TLX vs A3
Acura brings the TLX; Audi answers with the A3. Both play in the compact luxury car class. Here the question is less “which is better?” and more “which strength do you need?” Is it engine & performance with the TLX, or fuel economy & range with the A3?
At a glance
- Engine & Performance TLX wins
- Fuel Economy & Range A3 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance6.8
- Fuel Economy & Range4.0
- Engine & Performance2.6
- Fuel Economy & Range6.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The TLX has 71 hp more power
The TLX’s 272 hp leaves the A3’s 201 hp well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The TLX has 59 lb-ft more torque
Not a close call. The TLX lists 280 lb-ft and the A3 lists 221 lb-ft. That’s a substantial gap. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
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The A3 has better fuel economy
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the A3 leads 28 mpg to 25 mpg. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
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The A3 has better highway fuel economy
The difference is minor (34 mpg against 31 mpg), but if you’re splitting hairs, the A3 wins it. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
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The A3 has better city fuel economy
The TLX comes close with 22 mpg; the A3 does slightly better with 24 mpg. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the A3 starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.6 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 56.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
TLX leads
This is one of the TLX’s strongest areas. On engine & performance, the A3 falls well short. The TLX wins here with 71 hp more power. The TLX’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. Prioritize engine & performance, and the TLX is where you should land.
Total system output
TLX: 272 hp A3: 201 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
TLX: 280 lb-ft A3: 221 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
A3 leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the A3. Here the A3 offers better fuel economy. The A3 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. On fuel economy & range alone, the A3 gets the nod.
Fuel economy (combined)
TLX: 25 mpg A3: 28 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (highway)
TLX: 31 mpg A3: 34 mpg The A3 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the space & practicality section; the two are too close to separate. Either car will serve you equally well on space & practicality.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on off-road & towing. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the TLX and the A3 each bring.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 272 hp (winner) | 201 hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft (winner) | 221 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD (SH-AWD available) | AWD (quattro) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 25 mpg | 28 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 24 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 34 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 15.9 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 13.5 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-assist suite | AcuraWatch | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.6 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 56.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | TLX | A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $45,400 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the TLX if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (272 hp vs 201 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (280 lb-ft vs 221 lb-ft of torque)
- you’re loyal to Acura and happy with it
Choose the A3 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (28 mpg vs 25 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (34 mpg vs 31 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (24 mpg vs 22 mpg in the city)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the TLX or the A3?
There’s no single right answer. The TLX leads on engine & performance and the A3 on fuel economy & range.
Executive Summary
The TLX versus the A3 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Acura and Audi made different bets. I keep coming back to one thing: the TLX gets 71 hp more power. To be fair, the A3 has better fuel economy, and that’s not nothing.
I think of the TLX as the one for engine & performance and the A3 as the one for fuel economy & range.
My pick: there’s no single winner, so choose the TLX for engine & performance or the A3 for fuel economy & range.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.