2026 Audi A3 vs 2026 Porsche Taycan
The Audi A3 wins clearly, 81.9 to 65.5, on tech & comfort, price, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
2026 Audi A3
The 2026 Audi A3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan. The most efficient version, the A3 quattro, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall …
2026 Porsche Taycan
The 2026 Porsche Taycan is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact sedan with 18 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Taycan 4 Perf Battery …
2026 Audi A3
Clear winThe Audi A3 wins clearly, 81.9 to 65.5, on tech & comfort, price, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
| Category · weight | 2026 Porsche Taycanoverall 65.5 | 2026 Audi A3overall 81.9 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 37.9 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 30.9 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 75 | 100 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 77.6 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 63.4 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 9.1 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 65.5 | 81.9 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Porsche Taycan: base trim Taycan RWD · Audi A3: base trim A3 quattro AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Audi A3 wins
- It lists 2 standard driver-assist features against 0.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (11 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It starts $65,700 lower ($40,100 against $105,800 base MSRP).
Where the 2026 Porsche Taycan answers
- It is rated 91 combined against 28 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($850 against $2,750).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
41 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $105,800 | $40,100 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine displacement | — | 1,984 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | — | 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 402 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 272 lb-ft | 236 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 91 mpg | 24 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 79 mpg | 28 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 94 mpg | 34 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 4.167 / 3.125 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 7 |
| Transmission type | Two-speed dog-ring rear | S-tronic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | 54.2 in | 56.2 in |
| Overall length | 195 in | 177 in |
| Overall width | 77.4 in | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | 104 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 10.7 cu-ft | 8.3 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 36.8 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 36.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.2 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 35.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,630 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,630 lbs | 3,461 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,162 lbs | — |
| Payload capacity | 1,532 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Aluminum double-wishbone, 2-chamber adaptive air suspension with PASM | Mcpherson strut front axle |
| Rear suspension type | Aluminum multi-link axle with subframe, 2-chamber adaptive air suspension with PASM | Four-link rear suspension |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electromechanical | Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 38.4 ft | 36.5 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 360 mm | 306 mm |
| Front brake type | Steel, internally vented | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | Electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 358 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | Steel, internally vented | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 17 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/55 R19 / 275/45 R19 | 225/45 R17 91H all-season |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 14.5 gal |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 54.8 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 53 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
103 features · differences first, then sharedSafety2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Lock Braking System Standard, All Four Wheels, with Electronic Brake Force Distribution | — | std |
| Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | — | std |
Interior12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Base MSRP (USD) | — | std |
| Comprehensive Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first | — | std |
| Destination and Delivery (USD): $1,395 | — | std |
| EPA Class: Midsize Car AWD | — | std |
| Headroom, Front (in.) | — | std |
| Headroom, Rear (in.) | — | std |
| Legroom, Front (in.) | — | std |
| Legroom, Rear (in.) | — | std |
| MY26 MSRP | std | — |
| Seating: 5 | — | std |
| Shoulder Room, Front (in.) | — | std |
| Shoulder Room, Rear (in.) | — | std |
Exterior21 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs) | std | — |
| Height (in.) | — | std |
| Height (inches) | std | — |
| Length (in.) | — | std |
| Length (inches) | std | — |
| Overall Width with Mirrors (in.) | — | std |
