Verdict
At RM338,990, the Audi A3 Sedan is the far less costly entry point, with RM372 annual road tax, a 187 hp/320 Nm 2.0-litre turbo and a useful 425-litre boot. The RM459,000 Lotus Emeya asks RM120,010 more and annual road tax rises to RM1,440, but it brings 603 hp, 710 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.15-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 102-kWh battery, 610-km range and 420-kW DC charging suit buyers committed to EV ownership; its 2,241-mm width will be harder to place in tight Malaysian parking bays.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want the lower purchase price, much lower road tax and 60:40 split-folding rear seats in a substantially narrower sedan.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want 603 hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive performance, 610 km of EV range and a far fuller driver-assistance suite.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Lotus Emeya RM459,000.
- Power and torque: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp and 320 Nm; Lotus Emeya 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi A3 Sedan 7.3 seconds; Lotus Emeya 4.15 seconds.
- Length and width: Audi A3 Sedan 4,495 mm and 1,816 mm; Lotus Emeya 5,139 mm and 2,241 mm.
- Boot space: Audi A3 Sedan 425 litres; Lotus Emeya 509 litres.
- Annual road tax: Audi A3 Sedan RM372; Lotus Emeya RM1,440.
A3 Sedan
- RM120,010 lower purchase price
- RM1,068 lower annual road tax
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail the Lotus's 603 hp and 710 Nm
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system
- 425-litre boot is 84 litres smaller
Emeya
- 603 hp, 710 Nm and all-wheel drive
- 102-kWh battery with 610-km range and 420-kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera and head-up display
- RM120,010 higher purchase price
- RM1,068 higher annual road tax
- Fixed rear seats where the Audi has a 60:40 split-folding arrangement
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM459,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | — |
| Torque | 320 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 603 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 710 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 102 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 610 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 420 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 4.15 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 5,139 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 2,241 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,459 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 3,069 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres | 509 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Pirelli P-Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | — |
| 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 | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | Tyre puncture repair kit |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
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.
Used A3 Sedan & Emeya for sale
A3 Sedan vs Emeya FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Lotus Emeya better?
The Lotus Emeya is better for outright performance, EV range, charging and active safety equipment. The Audi A3 Sedan is the more rational choice if lower purchase cost, lower annual road tax and folding rear-seat flexibility matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM120,010 more than the Audi A3 Sedan: RM459,000 against RM338,990.
Which is quicker, the Audi A3 Sedan or Lotus Emeya?
The Lotus Emeya is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.15 seconds versus 7.3 seconds for the Audi A3 Sedan. It also has 603 hp and 710 Nm, against 187 hp and 320 Nm.