Compare the2024 Hyundai SonataVS 2024 Audi A3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sonata are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Sonata 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 Sonata has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A3.

The Sonata’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sonata and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The A3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A3.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonata’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 84 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 8 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (290 vs. 201) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Sonata uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A3 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Sonata has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sonata has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Quattro’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Sonata, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A3.

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The A3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Sonata N Line’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A3:

For better traction, the Sonata N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 (245/40R19 vs. 225/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sonata N Line has standard 19-inch wheels. The A3’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sonata’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the A3 (111.8 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata is 3 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A3.

The design of the Hyundai Sonata amounts to more than styling. The Sonata has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the A3 (.29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Sonata get better fuel mileage.

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

The Sonata has 17.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (104.4 vs. 87).

The Sonata has 3.2 inches more front headroom, 4.9 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

The Sonata has a much larger trunk than the A3 (15.6 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Sonata’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Sonata and the Audi A3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Sonata outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over three to one during 2023.