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Audi A1 vs BMW 3 Series Saloon comparison

Compare performance (207 HP vs 530 HP), boot space and price (20,000 £ vs 39,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A1 or BMW 3 Series Saloon?

Audi A1 vs BMW 3 Series Saloon: Key differences

Audi A1

2.4 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • clearly lighter
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BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • considerably more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • visibly more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

A1

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Audi A1 is clearly cheaper – starting at 20,000 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 19,971 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Audi A1 with 5.2 L/100km. The difference is about 2.8 L/100km.

3 Series Saloon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers considerably more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 207 HP. That’s roughly 323 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Audi A1 takes 6.5 s. That’s about 3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers clearly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 320 Nm. That’s about 380 Nm more.

A1

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A1 is clearly lighter – 1,175 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 400 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers visibly more boot space – 480 L compared to 335 L. That’s a difference of about 145 L.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 3 Series Saloon carries barely more – 495 kg compared to 470 kg. That’s a difference of about 25 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,900
3 Series Saloon

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • Engine Type : Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 150 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 96 - 101 km
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Audi A1

The Audi A1 is a compact premium hatch that wraps Audi's polished design and surprisingly grown-up cabin into a city-friendly package. It’s poised and fun to drive, a smart pick for buyers who want luxury flair without the fuss of a bigger car — and it makes tight parking feel almost enjoyable.

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Reviews Audi A1

2.4 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

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Reviews BMW 3 Series Saloon

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Audi A1
BMW 3 Series Saloon

Costs and Consumption
Price
20,000 - 28,800 £
Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
Consumption L/100km
5.2 - 6.4 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
118 - 146 g/km
co2
54 - 227 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,175 - 1,365 kg
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Trunk capacity
335 L
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,740 - 1,756 mm
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 470 kg
Payload
405 - 495 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
95 - 207 HP
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 11.5 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
175 - 320 Nm
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
70 - 152 kW
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
Brand
Audi
Brand
BMW
What drivetrain options does the Audi A1 have?

The Audi A1 is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.