Verdict
At RM338,990 against RM286,245, the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM52,745 more but brings a 7-speed wet dual-clutch, 425-litre boot, power front seats with driver memory and six front plus six rear parking sensors. The Subaru WRX counters with far more muscle: 271 hp and 375 Nm versus 187 hp and 320 Nm, sent through a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive. For a Malaysian buyer who faces daily traffic, the Audi’s automatic and richer cabin equipment justify its focus; the WRX is the cheaper enthusiast’s choice.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want an automatic sedan with a 425-litre boot, power memory front seats and more parking assistance.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual for RM52,745 less.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp; Subaru WRX 271 hp.
- Torque: Audi A3 Sedan 320 Nm; Subaru WRX 375 Nm.
- Transmission and driveline: Audi A3 Sedan 7-speed wet dual-clutch, front-wheel drive; Subaru WRX 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Audi A3 Sedan 425 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
- Fuel tank: Audi A3 Sedan 51 litres; Subaru WRX 63 litres.
A3 Sedan
- 7-speed wet dual-clutch automatic and 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory and rear air vents.
- 425-litre boot, navigation and 12 parking sensors.
- Costs RM52,745 more.
- Has 84 hp and 55 Nm less than the WRX.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo engine.
- Six-speed manual with all-wheel drive.
- 63-litre fuel tank and 18-inch wheels.
- Manual transmission only, against the Audi’s 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- 411-litre boot is 14 litres smaller.
- No front parking sensors, navigation or rear air vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual 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 rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map 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 | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 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 | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 & WRX for sale
A3 Sedan vs WRX FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Subaru WRX better?
The Audi A3 Sedan is better for automatic daily driving and cabin equipment, with power memory seats, navigation and 12 parking sensors. The Subaru WRX is better for performance hardware, pairing 271 hp and 375 Nm with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A3 Sedan is RM52,745 more expensive than the Subaru WRX: RM338,990 versus RM286,245.
Which one is more practical for luggage and long trips?
The Audi A3 Sedan has the larger boot at 425 litres versus 411 litres. The Subaru WRX carries 12 litres more fuel, with a 63-litre tank against the Audi’s 51 litres.