Verdict
At RM338,990, the Audi A3 Sedan is RM102,000 cheaper, yet retains the same 1,984 cc turbocharged four-cylinder and seven-speed S tronic layout. Its 187 hp, 320 Nm and 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time are plainly less urgent than the A5 Sportback’s 249 hp, 370 Nm and 5.6 seconds, however. The A5 adds all-wheel drive, a 480-litre boot and five-door access, but uses 7.1 L/100 km against 6.2 L/100 km. For Malaysian buyers, the A3 makes the stronger financial case; the A5’s extra spend is for pace, space and hardware.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if RM102,000 saved, 6.2 L/100 km economy and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than outright performance and hatchback practicality.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you want 249 hp, all-wheel drive, a 480-litre five-door boot and stronger driver-assistance hardware.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990.
- Performance: A3 Sedan 187 hp, 320 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; A5 Sportback 249 hp, 370 Nm and 5.6 seconds.
- Driveline: A3 Sedan front-wheel drive; A5 Sportback all-wheel drive.
- Fuel economy: A3 Sedan 6.2 L/100 km; A5 Sportback 7.1 L/100 km.
- Practicality: A3 Sedan has four doors and a 425-litre boot; A5 Sportback has five doors and a 480-litre boot.
- Size: A3 Sedan is 4,495 mm long with a 2,636 mm wheelbase; A5 Sportback is 4,757 mm long with a 2,831 mm wheelbase.
A3 Sedan
- RM102,000 less expensive.
- Better rated economy at 6.2 L/100 km.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.6 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- 425-litre boot is 55 litres smaller.
A5 Sportback
- 249 hp and 370 Nm.
- All-wheel drive and 5.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- 480-litre boot, 40:20:40 rear seats and powered hands-free boot operation.
- Costs RM102,000 more.
- Higher rated consumption of 7.1 L/100 km.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus five years.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM440,990 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372 | RM372 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp at 6,000 rpm | 249 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 370 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9.6 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 6 hp |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 7-speed S tronic |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km✓ | 7.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 163 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,757 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,386 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,831 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,605 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 58 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Passive Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used A3 Sedan & A5 Sportback for sale
A3 Sedan vs A5 Sportback FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Audi A5 Sportback better?
The A3 Sedan is the better buy on price, economy and warranty. The A5 Sportback is better for performance and carrying flexibility, with 249 hp, all-wheel drive, five doors and a 480-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM102,000 more than the Audi A3 Sedan: RM440,990 against RM338,990.
Which Audi has the larger boot?
The Audi A5 Sportback has the larger boot at 480 litres, 55 litres more than the Audi A3 Sedan’s 425 litres. Its five-door body and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats also give it a practical edge.
