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Mazda MX-5 Coupe vs Audi A3 Sportback comparison

Compare performance (132 HP vs 400 HP), boot space and price (31,400 £ vs 27,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda MX-5 Coupe or Audi A3 Sportback?

Mazda MX-5 Coupe vs Audi A3 Sportback: Key differences

Mazda MX-5 Coupe

  • clearly lighter
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Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
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  • a bit cheaper
  • substantially more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

MX-5 Coupe

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Audi A3 Sportback is a bit cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mazda MX-5 Coupe costs 31,400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,362 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Coupe with 6.2 L/100km. The difference is about 5.1 L/100km.

A3 Sportback

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 substantially more power – delivering 400 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 268 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Coupe takes 8.6 s. That’s about 4.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Audi A3 Sportback delivers substantially more torque with 500 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 348 Nm more.

MX-5 Coupe

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Audi A3 Sportback offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Coupe is clearly lighter – 1,114 kg compared to 1,360 kg. The difference is around 246 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Audi A3 Sportback offers substantially more boot space – 380 L compared to 127 L. That’s a difference of about 253 L.

When it comes to payload, the Audi A3 Sportback carries considerably more – 480 kg compared to 166 kg. That’s a difference of about 314 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
Mazda MX-5 Coupe
Audi A3 Sportback

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mazda MX-5 Coupe

The Mazda MX-5 is a delightfully pure driver's car, wrapped in a compact package and tuned to make steering inputs feel like a conversation rather than a chore. It won’t overwhelm you with gadgetry, but what it delivers—nimble handling, instant feedback and an honest grin every time you drive—makes it a brilliant choice for anyone who values fun over flash.

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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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Mazda MX-5 Coupe
Audi A3 Sportback

Costs and Consumption

Price
31,400 - 36,700 £
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Consumption L/100km
6.2 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
140 g/km
co2
25 - 211 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,114 kg
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Trunk capacity
127 L
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,735 mm
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
166 kg
Payload
410 - 480 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
132 HP
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
152 Nm
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Power kW
97 kW
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
Brand
Mazda
Brand
Audi
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.