2020 Audi S3 vs. 2020 BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2020 Audi S3 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 S3 and the 2020 BMW 3 Series.
In comparing the 2020 Audi S3's and the 2020 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Audi S3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The 2020 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the 2020 Audi S3's and the 2020 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2020 BMW 3 Series is a better car than the 2020 Audi S3.
Pricing: A used 2020 Audi S3 ranges from $23,813 to $37,100 while a used 2020 BMW 3 Series is priced between $18,490 to $42,999.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2020 Audi S3 loses 48.3 percent of its value and the 2020 BMW 3 Series loses 51.4 percent of its value. This means the 2020 Audi S3 retains 3.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2020 BMW 3 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2020 Audi S3’s base engine makes 288 horsepower, and the 2020 BMW 3 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower. The S3 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 421 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 S3. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2020 BMW 3 Series, a compact car, 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 S3 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:
43000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
49286
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
32800 - 99950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
40750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
41892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
25900 - 53950
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
31234
Price Range:
23813 - 37100
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
36833
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
23460 - 70600
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
58240
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
28302
Price Range:
18490 - 42999
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
28861
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21549 - 40914
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
487
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
68960
# Good or Great Deals:
159
Audi S3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 Audi S3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
8.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
8.4 - 8.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.5 - 15.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8123503142913677
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
1.8 - 6.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
31.53767565406809
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 31.5
Audi S3 Rankings
Ranking
12 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 35Ranking
18 out of / 35Ranking
19 out of / 35Ranking
21 out of / 30Ranking
35 out of / 35Ranking
35 out of / 35BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
12 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
21 out of / 35Ranking
21 out of / 35Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2020 Audi S3 Trim Levels
2.0T quattro Premium, 2.0T quattro Premium Plus
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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
288 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 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:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
319 / 421 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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
Paddle Shifters:
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
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
Paddle Shifters:
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
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:
10 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:
3494 lbs
Width:
77.2 inches
Height:
54.8 inches
Length:
175.8 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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
Ara Blue Crystal Effect / Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect / Nano Gray Metallic / Quantum Gray
Red
Tango Red Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic
Brown
Not available
Orange
Not available
Silver
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
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Brown
Vermont Bronze Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Red
Magma Red w/ Anthracite Stitching
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Decor Stitching
Red
Not available
Beige
Canberra Beige / Canberra Beige/Black w/ Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha w/ Contrast Stitching
Gray
Oyster w/ Decor Stitching
