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Subaru Forester vs Audi A3 Sportback comparison

Compare performance (136 HP vs 400 HP), boot space and price (35,100 £ vs 27,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Subaru Forester or Audi A3 Sportback?

Subaru Forester vs Audi A3 Sportback: Key differences

Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly more trunk space
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Audi A3 Sportback

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

Forester

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 noticeably cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Subaru Forester costs 35,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 8,134 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.1 L/100km. The difference is about 7 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 136 HP. That’s roughly 264 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is considerably 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 significantly more torque with 500 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 318 Nm more.

Forester

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 clearly lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,693 kg. The difference is around 333 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Subaru Forester offers clearly 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 is clearly superior overall 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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Subaru Forester
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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.

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.

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Subaru Forester
Audi A3 Sportback

Costs and Consumption
Price
35,100 - 42,800 £
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Consumption L/100km
8.1 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
183 g/km
co2
25 - 211 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

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

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

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
Brand
Subaru
Brand
Audi
What drivetrain options does the Subaru Forester have?

The Subaru Forester is offered with 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.