What else can you buy for the price of the 2017 Audi A3?

Audi has launched the refurbished A3 sedan for a price tag beginning from Rs 30.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the entry-level petrol trim and going all the way up to Rs 35 lakh for the top-spec diesel car. While you may think the prices have been hiked, Audi has done away with the Premium trim and offers only the Premium Plus and the Technology pack trims. For this kind of money, you are looking at something truly luxurious and something that would make a statement. So here is a list of cars that you should have a look at before you go out to buy the new Audi A3.

First up, we have the big boys – the large seven-seat full-size SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner, the Ford Endeavour and the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Ford Endeavour is our favourite among the lot, especially because the top-spec 3.2-litre automatic 4x4 variant fits in exactly for the price of the petrol A3 and is also the most powerful of the three big boys. Its simple butch lines look graceful despite its size and it does make the new Fortuner and the Santa Fe look fragile. The Fortuner, given the Toyota DNA, is anything but fragile and comes in at just over Rs 31 lakh for the top-spec 4x4 automatic. The Santa Fe, at almost Rs 33 lakh, is priced slightly above the Audi A3 diesel Premium Plus.

Next in line are the D-segment sedans. It is a two-way fight here between the Skoda Superb and the Toyota Camry as the Honda Accord has gone too far with their price tag and Volkswagen’s ship that is ferrying the Passat is still circling in Bermuda. The Superb and the Camry are limousines, measuring almost five metres in length with enough legroom in the back to seat an eight-footer basketball player. Both the cars are certainly more luxurious than the A3, and offer more of everything except for the brand image the German carmaker provides.

Moving on to the luxury brands, the Mercedes CLA is directly in competition with the Audi A3. But at the price of the top-spec A3, you could get yourself the diesel FWD Audi Q3 as well. Spend a little bit more and the Mercedes GLA and the BMW X1 are well within your reach. Being crossover SUVs, they have more space with almost similar powertrains and are better suited for Indian roads. Also, as a status symbol, SUVs make so much more sense when you can extend your budget a little.

Amongst others, you have the Volvo S60 – a bigger and better sedan than the Audi A3 and if you want something really exclusive, you also have the V40 Cross Country. The wagon-like hatchback is luxurious as well as frugal to run, but finding a place to service it is a pain if you do not live in the metros. In that case, you could opt for the Mini Countryman, the petite chic SUV. It is powered by a diesel engine and offers almost similar cabin space as the Audi A3. But it has better ground clearance and might make you a favourite among the ladies.