Compare the2022 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2022 Audi A3

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Arteon has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Arteon SEL Premium has a standard Overhead View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The A3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Arteon has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Arteon has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A3.

Both the Arteon and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Arteon the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 212 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A3 has not been tested, yet.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Arteon for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A3.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Arteon’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 30th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 99 more horsepower (300 vs. 201) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Arteon has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Arteon has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Quattro’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons).

For better traction, the Arteon has larger tires than the A3 (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R17).

The Arteon’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A3’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A3. The Arteon’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the A3.

The Arteon has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Arteon’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the A3 (111.9 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Arteon is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the A3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Arteon a Large car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Arteon has 9.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (96.5 vs. 87).

The Arteon has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 5 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Arteon’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The A3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Arteon’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Both the Arteon and the A3 have standard heated front seats. The Arteon SEL Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the A3.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Arteon SEL Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The A3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Arteon SEL Premium’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Arteon SEL Premium has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the A3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Arteon has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the A3.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Arteon, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Arteon outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 25% during the 2021 model year.