2020 Audi A3 vs. 2020 BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2020 Audi A3 and 2020 BMW 3 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2020 Audi A3 and the 2020 BMW 3 Series.
When we compare the 2020 Audi A3's and the 2020 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Audi A3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and resale value. The 2020 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2020 Audi A3 and 2020 BMW 3 Series have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the 2020 Audi A3's and the 2020 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2020 BMW 3 Series is a better car than the 2020 Audi A3.
Pricing: A used 2020 Audi A3 ranges from $19,994 to $28,986 while a used 2020 BMW 3 Series is priced between $22,456 to $43,479.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2020 Audi A3 loses 48.3 percent of its value and the 2020 BMW 3 Series loses 50.1 percent of its value. This means the 2020 Audi A3 retains 1.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2020 BMW 3 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A3 is 8.2 out of 10 while the BMW 3 Series' quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Audi A3 being ranked 9 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW 3 Series being ranked 3 out of 36.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A3 is 7.1 out of 10. For the BMW 3 Series the reliability rating is 8.4 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series an advantage in reliability compared to the Audi A3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2020 Audi A3’s base engine makes 184 horsepower, and the 2020 BMW 3 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower. The A3 is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 475 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 562 miles. This gives the 2020 BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2020 Audi A3. The A3 uses regular unleaded, and the 3 Series uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the 2020 BMW 3 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2020 Audi A3 and the 2020 BMW 3 Series have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$41,892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$25,900 - $53,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$40,750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$41,892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$25,900 - $53,950
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,531
Price Range:
$19,994 - $28,986
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$32,136
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$22,644 - $45,083
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
86
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
45,966
# Good or Great Deals:
33
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,816
Price Range:
$22,456 - $43,479
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$32,136
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$22,644 - $45,083
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
355
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55,215
# Good or Great Deals:
121
Audi A3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 Audi A3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.1 - 10.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.1 - 10.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
12.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 27.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
27.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 27.1
Audi A3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
26 out of / 36Ranking
31 out of / 36Ranking
33 out of / 36Ranking
35 out of / 36BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2020 Audi A3 Trim Levels
Premium 40 TFSI, Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro S line Prem Plus 45 TFSI, quattro S line Premium 45 TFSI
2020 BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
184 hp @ 4400 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
356 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
406 / 562 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
12.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
86.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3197 lbs
Width:
77.2 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
175.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3589 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Cosmos Blue Metallic
Gray
Monsoon Gray Metallic / Nano Gray Metallic / Quantum Gray
Red
Tango Red Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic / Ibis White
Brown
Not available
Orange
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Brown
Vermont Bronze Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Chestnut Brown
Gray
Rock Gray/Gray
Red
Magma Red w/ Anthracite Stitching
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Decor Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha w/ Contrast Stitching
Gray
Oyster w/ Decor Stitching
Red
Not available
Beige
Canberra Beige / Canberra Beige/Black w/ Contrast Stitching
