Audi A5 vs. BMW M3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A5 and BMW M3 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 A5 and the BMW M3.
In comparing the Audi A5's and the BMW M3's specifications and ratings, the Audi A5 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The BMW M3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi A5's and the BMW M3's specifications and ratings, the Audi A5 is a better car than the BMW M3.
Pricing: A used 2025 Audi A5 ranges from $49,391 to $58,675 while a used 2025 BMW M3 is priced between $81,919 to $109,870. For a new model, the Audi A5's price is between $53,155 and $59,472, with the BMW M3 priced between $83,110 and $112,475.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A5 loses 52.5 percent of its value and the BMW M3 loses 54.2 percent of its value. This means the Audi A5 retains 1.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A5 is 7.7 out of 10 while the BMW M3's quality rating is 7.3 out of 10. This results in the Audi A5 being ranked 9 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW M3 being ranked 20 out of 36.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A5 is 7.8 out of 10. For the BMW M3 the reliability rating is 7.0 out of 10. This gives the Audi A5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A5’s base engine makes 268 horsepower, and the BMW M3 base engine makes 473 horsepower. The A5 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 459 miles. The M3 is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 359 miles. This gives the Audi A5 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW M3. Both models use premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
53155 - 59472
Starting MSRP:
49700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
49451
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33000 - 79900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
83110 - 112475
Starting MSRP:
76700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
49451
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33000 - 79900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
55534
Price Range:
49391 - 58675
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
51959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
34107 - 95081
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
95081
Price Range:
81919 - 109870
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
51959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
34107 - 95081
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
26242
Depreciation %:
0.52800586
Resale Value $:
23458
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.51356376
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.34749831 - 0.55942423
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.51356376
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.34749831 - 0.55942423
Audi A5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW M3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9952336161408148
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.96382201764952
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.4
Audi A5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
4 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
27 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 36BMW M3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 32Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A5 Trim Levels
quattro Premium Plus TFSI, quattro Premium TFSI, quattro Prestige TFSI
BMW M3 Trim Levels
Base, Competition, Competition 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):
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
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:
268 hp
Torque:
295 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque:
406 foot-lbs @ 2650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.123 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 / 31 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
326 / 459 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
250 / 359 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention 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
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention 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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
22.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
16.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4090 lbs
Width:
82.6 inches
Height:
57 inches
Length:
190.1 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3840 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.6 inches
Length:
189.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18XL
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Firmament Blue Metallic / Horizon Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic
Red
Grenadine Red Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Green
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
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
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic / Toronto Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White / Frozen Brilliant White Metallic
Green
Isle of Man Green Metallic
Yellow
Sao Paulo Yellow
Interior Colors
Beige
Pearl Beige w/ Gray Stitching
Black
Black w/ Gray Stitching
Brown
Muscat Brown w/ Gray Stitching
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Tartufo
Blue
Fjord Blue/Black / Yas Marina Blue/Black w/ Yellow Accent
Gray
Silverstone/Black
Orange
Kyalami Orange/Black
Red
Fiona Red/Black
White
Ivory White
