Compare the Audi A3 Sportback vs Volkswagen Golf

A premium interior, and it's whisper quiet to drive
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10
Not the most exciting, but a brilliant all-rounder
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10

AI generated from our expert reviews

The Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 Sportback have plenty in common on the road. Both are easy to drive in town, effortless to park, and keep noise well contained for relaxing motorway trips. Fitting three adults across the rear bench will leave them feeling squeezed in either car. The A3 Sportback is longer overall, and inside it gives you physical ventilation buttons and menus you can swipe through quickly. The Golf has a larger screen, but its fussy menus and haptic climate sliders prove irritating to use on the move. However, Volkswagen gives you active cruise control as standard across the range, whereas in the Audi you will have to pay extra for an adaptive system that maintains your distance to the vehicle ahead.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

Compare the specs

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Technik 1.5 TFSI 116 Petrol Manual

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Life 1.5 TSI Petrol Manual

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Standard kit

  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.
  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.

Key information

Body type Hatchbacks Body type Hatchbacks
Available fuel types Petrol Available fuel types Petrol
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 380 litres (3 suitcases) Boot space, seats up 381 litres (3 suitcases) Best
Boot space, seats down 1,200 litres Boot space, seats down —
External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,757 mm x 1,816 mm x 1,430 mm External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,284 mm x 1,789 mm x 1,491 mm
Towing capacity 1,300 kg Towing capacity 1,300 kg
First year tax rate £455 First year tax rate £455
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
50.4 mpg
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
53.3 mpg Best
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 17 · good
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 17 · good
View full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 1.5 TFSI 116 Engine name 1.5 TSI
Engine size 1.5 L Petrol • 116 BHP Engine size 1.5 L Petrol • 115 BHP
Body type Hatchbacks Body type Hatchbacks
Fuel type Petrol Fuel type Petrol
Transmission Manual Transmission Manual
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Forward gears 6 Forward gears 6
Acceleration 9.7 s (0-60 mph) Best Acceleration 9.9 s (0-60 mph)

Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 5
Boot (seats up) 380 litres Boot (seats up) 381 litres Best
Boot (seats down) 1,200 litres Boot (seats down) —
Length 4,757 mm Length 4,284 mm
Width 1,816 mm Width 1,789 mm
Height 1,430 mm Height 1,491 mm
Wheelbase 2.82 m Wheelbase 2.63 m
Turning circle 11.7 m Turning circle 11.1 m

