2025 Audi S3 vs 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Audi S3 and the 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid presents a classic dilemma: raw performance versus long-term economy. The Audi S3 commands a significantly higher MSRP of $48,700, justified by its 328 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive performance capabilities. Conversely, the Prius undercuts the Audi by $15,325, offering incredible fuel savings with its 52 combined MPG rating, significantly eclipsing the S3's 26 combined MPG. While the S3 is quicker, featuring 295 lb-ft of torque, the Prius offers a crucial 45 miles of electric-only range for daily errands. Practicality also favors the Toyota, boasting 20.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Audiβs smaller 8.3 cu ft trunk, making the choice hinge on whether superior driving excitement or lower ownership costs takes priority for the typical driver.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
The Prius Plug-In Hybrid wins for commuters due to its stellar 52 combined MPG and 45 miles of pure electric driving, slashing daily fuel costs.
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
The Toyota Prius offers superior practicality with 20.3 cu ft of cargo space, substantially more than the Audi S3's 8.3 cu ft.
2025 Audi S3
The Audi S3 clearly appeals to enthusiasts with its 328 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, providing far more spirited performance.
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
With a $15,325 lower MSRP and drastically better fuel economy, the Prius offers far better value proposition.
Choose the Audi S3 if...
- You must have premium unleaded performance engineering backing a 7-speed automated manual transmission.
- You prioritize a more potent powertrain, headlined by 328 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer the security and handling advantages of standard all-wheel drive.
Choose the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You want to maximize fuel efficiency, benefiting from a 26 MPG advantage and a 45-mile EV range.
- Your budget needs to stay near the $33,375 MSRP mark, avoiding the Audi's higher price tag.
- You need hatchback utility, as 20.3 cu ft of cargo capacity easily beats the S3's sedan trunk.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Audi S3 | Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 177.4" | 181.1" |
| Width | 71.5" | 70.1" |
| Height | 55.7" | 55.9" |
| Wheelbase | 103.6" | 108.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | β | β |
| Lane Departure Warning | β | β |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | β | β |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | β | β |
| Post-Collision Safety System | β | β |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | β | β |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | β | β |
| Front Head Airbags | β | β |
| Rear Head Airbags | β | β |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | β | β |
| Electronic Stability Control | β | β |
| Traction Control System | β | β |
| LATCH System | β | β |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | β | β |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | β | β |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | β | β |
| Brake Assist | β | β |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | β | β |
| Automatic Headlights | β | β |
| LED Headlights | β | β |
| Daytime Running Lights | β | β |
| Headlight Washers | β | β |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | β | β |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Fixed Headrests | β | β |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | β | β |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | β | β |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | β | β |
| Engine Immobilizer | β | β |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | β | β |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | β | β |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | β | β |
| Headlight Delay-Off | β | β |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | β | β |
Engine
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 328 hp | 220 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | β |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | β | β |
Drive Train
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 7-speed automated manual | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | β |
Fuel
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 23/31 MPG | 53/51 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 52 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 333.5/449.5 mi. | 561.8/540.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 10.6 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | β | 140/115 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | β | 127 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | β | 45 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | β | 26 |
| Charging Time (240V) | β | 4.0 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | β | SAE J1772 |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | β | β |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Electric Power Steering | β | β |
| Rear View Camera | β | β |
| Front Parking Sensors | β | β |
| Rear Parking Sensors | β | β |
| Driver Assisted Parking Assist | β | β |
| Cruise Control | β | β |
| Front Cupholders | β | β |
| Rear Cupholders | β | β |
| Front Door Pockets | β | β |
| Rear Door Pockets | β | β |
| Front Seatback Storage | β | β |
| Leather Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Three Zone Climate Control | β | β |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | β | β |
| Interior Air Filtration | β | β |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | β | β |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | β | β |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | β | β |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Heated Steering Wheel | β | β |
| Single Zone Climate Control | β | β |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.1 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | β | β |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | β | β |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | β | β |
| USB Port | β | β |
| USB Port with External Media Control | β | β |
| Satellite Radio | β | β |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | β | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | β |
| Remote Keyless Entry | β | β |
| Heated Mirrors | β | β |
| Keyless Entry | β | β |
Frontseats
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 36.8 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.2 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 54.8 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | β | β |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | β | β |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | β |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | β | β |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | β |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | β |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | β | β |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | β |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | β |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | β |
| Front Hip Room | β | 54.7 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | β | β |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | β | β |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | β | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | β | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.6 in. | 36.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.2 in. | 35.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 53.0 in. | 52.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | β | β |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | β | β |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | β | β |
| Rear Hip Room | β | 51.7 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Tire Size | 225/40R18 | 195/60R17 |
| Run Flat Tires | β | β |
| Wheel Cover Type | β | β |
| Tire Type | β | All Season |
Suspension
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | β | β |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | β | β |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | β | β |
Warranty
| Feature | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | β | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | β | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi S3 and 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
How much more expensive is the Audi S3 compared to the Prius PHEV?
The 2025 Audi S3 has an MSRP of $48,700, which is $15,325 more than the 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid starting at $33,375.
Can the Prius keep up with the Audi in terms of acceleration?
No, the Audi S3 is significantly more powerful with 328 horsepower compared to the Priusβs 220 horsepower, meaning the Audi is clearly the faster car.
What are the differences in fuel requirements and economy?
The Audi S3 requires premium unleaded fuel and achieves 26 combined MPG, whereas the Prius runs on regular unleaded and delivers an outstanding 52 combined MPG.
Which vehicle offers better space for groceries or gear?
The Toyota Prius is far better for utility, offering 20.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, more than double the 8.3 cubic feet available in the Audi S3 sedan.
Is the Audi S3 the only one with AWD?
Yes, the 2025 Audi S3 comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid utilizes front-wheel drive.
How much electric-only range does the Prius offer daily?
The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid provides a practical 45 miles of zero-emission electric driving before the gasoline engine needs to engage.
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