A3 or A4 – The Difficulty of the Audi Decision

Should you drive the Audi A3 or the Audi A4? This could be a difficult decision for you to make when you’re visiting an Audi dealership.

These two sedans are similar with one being a bit smaller than the other. You’re going to find a lot of similarities in these two Audi models, but you can find some differences, which we will try to point out so that you can make an informed decision when it’stime to choose the car you’ll drive.

Design and Body Styles

The Audi A3 is a subcompact luxury sedan with a neutral design and a sporty look to give you an active appearance. You’ll see narrow Led headlights and taillights along with sharp style lines in this car. There’s also an integrated rear lip spoiler on the A3. The Audi A4 is a bit more of what you expect from Audi with a larger build that makes it a compact luxury sedan you’ll want to drive. The A4 has bigger front and rear overhangs along with LED lights and the look that you’ll admire.

Space and Practicality

This is one place where you’re going to find differences right away. The Audi A3 is a subcompact sedan which means it has less room for passengers and cargo than does the Audi A4. The trunk can hold 12.3 cubic feet in the A3 while the trunk of the A4 is a bit larger with 13 cubic feet of cargo space. Your passengers will be more comfortable in the Audi A4 which is taller and larger to give you more space in every area to give you what you expect when you compare these two Audi models together.

Powertrains/Fuel Mileage

The base powertrain for both cars is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The A3 is rated at 184 horsepower and 224 lb.-ft. of torque with the fuel mileage coming in at 26 city/35 hwy mpg. The A4 is a bit more powerful at 188 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque while giving you 27 city/34 hwy mpg when you drive. The upgraded power for both is the same size engine which is tuned up to 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque in the A3 with the A4 making 248 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. Both models lose a bit in the fuel mileage numbers with the more powerful engines under the hood.

Driving Dynamics

The Audi A3 offers you a drive that feels easy but active on the road. This comes from the chassis that’s capable and a steering system that’s quick and ready when you take it on the road. The Audi A4 offers you a drive that feels smooth and refined with a package of anticipation ready to pounce when you hit the gas pedal. You’ll love the drive in either one of these cars, and will likely need to drive both in order to make the right decision.

Tech Offered

When you take a look at what the Audi A3 and the Audi A4 offer, you’ll notice a ton of similarities. The 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit screen is offered in both models and you’ll find items including a heated steering wheel, automatic climate controls, and rain-sensing wipers. The infotainment comes to you on a seven-inch display to give you the connectivity of Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto when you drive. Listen to the music you love during your commute with the use of the ten-speaker audio system which is offered in both of these luxury cars.

Not the Same, But Extremely Similar

You expect the Audi A3 and Audi A4 to be extremely similar when you’re shopping for the right Audi to experience every day. The A3 has a smaller size and less power while the A4 is more of what you expect from the Audi brand. In order to find the right model and trim for you to drive, you’ll want to see the team at your nearby Audi dealer and take a drive in both of these models. This is where you’ll figure out which of these two Audi models you belong in.