Audi A3 Sedan vs Lotus Emeya
Verdict
This is a size, drivetrain and budget split as much as a sedan fight. The Audi A3 Sedan is the smaller, cheaper petrol choice, with 187 hp, front-wheel drive, 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h and 6.2 L/100 km. The Lotus Emeya asks RM120,010 more, but brings 603 hp, all-wheel drive, a 4.2-second sprint, 102.0 kWh battery and 610 km EV range. It is also much larger, so check parking space before being seduced by the numbers.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want the lower purchase price, petrol refuelling and a more manageable C-segment footprint.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want EV performance, all-wheel drive, more space and can live with the higher road tax and larger body.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
- Power: Audi 187 hp; Lotus 603 hp
- 0-100 km/h: Audi 7.3 s; Lotus 4.2 s
- Driven wheels: Audi front-wheel drive; Lotus all-wheel drive
- Size: Audi 4,495 mm long and 1,816 mm wide; Lotus 5,139 mm long and 2,241 mm wide
- Boot space: Audi 425 L; Lotus 509 L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 338,990✓ | RM 459,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Grand Tourer |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,984 cc | Dual motor |
| Power | 187 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.3 s | 4.2 s✓ |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 6.2 L/100km | — |
| Battery | — | 102.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 610 km |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 425 L | 509 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 51 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 8✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 1,440 |
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.
A3 Sedan
- RM120,010 cheaper to buy
- 6.2 L/100 km fuel economy figure
- Smaller 4,495 mm length suits tighter parking
- Far less power at 187 hp
- Front-wheel drive only
- Auto emergency braking not listed
Emeya
- 603 hp dual-motor EV punch
- 610 km EV range from 102.0 kWh battery
- Bigger 509 L boot
- Costs RM459,000
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus RM372
- Very wide at 2,241 mm
A3 Sedan vs Emeya FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Lotus Emeya better?
The Lotus Emeya is better for performance, space and EV range. The Audi A3 Sedan is the saner buy if price, road tax and city-sized packaging matter more than 603 hp acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM459,000, while the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990. That is a RM120,010 gap before insurance and running costs.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Lotus Emeya is much quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The Audi A3 Sedan takes 7.3 seconds.