Audi A3 vs. BMW 4 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A3 and BMW 4 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 Audi A3 and the BMW 4 Series.
When we compare the Audi A3's and the BMW 4 Series's specifications and ratings, the Audi A3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and overall quality score. The BMW 4 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 4 Series's specifications and ratings, the BMW 4 Series is a better car than the Audi A3.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A3 loses 51.6 percent of its value and the BMW 4 Series loses 57 percent of its value. This means the Audi A3 retains 5.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 4 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A3 is 7.7 out of 10 while the BMW 4 Series' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Audi A3 being ranked 14 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW 4 Series being ranked 19 out of 36.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A3 is 7.3 out of 10. For the BMW 4 Series the reliability rating is 7.4 out of 10. This gives the BMW 4 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 4 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the BMW 4 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Audi A3 has the advantage in the area of rear leg room. The Audi A3 and BMW 4 Series are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Audi A3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
40100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48679
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33400 - 78400
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
56686 - 75540
Starting MSRP:
50600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48679
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33400 - 78400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
53319
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
44192 - 62446
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
53319
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
44192 - 62446
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Audi A3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
BMW 4 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.7
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.009
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 4 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.024
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Audi A3 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
22 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
35 out of / 36BMW 4 Series Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
36 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A3 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI
BMW 4 Series Trim Levels
430i, 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, M440i, M440i Gran Coupe, M440i xDrive, M440i xDrive Gran Coupe
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:
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
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:
201 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 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):
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
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
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
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:
8.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
87.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
16.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
91.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3417 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
177.3 inches
Wheelbase:
103.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3898 lbs
Width:
81.6 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
188.5 inches
Wheelbase:
112.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 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 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Arrow Grey Pearl Effect / Manhattan Gray Metallic
Green
District Green Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey II Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Cape York Green Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment Beige w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Santos Brown w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Red Highlight
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
