The figures: Audi A2 e-tron vs Volkswagen ID.3 Neo vs Kia EV3
Lucas Cochrane
9 Sep 2026
The Audi A2 e-tron has finally broken cover! We’ve been lucky enough to both drive a camouflaged example on Danish roads and explore an uncovered A2 in a studio already. From its funky exterior that harks back to the quirk-stuffed A2 before it, to its premium, well designed interior, we love it. However, that got us thinking: how does it compare with the existing competition?
Until we get the chance to drive it back to back with some of its rivals, we thought we’d compare it on paper to two of the most significant C-segment heavy hitters out there. First up, the A2 e-tron's cousin, the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and secondly, our long-standing favourite, the Kia EV3. Both are still fresh, but as the new kid on the block, has the Audi A2 got what it takes to beat them? Read on to find out.
The A2 e-tron is arguably Audi’s most anticipated release of 2026. It’s by no means the fastest, nor the fanciest Audi on sale, but it’s certainly the most interesting new car to wear the four rings. Serving as the long-awaited entry-level option in the e-tron lineup, the A2 draws on the design of its 2000s forefather with rounded edges and a teardrop-shaped profile. Sadly, it doesn’t feature the same lightweight aluminium construction, but the similarities are more than skin deep.
The biggest inspiration taken from the original is its laser focus on efficiency. That old car was famed for getting up to 94mpg from its 1.2-litre diesel engine. Meanwhile, the new A2 claims efficiency ratings of up to 5.1m/kWh! In Ginny’s Danish test drive, the A2 e-tron got 4.4m/kWh despite the demands of shooting a video. Very encouraging indeed.
Having the strongest efficiency of the three on this list no doubt helps the A2 e-tron to achieve the longest range of any of the three too. Its 401 mile-range may not be unheard of in 2026 but getting that from a 79kWh battery is very impressive. If the A2 e-tron had the same size battery as a BMW iX3, it would beat that car’s range by some 54 miles! That’s providing we don’t take into account the extra weight penalty that comes with a bigger battery.
Don’t be fooled by the name, the ID.3 Neo doesn’t share that much more than a name and visual resemblance with its older brother the ID.3. The original ID.3 was released back in 2019 and while its range was strong, tech issues and touch-sensitive buttons annoyed reviewers and consumers alike. So with the new MEB+ platform, VW has set out to fix our complaints. From where we’re sitting, it looks like its efforts have worked! Alongside improvements to range, charging and efficiency, the ID.3 Neo has new smart looks, a revised interior and overhauled controls. Hurrah!
The keen-eyed among us may already know that the ID.3 Neo shares its underpinnings with the Audi A2 e-tron. To the rest of us, that may come as a surprise, because unlike even other platform-sharing vehicles in VW group’s own stable, there are some key differences between the two. Most notably, in range and efficiency. The ID.3 Neo falls some 10 miles short of the A2’s WLTP range despite the two having identical batteries. An efficiency rating of 4.9m/kWh isn’t bad by any measure, but it appears Audi’s engineers have worked some techno-wizardry to eke every last mile of range from the A2’s 79kWh of usable battery capacity.
The ID.3 Neo has a trick up its sleeve that could help it beat both the Kia EV3 and the Audi A2 e-tron… That comes in the form of the most famous abbreviation in performance cars. GTI. That’s right, the ID.3 GTI has been confirmed since April and it's set to be the spiritual successor to both the combustion-powered Golf GTI and the electric ID.3 GTX. We don’t yet know performance figures for the upcoming GTI but we don’t think it would be unfair to say it will probably trounce the other two cars on this list in terms of pure driving pleasure.
Oh old reliable, the Kia EV3. We’ve loved this thing since we first drove it back in 2024. For a car that’s been fundamentally unchanged since that release, the EV3 still holds up remarkably well! A theoretical maximum efficiency rating of 4.8m/kWh and a WLTP range of 375 miles may leave the EV3 trailing behind the A2 and the ID.3 Neo in two key stats, but we'll give it a chance just because of its bold looks and plucky charm. Not to mention, that’s just 0.1m/kWh behind the ID.3 Neo.
One area that being more of an SUV works in the EV3’s favour is in boot space. The EV3 gets an impressive 460 litres of space behind the rear seats which is some 66 litres more space than the Audi A2. The EV3 also gets a much more usable frunk at 23 litres versus the A2’s 13 litres. That means you can actually store your charging cables in there! Unlike in the A2 or the ID.3 Neo, which Nicki reckons has about enough space to store a single welly, or a bottle of wine. Take your pick…
While we wait to have a go in the ID.3 Neo GTI, the Kia EV3 GT has already broken cover and Nicola went to Norway to try it out. The GT is the sporty version of the EV3 and touts a more than sufficient 292hp, which is enough to shoot it to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds. It’s not the fastest thing in the world, but it’s a family SUV with enough grunt to put butterflies in your stomach when you press the accelerator. That GT trim also comes with the added benefit of sending power to all four wheels, a trait that neither the ID.3 Neo nor the A2 e-tron can match. While it won’t make much of a difference for most of the year, all-wheel drive and good winter tyres will pull you out of any inclement weather the UK can throw at you.
So which of these three family ferries wins?
Decisions, decisions! The low £30,000 range is a heavily congested market for EVs at the moment. That means competition between carmarkers is stronger than ever and with competition comes lower prices and better cars. The Kia EV3, VW ID.3 Neo and Audi A2 e-tron are perfect examples of that! None of them are perfect, but all three are excellent choices for the right buyers.
If you prioritise space above all else, the Kia EV3 is the only choice for you. It being an SUV may feel like a cheat code at first, but taking into account that it splits the pack on price and gets only marginally less range but still manages to be so much more spacious feels like a miracle. Not to mention, its interior is arguably just as strong as the Audi and the Volkswagen both in the build quality and tech departments. Having a bit more oomph at the top end helps it too, but that could change when the ID.3 GTI drops…
Speaking of which, the ID.3 Neo and the A2 e-tron are neck and neck when it comes to a number of metrics, the A2 edges out the ID.3 Neo in most of them though. Somehow, it still manages to beat the ID.3 Neo on price, but know that despite the starting price being lower, the A2 trim with the best range will command a premium. Watch this space to find out more detail on pricing as soon as we have it.
In short, whatever you use your family car for, there’s an option out there for you and the chances are, one of these three is your best bet.
