Audi A3 vs. BMW 3 Series
When we compare the Audi A3's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Audi A3 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and overall quality score. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi A3's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Audi A3 vs. BMW 3 Series Pricing
For a new model, the Audi A3's price is between $38,692 and $46,746, with the BMW 3 Series priced between $47,938 and $68,615.
Audi A3 vs. BMW 3 Series Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A3 loses 48.8 percent of its value and the BMW 3 Series loses 52.3 percent of its value. This means the Audi A3 retains 3.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
Audi A3 vs. BMW 3 Series Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A3 is 8.7 out of 10 while the BMW 3 Series' quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Audi A3 being ranked 8 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW 3 Series being ranked 6 out of 36. Out of 30 Best Luxury Compact Cars, the Audi A3 is ranked 8 and the BMW 3 Series is ranked 6.
Audi A3 vs. BMW 3 Series Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A3 is 8.0 out of 10. For the BMW 3 Series the reliability rating is 8.4 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi A3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Audi A3’s base engine makes 201 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are compact cars, the 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, and cargo space. The Audi A3 and BMW 3 Series are comparable in regards to rear leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi A3 and the BMW 3 Series have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
38692 - 46746
Used Asking Price:
-
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.487828
Pricing
New Asking Price:
47938 - 68615
Used Asking Price:
47312 - 65946
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.522554
Audi A3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.719707 / 10
Reliability:
7.959123 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.686143 / 10
Reliability:
8.358429 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Audi A3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
30 out of / 30Ranking
30 out of / 30Ranking
31 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
35 out of / 36BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 30Ranking
31 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Audi A3 Trim Levels
Premium 40 TFSI, Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI
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
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
201 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
10.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
87.0 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:
3318 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
176.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18