| Overall Width without Mirrors (in.) | — | std |
| Standard tire type | std | — |
| Tires (Optional) | — | opt |
| Tires (Standard) | — | std |
| Tires: front/rear | std | — |
| Track width front (inches) | std | — |
| Track width rear (inches) | std | — |
| Wheel size and design | std | — |
| Wheelbase (in.) | — | std |
| Wheelbase (inches) | std | — |
| Wheels (Optional) | — | opt |
| Wheels (Standard) | — | std |
| Wheels: front/rear | std | — |
| Width (inches) | std | — |
| Width w/mirrors (inches) | std | — |
| Curb Weight (lbs.) | std | std |
| Drag Coefficient (Cd.) | std | std |
Powertrain41 differ · 42 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| quattro® all-wheel drive | — | std |
| 0-100 km/h (secs.) Est. | — | std |
| 0-60 mph (secs.) Est. | — | std |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph, w/Launch Control (sec) | std | — |
| Acceleration 1/4 mile, w/Launch Control (sec) | std | — |
| Bore (mm): 82.5 | — | std |
| Cell type | std | — |
| Charge Time, 0% -100% SoC @ 9.6 kW (hrs) | std | — |
| Charge Time, 10% -80% SoC @ 150 kW (min) | std | — |
| Charge Time, 10% -80% SoC @ 270 kW (min) | std | — |
| Compression Ratio :1 | — | std |
| Cylinder Head: Aluminum alloy | — | std |
| Drivetrain | std | — |
| Drivetrain Configuration: Transverse | — | std |
| Energy Content, gross/net (kWh) | std | — |
| Engine Type: 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl / 2.5L TFSI 5 cyl | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (City) | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (Combined) | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (Highway) | — | std |
| Fuel Capacity (gal.): 14.5 | — | std |
| Gear Ratios :1 | — | std |
| Maximum Regenerative Braking Force | std | — |
| Motor type, front/rear | std | — |
| MPGe (combined, city/hwy) | std | — |
| Pack configuration | std | — |
| Pack weight (lbs) | std | — |
| Peak Power (HP) | — | std |
| Peak Torque (lb.-ft) | — | std |
| Power to weight ratio (lbs/hp) | std | — |
| Powertrain Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first | — | std |
| Pulse Inverter Amperage, front/rear | std | — |
| Range (miles) | std | — |
| Recommended Fuel: Premium | — | std |
| Stroke (mm): 92.8 | — | std |
| Top Track Speed (km/h) | — | std |
| Total Displacement (cc) | — | std |
| Total maximum power, hp | std | — |
| Total maximum torque (lb.-ft.) | std | — |
| Transmission type, front/rear | std | — |
| Transmission: 7-speed S-tronic® transmission | — | std |
| Valvetrain: 16-valve DOHC with Audi valvelift and variable timing | — | std |
| Top Track Speed (mph) | std | std |
Chassis20 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Body Construction: Unitary steel | — | std |
| Caliper color | std | — |
| Caliper type | std | — |
| Front axle | std | — |
| Front Brakes | — | std |
| Front Suspension: Mcpherson strut front axle | — | std |
| Number of pistons (front/rear) | std | — |
| Parking Brake: Electro-mechanical | — | std |
| Rear axle | std | — |
| Rear Brakes | — | std |
| Rear Suspension: Four-link rear suspension | — | std |
| Rotor construction | std | — |
| Rotor diameter (front/rear) mm | std | — |
| Rotor thickness (front/rear) mm | std | — |
| Steering ratio | std | — |
| Steering Ratio :1 | — | std |
| Steering system | std | — |
| Steering Type: Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance | — | std |
| Turning Circle (ft. Curb-to-Curb) | — | std |
| Turning circle (ft) | std | — |
Cargo4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area volume (cu.-ft.) front | std | — |
| Cargo area volume (cu.-ft.) rear | std | — |
| Cargo Volume, with seatbacks fixed (cu. ft.): 8.3 | — | std |
| Payload, maximum (lbs) | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPPorsche Taycan
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Audi A3
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $105,800 (base trim) | $40,100 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $105,800 – $243,700 16 trims | $40,100 – $66,100 3 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Taycan Performance Battery | A3 quattro |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 91 | 28 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $850 | $2,750 |
| EV range | 274 mi | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Porsche Taycan or the 2026 Audi A3?
The Audi A3 wins clearly, 81.9 to 65.5, on tech & comfort, price, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Audi A3 scores 81.9 and the 2026 Porsche Taycan 65.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Porsche Taycan or the 2026 Audi A3?
The 2026 Audi A3 starts lower — $40,100 against $105,800, a gap of $65,700 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Porsche Taycan or the 2026 Audi A3?
2026 Porsche Taycan: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Audi A3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Porsche Taycan and the 2026 Audi A3?
Where the 2026 Audi A3 wins: it lists 2 standard driver-assist features against 0, lists more comfort and tech equipment (11 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and starts $65,700 lower ($40,100 against $105,800 base MSRP). Where the 2026 Porsche Taycan answers: it is rated 91 combined against 28 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($850 against $2,750). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.