aren't really designed to sell so much as they are offerings for early adopters, but a few years after its launch, with a host of rivals set to take it on, and an entire sub-brand based on the Ioniq just around the corner, is Hyundai's top-spec Ioniq electric worth a look? I took one for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi S3 2021 Hyundai Ioniq

Verdict

The updated Audi S3 Sportback is a fun-sized dynamo with impressive outputs and athletic road manners. It’s missing a few premium features, but its compact size paired with a gutsy engine makes it a compelling option for drivers who don’t want to compromise on performance (just space).

Verdict

Just like the Kona EV, Hyundai's Ioniq is still one of the best EV options on the market today. It strikes an excellent balance by offering significantly more range and better energy consumption than the more affordable Nissan Leaf or MG ZS EV, while providing the familiarity of the Hyundai spec and drive experience at a price only a little higher than a top-spec Prius.

Its relatively high score is a product of these factors, but also the way in which its interactivity offers the early adopters the engagement they will be searching for.

Audi S3 vs Hyundai Ioniq What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi S3 vs Hyundai Ioniq
What's the difference?