Full features list

  • Aluminium roof rails
  • Audi 1 year extended warranty: up to 4 years or 75,000 miles whichever is exceeded first
  • Audi 2 year extended warranty: up to 5 years or 90,000 miles whichever is exceeded first
  • Audi exclusive matt paint
  • Audi exclusive paint
  • Intention cloth - Black/Silver with black stitching
  • Metallic paint
  • Panoramic roof
  • Pearlescent paint
  • Rear side airbags with head airbag system
  • Space saving spare wheel with tool kit and jack
  • Trailer hitch
  • Anti theft alarm
  • Anti-theft wheel bolts
  • Electronically operated child locks
  • Immobiliser
  • 3rd brake light
  • Acoustic glass windscreen
  • Aluminium window trim
  • Auto dimming frameless rear view mirror
  • Body colour exterior mirrors
  • Body colour roof spoiler
  • Electrically adjustable/heated/folding/auto dimming door mirrors with integrated LED indications + kerb view function for passenger side
  • Exterior model badging
  • Front electric windows
  • Front radiator grill in high gloss dark chrome
  • Front side air inlets in grained matt black with silver frame
  • Heat insulating glass windscreen
  • High beam assist
  • Invisible tailpipe
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED headlights and halogen rear lights
  • Light and rain sensors
  • Rear diffuser and grill in grained matt black with silver frame
  • Rear electric windows
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear window, rear door windows and rear side windows in clear glass
  • Rear wiper
  • Solid paint
  • 1-Zone automatic air conditioning with preparation for further air conditioning functions
  • 12V socket and storage compartment in front centre console
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat bench
  • Black front and rear floor mats
  • Front and rear headrests
  • Front centre armrest
  • Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
  • Intention cloth upholstery
  • Manual boot compartment lid
  • Manually adjustable front seats
  • Seat side bolsters
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Steel grey cloth headlining
  • Twin spoke leather multifunction steering wheel
  • i-Size child seat mounting on the front passenger side and outer rear seats, i-Size and top tether on the outer rear seats
  • Standard suspension
  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
  • Adjustable speed limiter
  • Audi connect emergency call and service with audi connect remote and control
  • Audi connect navigation and infotainment on demand
  • Audi drive select (Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency and Individual)
  • Audi virtual cockpit plus - 12.3" full HD resolution dynamic digital instrument cluster
  • Automatic start/stop system with recuperation
  • Bluetooth interface
  • Camera based traffic sign recognition
  • Collision avoidance assistant
  • Driver attention and fatigue detection
  • Electromechanical power speed sensitive steering
  • Front cross traffic assist
  • Intersection assist
  • Lane departure warning system
  • MMI panoramic display with LCD technology, comprising Audi virtual cockpit plus with 11.9-inch display as well as the 12.8-inch MMI touch display
  • Parking system plus with distance display
  • Reversing camera
  • Service indicator
  • Smartphone interface with app store includes wireless Apple carplay, Android auto and Amazon alexa integration
  • Trip computer
  • Voice control system with natural language interaction
  • e-Call (emergency call)
  • 6 passive loudspeakers
  • Audi Phonebox light with wireless charging
  • DAB Digital radio
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Convenience key with safelock
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with passenger airbag deactivation
  • Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL
  • First aid kit with warning triangle and 2 safety vests
  • Front emergency brake assist
  • Front side airbags with head airbags and interaction airbag
  • Hill hold assist
  • Pre-sense front with pedestrian and cyclist detection
  • Seatbelt monitoring
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • Black dashboard
  • Inlays in black Impressum woven textile
  • LED interior lighting pack -A3
  • 17" 5-Arm style alloy wheels
  • Tool kit
  • Tyre repair kit
  • 17" Nottingham alloy wheels
  • Air care climatronic 3 Zone automatic climate control with rear air conditioning control panel
  • Ambient lighting with 30 colour including LED light unit in front footwell with selectable light colour
  • Area view including rear view camera with front and rear view camera system and two side cameras
  • Art Velours pack - Soul Black
  • Curtain and side airbags in front and rear, center airbag
  • Driving profile selection and conventional shock absorber
  • Dynamic steering
  • ErgoActive seat right-hand drive vehicle package with Sports comfort seats - Art velors cloth - Soul black
  • Folding trailer hitch with electric release
  • Harman/Kardon sound system including 12 channel digital amplifier, 480 watt output and 9 speakers plus subwoofer
  • Head up Display
  • LED matrix headlights with ambient light V2, advanced high beam, dynamic range contol with cornering, LED rear lamp with indicator, poor weather
  • LED performance headlight with LED plus headlamps, cornering light and poor weather light, Exterior ambient lighting variant 3
  • Maze cloth - Soul black
  • Metallic paint
  • Park assist with park distance control
  • Premium metallic paint
  • Premium pearlescent paint
  • Rear tinted glass 65% light absorbing from B pillar backwards
  • Rear view camera
  • Space and weight saving spare wheel incl tool kit and jack
  • Special solid paint
  • Sports suspension - Shock absorption in front, Front stabilizer bar and rear stabilizer bar
  • Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with 2X front and 2X rear LED reading lights
  • 3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • 3 rear three point seatbelts
  • Anti-lock brake system
  • Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Curtain and side airbags in front with centre airbag
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
  • Electronic parking brake with auto hold
  • Extended pedestrian protection measures
  • Front disc brakes
  • Rear disc brakes
  • Two tone horn
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • Volkswagen roadside assistance
  • Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened
  • 10 colour interior ambient lighting
  • 12V socket in front centre console
  • 12V socket in luggage compartment
  • 2 LED reading lights in front and rear
  • 3 rear head restraints
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Air care climatronic air conditioning system
  • Chrome plated radiator grille inserts, air vent surrounds and light switch surrounds
  • Door and side trim panel
  • Front + rear black carpet mats
  • Front centre armrest
  • Front comfort seats
  • Front head restraints
  • Front seat lumbar support adjuster
  • ISOFIX anchors for child seats on outer rear bench seats and on front passanger seat compatible for i-Size
  • Leather gearshift handle
  • Leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel
  • Luggage compartment lighting
  • Manual height adjustable front passenger seat
  • Manually height adjustable driver seat
  • Maze cloth upholstery
  • Rear cupholder and loadthough
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Soul black instrument panel
  • Split folding backrest with centre armrest and unsplit rear seat bench
  • Standard pedal cluster
  • Storm grey roof lining
  • Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Activated carbon canister
  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
  • Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor
  • Dynamic road sign display
  • E-Sim card for online connectivity
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Lane keeping system Lane Assist
  • Multi-color Digital cockpit pro, selection of different info profile possible
  • Multifunction front facing camera for distance control
  • Navigation system
  • Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support
  • Power assisted speed sensitive steering
  • Speed limiter
  • Speedo, rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display, exterior temperature and fuel gauge
  • Voice enhancer and voice control
  • We connect plus preparation
  • We connect preparation
  • Wireless app connect
  • eCall emergency call system
  • 3rd brake light
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Automatic headlamp activation with Coming home and Leaving home feature
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour door mirrors
  • Dynamic headlight range control
  • Exterior ambient lighting with illuminated door handles
  • Exterior mirrors convex on the left and aspherical on the right
  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Heat insulating glass in side and rear windows
  • Heat insulating windshield made of laminated glass
  • LED Headlights
  • LED rear combination lights
  • LED separate daytime running light
  • Rain sensor
  • Rear exhaust tailpipe
  • Rear fog light on one side and reversing lights on both sides
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay
  • Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror
  • Solid paint
  • Standard bumpers
  • Welcome light with surround lighting
  • Petrol Particulate Filter
  • Start-stop system with battery regeneration (recuperation - energy recovery during braking)
  • XDS electronic differential lock for improved traction and handling
  • Alarm with interior protection
  • Anti theft wheel bolts
  • Keyless start with SAFE lock
  • Preparation for alcohol interlock
  • 2 USB C ports in front, 2 USB charging sockets on the centre console in the rear charging capacity upto 45W
  • 6 Speakers - 4 in front and 2 in rear with central speaker
  • Digital radio reception (DAB)
  • Diversity antenna for FM reception
  • Gaming platform via car app
  • Infotainment system with 12.9" display
  • Mobile phone interface with inductive charging feature
  • Nature cross brushed decorative inserts for dashboard and front door panels
  • 16" Norfolk alloy wheels
  • Tool kit for tyre mobility set
  • Tyre mobility kit Includes 12V compressor and tyre sealant

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.