Audi A3 Sedan vs Volvo ES90
Verdict
At RM338,990 for the Audi A3 Sedan and RM339,888 for the Volvo ES90, this is basically a same-money choice. The ES90 makes the A3 look tiny: 5,000 mm long with a 3,102 mm wheelbase against 4,495 mm and 2,636 mm, and its electric motor gives 329 hp and 480 Nm versus the Audi’s 187 hp and 320 Nm. It is quicker to 100 km/h, 6.6 seconds versus 7.3, with a 92 kWh battery and 651 km range. The A3 counters with a 240 km/h top speed, 1,535 kg kerb weight and 6.2 L/100 km petrol economy.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want a smaller petrol sedan with 6.2 L/100 km rated economy, a higher 240 km/h top speed and a space-saver spare.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want executive-size rear-drive EV performance, 651 km range and much stronger safety and comfort equipment at almost the same price.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Volvo ES90 RM339,888
- Power and torque: Audi 187 hp/320 Nm; Volvo 329 hp/480 Nm
- Drivetrain: Audi petrol front-wheel drive; Volvo electric rear-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Audi 7.3 seconds/240 km/h; Volvo 6.6 seconds/180 km/h
- Size: Audi 4,495 mm long with 2,636 mm wheelbase; Volvo 5,000 mm long with 3,102 mm wheelbase
- Boot and weight: Audi 425 litres/1,535 kg; Volvo 424 litres/2,410 kg
A3 Sedan
- Higher top speed: 240 km/h versus 180 km/h
- Much lighter: 1,535 kg versus 2,410 kg
- Gets a space-saver spare; the Volvo uses a tyre repair kit
- Slower to 100 km/h: 7.3 seconds versus 6.6 seconds
- Far smaller footprint: 4,495 mm length and 2,636 mm wheelbase versus 5,000 mm and 3,102 mm
- Driver aids are thinner: no blind spot info, autonomous braking or active cruise against the ES90’s full set
ES90
- Stronger and quicker: 329 hp, 480 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds
- Much larger wheelbase: 3,102 mm versus 2,636 mm
- Long-range EV hardware: 92 kWh NMC battery, 651 km range and 350 kW DC charging
- Lower top speed: 180 km/h versus 240 km/h
- Much heavier: 2,410 kg versus 1,535 kg
- No spare tyre; it gets a repair kit while the Audi has a space saver
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 338,990✓ | RM 339,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | — |
| Torque | 320 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 480 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) |
| Battery Capacity | — | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 651 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 395 |
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 vs ES90 FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Volvo ES90 better?
Spec-for-spec, the Volvo ES90 is the stronger buy: only RM898 dearer, with 329 hp, 480 Nm, 651 km range, more driver assists and a 3,102 mm wheelbase. Choose the Audi A3 Sedan if you specifically want petrol and compact size.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 is RM898 more expensive than the Audi A3 Sedan. Annual road tax is RM395 for the Volvo and RM372 for the Audi, so the yearly difference is RM23.
Which one is quicker?
The Volvo ES90 is quicker to 100 km/h at 6.6 seconds versus 7.3 seconds for the Audi A3 Sedan, thanks to 329 hp and 480 Nm from its motor. The Audi has the higher top speed: 240 km/h against 180 km/h.