Verdict
At RM338,990, the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM52,745 more than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, yet the Subaru brings 271 hp, 375 Nm and all-wheel drive against 187 hp, 320 Nm and front-wheel drive. It also has a 63-litre tank and 18-inch tyres. The Audi answers with a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h claim, rated 6.2 L/100 km consumption, a 425-litre boot and RM372 annual road tax versus RM767. For Malaysian commuting, its 7-speed dual-clutch, power front seats and rear air vents matter; the WRX manual is the driver’s choice.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want lower RM372 annual road tax, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and more everyday cabin convenience.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual for RM52,745 less.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power and torque: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp and 320 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Audi A3 Sedan front-wheel drive with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with 6-speed manual.
- Annual road tax: Audi A3 Sedan RM372; Subaru WRX RM767.
- Boot and fuel tank: Audi A3 Sedan 425 litres and 51 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres and 63 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Audi A3 Sedan 17-inch wheels with 225/45R17 tyres; Subaru WRX 18-inch wheels with 245/40R18 tyres.
A3 Sedan
- Rated 6.2 L/100 km fuel consumption
- Power front seats with driver memory and rear air vents
- 425-litre boot and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail the WRX's 271 hp and 375 Nm
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- RM52,745 pricier with a smaller 51-litre fuel tank
WRX
- 271 hp, 375 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Six-speed manual gearbox
- Seven airbags and 18-inch wheels
- RM767 annual road tax versus RM372
- Manual front seats and no rear air vents
- 411-litre boot is smaller, and the warranty is capped at 100,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp at 6,000 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map 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 | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 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 & WRX for sale
A3 Sedan vs WRX FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Subaru WRX better?
The WRX is the stronger driver-focused choice with 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. The A3 Sedan suits commuting better with its dual-clutch automatic, lower road tax, rated 6.2 L/100 km economy and more cabin convenience.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A3 Sedan costs RM52,745 more than the Subaru WRX.
Which has the better ownership cover?
The Audi A3 Sedan has a five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty. The Subaru WRX also has five years of cover, but it is limited to 100,000 km.
