Verdict
The Audi A3 Sedan and Volvo ES90 are separated by only RM898, yet their briefs could not be more different. The A3 is a 1,535-kg C-segment petrol sedan with 187 hp, a 51-litre tank and 425 litres of boot space. The 2,410-kg ES90 is a much longer executive EV: its 329-hp motor, 92-kWh battery and 651-km range suit Malaysian drivers who can charge at home or work. Choose the Audi for a smaller footprint and 240-km/h top speed; the Volvo brings vastly more rear-seat hardware and active safety.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want a far shorter, narrower petrol sedan with a 51-litre tank, 240-km/h top speed and a space-saver spare tyre.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want 651 km of EV range, 350-kW DC charging, a 3,102-mm wheelbase and substantially richer safety and rear-seat equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Powertrain: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp and 320 Nm from a 1,984-cc turbo petrol engine; Volvo ES90 329 hp and 480 Nm from one electric motor.
- Acceleration: Audi A3 Sedan 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; Volvo ES90 in 6.6 seconds.
- Length and wheelbase: Audi A3 Sedan 4,495 mm and 2,636 mm; Volvo ES90 5,000 mm and 3,102 mm.
- Energy storage and range: Audi A3 Sedan 51-litre fuel tank and 6.2 L/100 km rated economy; Volvo ES90 92-kWh battery and 651 km EV range.
- Boot space: Audi A3 Sedan 425 litres; Volvo ES90 424 litres.
A3 Sedan
- 1,535 kg versus the Volvo ES90's 2,410 kg
- 240 km/h top speed
- 425-litre boot and space-saver spare tyre
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail the ES90's 329 hp and 480 Nm
- 2,636-mm wheelbase is 466 mm shorter than the ES90's
- No blind spot information system, autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction
ES90
- 329 hp, 480 Nm and 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 92-kWh battery, 651-km range and 350-kW DC charging
- Active air suspension, ventilated reclining rear seats and 360-degree camera
- 2,410 kg is 875 kg heavier than the Audi A3 Sedan
- 180 km/h top speed is 60 km/h lower than the Audi's
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Audi's space-saver spare tyre
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM339,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM395 |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 480 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 651 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 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 | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/40R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 285/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 22" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 22" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain, Dual Front Centre Airbags |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| 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 with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Power Reclining Seats with Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C 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 | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,650 watt) |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 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 & ES90 for sale
A3 Sedan vs ES90 FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is the more capable choice on equipment, safety, power and rear-seat accommodation, with 329 hp, 651 km range and a 3,102-mm wheelbase. The Audi A3 Sedan suits buyers wanting petrol refuelling, much smaller dimensions and a 240-km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 costs RM339,888 and the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990, so the Volvo is RM898 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Audi A3 Sedan does, but only just: 425 litres versus 424 litres for the Volvo ES90. The Volvo is 505 mm longer, so its advantage lies in cabin length rather than quoted boot volume.