Verdict
The A3 Sedan uses 17% less fuel, the XE is 7% more powerful, while the XE is about 5% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 338,990 | RM 320,755✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake and exhaust valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 200 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 280 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 8-Speed Electronic Automatic with Jaguar Sequential Shift |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | ZF |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km✓ | 7.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 237 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 179 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,672 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,416 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,835 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,530 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres | 450 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Emergency Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For all seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Bi-Xenon Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 6-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 2 front, 1 rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 front, 2 rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 8" touchscreen navigation system with CD/DVD playback, Aux-in, USB, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four windows, auto up and down with anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/80,000 km free scheduled maintenance |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 380 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.