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Audi A3 Sportback vs Volvo EC40 comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 442 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 46,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Volvo EC40?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Volvo EC40: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • considerably lighter
details

Volvo EC40

4.9 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • marginally more power
  • substantially more electric range
  • very slightly more trunk space
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

A3 Sportback

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Audi A3 Sportback is clearly cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Volvo EC40 costs 46,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 19,534 £.

As for electric range, the Volvo EC40 offers substantially more range – reaching up to 585 km, about 444 km more than the Audi A3 Sportback.

EC40

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Volvo EC40 offers marginally more power – delivering 442 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 42 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Volvo EC40 takes 4.6 s. That’s about 0.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Volvo EC40 delivers noticeably more torque with 670 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 170 Nm more.

A3 Sportback

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is considerably lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 2,065 kg. The difference is around 705 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Volvo EC40 offers very slightly more boot space – 404 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 24 L.

When it comes to payload, the Audi A3 Sportback carries only slightly more – 480 kg compared to 435 kg. That’s a difference of about 45 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Volvo EC40 stands well ahead of its rival 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 £46,500
EC40

Volvo EC40

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 238 - 442 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 16.2 - 17.3 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 486 - 585 km
Audi A3 Sportback
Volvo EC40

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.

details

Volvo EC40

The Volvo EC40 feels like a polished slice of Scandinavian calm on wheels, blending minimalist design with a cocoon-like interior that makes everyday driving surprisingly serene. It’s an electric compact that puts safety and comfort front and center, while still injecting enough personality and tech-savvy charm to keep city buyers smiling.

details
Audi A3 Sportback
Volvo EC40

Costs and Consumption

Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
46,500 - 56,800 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
16.2 - 17.3 kWh/100km
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
486 - 585 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
0 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
2,065 - 2,185 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
404 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,873 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
395 - 435 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
238 - 442 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
420 - 670 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
175 - 325 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Audi
Brand
Volvo
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.