Verdict
The Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990 against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan’s RM238,888, a RM100,102 jump for 187 hp, 320 Nm and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 161 hp, 270 Nm and 8.3 seconds. It also brings a multi-link rear suspension, rear air vents and navigation. But the Mercedes is 150 kg lighter, has a 93 mm longer wheelbase, seven airbags and active safety kit including Active Brake Assist and blind-spot monitoring. For most Malaysian buyers, the A-Class Sedan is the rational buy; the A3 Sedan is for those who will use its stronger performance and extra rear-suspension sophistication.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if 187 hp, 320 Nm, a 7.3-second century sprint and multi-link rear suspension matter more than saving RM100,102.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if you want the lower entry price, a 2,729 mm wheelbase and active safety features including Active Brake Assist.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888.
- Performance: Audi 187 hp and 320 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; Mercedes 161 hp and 270 Nm, 8.3 seconds.
- Wheelbase: Audi 2,636 mm; Mercedes 2,729 mm.
- Kerb weight: Audi 1,535 kg; Mercedes 1,385 kg.
- Rear suspension: Audi multi-link; Mercedes torsion beam.
- Airbags: Audi six; Mercedes seven.
A3 Sedan
- 187 hp and 320 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.
- Multi-link rear suspension and 225/45R17 tyres.
- Rear air vents, built-in navigation and a space-saver spare tyre.
- RM100,102 more expensive.
- Shorter 2,636 mm wheelbase than the Mercedes’ 2,729 mm.
- Six airbags and no blind-spot monitoring, Active Brake Assist or Active Parking Assist.
A-Class Sedan
- RM100,102 cheaper and 150 kg lighter.
- Seven airbags, Active Brake Assist and blind-spot monitoring.
- Longer 2,729 mm wheelbase plus Active Parking Assist.
- Slower 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time with 161 hp and 270 Nm.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension instead of the Audi’s multi-link setup.
- No rear air vents or built-in navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990 | RM238,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 270 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 8.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,549 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Comfort Lowered Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, Front and Rear 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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 | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Active Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | No |
| 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 Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 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 & A-Class Sedan for sale
A3 Sedan vs A-Class Sedan FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan better?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is the better buy for most buyers because it costs far less while adding seven airbags, Active Brake Assist and a longer wheelbase. Choose the Audi A3 Sedan for its materially stronger 187 hp/320 Nm drivetrain and multi-link rear suspension.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A3 Sedan costs RM100,102 more than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan.
Which is faster, the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan?
The Audi A3 Sedan is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 8.3 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan. Its 187 hp and 320 Nm also exceed the Mercedes’ 161 hp and 270 Nm.
