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Audi A3 Sportback vs Subaru Forester comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 136 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 34,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Subaru Forester?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Subaru Forester: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably cheaper
  • significantly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • markedly lighter
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Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

A3 Sportback

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Audi A3 Sportback is noticeably cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Subaru Forester costs 34,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,705 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.1 L/100km. The difference is about 7 L/100km.

Forester

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Audi A3 Sportback offers significantly more power – delivering 400 HP compared to 136 HP. That’s roughly 264 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Subaru Forester takes 12.2 s. That’s about 8.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Audi A3 Sportback delivers clearly more torque with 500 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 318 Nm more.

A3 Sportback

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is markedly lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,693 kg. The difference is around 333 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Subaru Forester offers noticeably more boot space – 508 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 128 L.

When it comes to payload, the Subaru Forester carries barely more – 492 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 12 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Audi A3 Sportback holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £27,000
A3 Sportback

Audi A3 Sportback

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 400 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 134 - 141 km
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Audi A3 Sportback

The Audi A3 Sportback wraps premium materials and crisp German design into a practical hatchback package that makes daily driving feel smart rather than showy. It’s nimble in the city, composed on longer trips, and carries just enough swagger to satisfy buyers who want quality without shouting about it.

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Reviews Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a practical all-rounder that quietly does everything right, with roomy comfort, excellent visibility and a real fondness for weekend adventures off the beaten path. It won't set your pulse racing like a sports car, but for buyers who prize reliability, safety and sensible charm, it's a brilliantly steady companion with a cheeky streak.

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Reviews Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
Dirk
8 Dec 2025, 17:00:06

It's indeed much more expensive, but it drives brilliantly. I have the automatic — fantastic. It's a bit noisy for such an expensive car, and servicing at a Subaru dealer isn't cheap. It's certainly not economical.

On the other hand, very little breaks and it will never leave you stranded. And that space... 500 litres more is really about a 40% increase.

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Audi A3 Sportback
Subaru Forester

Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
34,700 - 42,200 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
183 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
1,693 - 1,739 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
508 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,830 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
446 - 492 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
136 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
182 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
100 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Audi
Brand
Subaru
What drive types are available for the Audi A3 Sportback?

The Audi A3 Sportback is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.