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Audi A3 Sportback vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 36,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or VW Passat?

Audi A3 Sportback vs VW Passat: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • very slightly more efficient
  • barely more electric range
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • moderately lighter

VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more trunk space

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 clearly cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the VW Passat costs 36,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 9,462 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is very slightly more efficient than the VW Passat with 1.2 L/100km. The difference is about 0.1 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Audi A3 Sportback offers barely more range – reaching up to 141 km, about 6 km more than the VW Passat.

Passat

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Audi A3 Sportback offers visibly more power – delivering 400 HP compared to 272 HP. That’s roughly 128 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 VW Passat takes 5.8 s. That’s about 2 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the VW Passat is very slightly faster – reaching 250 km/h, while the Audi A3 Sportback tops out at 237 km/h. The difference is around 13 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Audi A3 Sportback delivers a bit more torque with 500 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 100 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 moderately lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,573 kg. The difference is around 213 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Passat offers substantially more boot space – 690 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 310 L.

For maximum load capacity, the VW Passat offers visibly more capacity – up to 1,770 L, about 670 L more than the Audi A3 Sportback.

When it comes to payload, the VW Passat carries moderately more – 577 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 97 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
details

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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.

VW Passat

The VW Passat is the grown-up family car that gets the basics absolutely right — roomy, comfortable and built to handle weekday commutes and weekend getaways without fuss. It won't set your pulse racing, but its calm composure and sensible packaging make it boring in the best possible way: a dependable, no‑drama choice for buyers who value practicality over flash.

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Reviews VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate
Sjaak
5 Dec 2025, 19:42:23

Spacious car that drives nicely and keeps its value for a long time.

Jack
5 Dec 2025, 15:24:16

Pleasant to drive, roomy and solid. The hybrid version is also very economical.

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Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 56,600 £
Price
36,500 - 58,500 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
28 - 181 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 L
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 66 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
1,573 - 1,858 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
4,352 - 4,353 mm
Length
4,917 mm
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,849 mm
Height
1,441 - 1,470 mm
Height
1,521 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,100 L
Max trunk capacity
1,770 L
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.8 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
225 - 237 km/h
Max Speed
220 - 250 km/h
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D, E, B
Brand
Audi
Brand
VW
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.