A3 vs S60
Brand preference aside, the A3 and the S60 are close competitors, both pitched at compact luxury car buyers. On balance, the S60 is the stronger package: it leads in 2 out of 4 areas, most clearly in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance S60 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range S60 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance2.6
- Fuel Economy & Range6.7
- Engine & Performance5.3
- Fuel Economy & Range8.6
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 S60 has 46 hp more power
The S60’s 247 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 S60 has 37 lb-ft more torque
Not a close call. The S60 lists 258 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 S60 has better fuel economy
The A3 comes close with 28 mpg; the S60 does slightly better with 30 mpg. The S60 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The S60 has better city fuel economy
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 27 mpg for the S60, 24 mpg for the A3. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The S60 has better highway fuel economy
On paper, the S60 is a touch ahead here, listing 36 mpg against 34 mpg. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
S60 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the S60 leads the engine & performance section with room to spare. Point to the S60 for 46 hp more power. The S60’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. Bottom line for engine & performance: the S60 has the edge.
Total system output
A3: 201 hp S60: 247 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
A3: 221 lb-ft S60: 258 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
S60 leads
The fuel economy & range numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the S60. The S60 steps ahead thanks to better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. Net result: the S60 leads this part of the comparison.
Fuel economy (combined)
A3: 28 mpg S60: 30 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
A3: 24 mpg S60: 27 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the S60 starts from a better baseline.
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
In the off-road & towing category, the A3 and the S60 land in almost the same place. Don’t let off-road & towing decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the A3 and the S60 each bring.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A3 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 201 hp | 247 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A3 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 28 mpg | 30 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 24 mpg | 27 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 34 mpg | 36 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A3 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A3 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A3 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“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 S60 if…
- you want more power (247 hp vs 201 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (258 lb-ft vs 221 lb-ft of torque)
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (30 mpg vs 28 mpg combined)
- you mostly drive in town (27 mpg vs 24 mpg in the city)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A3 or the S60?
On the specs compared here, the S60 makes more sense for most buyers; the A3 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the A3’s and the S60’s) so you don’t have to. The S60 earns my vote first and foremost with 46 hp more power. I also like that the S60 brings better fuel economy.
Your priorities do the choosing here: the things a spec sheet can’t capture points to the A3, engine & performance to the S60.
My pick: the S60.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.