Audi A3 vs Peugeot 308

Audi A3

Audi’s premium compact hatchback.

Peugeot 308

Peugeot’s comfortable, low-running-cost compact hatchback.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A3

Pick the A3 for a premium, digital interior and efficient engines in a compact hatch.

Best engine: The 35 TFSI (petrol) or 35 TDI (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 308

Pick the 308 for a comfortable, efficient, sharply priced compact with a large used supply.

Best engine: The 1.2 PureTech (petrol) or 1.5/2.0 BlueHDi (diesel) — go for a post-2017 car.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 evo 35 TFSI · Petrol vs 1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol

	Audi A3	Peugeot 308
Power	150 hp Winner	130 hp
Torque	250 Nm Winner	230 Nm
0–100 km/h	8,4 s Winner	9,4 s
Top speed	224 km/h Winner	205 km/h
Power-to-weight	116,3 hp/t Winner	104,8 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	126 g/km	118 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,5 L/100km	5,0 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A3	Peugeot 308
Boot	380 L	412 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.200 L	1.270 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,64 m	2,68 m Winner
Length	4,34 m	4,37 m
Width	1,82 m	1,85 m
Height	1,45 m	1,44 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A3	Peugeot 308
Platform	MQB Evo (transverse, shared with the VW Golf VIII)	PF2 (T7) · EMP2 (T9/P51, modular)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI · PHEV	1.2 PureTech · 1.6 THP · 1.5/1.6/2.0 BlueHDi · Hybrid · e-308
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid · Electric
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	5/6-speed manual · 4/6/8-speed automatic
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 4 (T7 early) · Euro 5 (T7 later) · Euro 6/6d (T9/P51)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6/6d petrol/diesel and the e-308 allowed in the LEZ

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A3

Infotainment software (early cars)
S tronic service (DQ200 models)
Cooling system needs checking
DPF on diesels

Peugeot 308

1.2 PureTech: wet timing belt needs strict intervals
BlueHDi: AdBlue/SCR and DPF need monitoring
1.6 THP (early T7/T9): timing chain

Pros

Audi A3

Premium, digital interior
Efficient engines (48V mild-hybrid)
Stiff, light MQB Evo body

Peugeot 308

Comfortable and quiet for the class
Efficient, wide engine range (including e-308)
Sharply priced with a large used supply

Cons

Audi A3

Pricier than the VW Golf on the same platform
Rear seats tighter than some rivals

Peugeot 308

Cabin and rear seat tighter than some rivals
i-Cockpit needs adjustment (small wheel, high dials)

Driving experience

Audi A3

Precise, polished and genuinely premium for a compact hatch. Steering is quick and accurate, body control taut, and the A3 feels agile and planted through bends. Front-drive keeps it light and easy, while quattro adds tenacious grip and a more sure-footed feel on the faster versions. The ride is firm but composed, and the cabin stays impressively quiet for the class. The 1.5 TFSI is smooth and eager, the 2.0 TDI pulls strongly and sips fuel, and the 40 TFSI e plug-in glides on electric power. The 7-speed S tronic is quick and slick, the manual precise. Overall a refined, tech-rich compact that drives with real poise.

Peugeot 308

The P51 leans on the same EMP2 bones as the old 308 but wears a sharper suit. It stays light and low, so the front axle turns in keenly and the car flows through corners without fuss, while the long wheelbase keeps it planted on the motorway. The small i-Cockpit wheel and raised dials are even more pronounced here and take a real acclimatisation; once settled, the steering feels quick and accurate and body roll stays well held. Most versions ride on a comfort-tuned rear that shrugs off broken tarmac, though big wheels firm things up. The 1.2 PureTech 130 is eager, the e-308 is near-silent and instant, and the EAT8 automatic shifts without drama. It is a composed, easy compact, not a hot hatch.