Compare performance (400 HP vs 530 HP), boot space and price (27,700 £ vs 39,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Limousine or BMW 3 Series Saloon?
In the realm of compact luxury sedans, the Audi A3 Limousine and the BMW 3er Limousine are two formidable contenders. With the 2024 models gracing the roads, both automobiles embody the pinnacle of German automotive engineering. Let's delve into their technical aspects and innovations to see how they stack up against each other in this closely fought contest.
The Audi A3 Limousine offers a diverse array of engine choices, including diesel, petrol, and petrol mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) options, pushing the boundaries of efficiency and performance. Power ranges from a modest 116 HP for its diesel iteration to an exhilarating 400 HP in the high-performance variant. Acceleration capabilities reflect this diversity, spanning from a leisurely 10.1 seconds to a remarkable 3.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h.
The BMW 3er Limousine, on the other hand, raises the stakes with its array of engine types, including diesel MHEV, petrol, plug-in hybrid, and petrol MHEV. The engine power spectrum is broader, with outputs from 150 HP all the way up to a roaring 530 HP. Acceleration is similarly impressive, with the most agile variant clocking in at just 3.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
The Audi A3's dimensions convey compact elegance, measuring between 4504 mm and 4533 mm in length, and featuring a stylish width of 1816 mm to 1851 mm. It comfortably seats five, and while its trunk capacity ranges from 321 liters to 425 liters, its sleek silhouette remains consistent.
In contrast, the BMW 3er boasts a slightly larger stature, ranging in length from 4713 mm to 4801 mm, offering a more spacious feel both outside and inside. Its trunk capacity flexes impressive utility, from 375 liters to a generous 480 liters—great for those who seek roomy luggage space in a high-performance sedan.
Both the Audi A3 Limousine and the BMW 3er Limousine showcase advancements in automotive technology. The Audi employs its MHEV systems to optimize fuel efficiency, bringing down consumption to 4.8 L/100km at its most efficient. Meanwhile, the BMW 3er takes it a step further with its plug-in hybrid option, which can achieve fuel consumption as low as 0.8 L/100km, paired with an electric range reaching up to 101 kilometers.
Ultimately, choosing between the Audi A3 Limousine and the BMW 3er Limousine depends on prioritizing different features. The Audi excels in combining style and a rich palette of performance options with an emphasis on agile urban driving. Meanwhile, the BMW offers robust power options and a touch of future-forward technology with its hybrid models, catering to those who demand versatile performance with an eco-conscious approach.
Both of these German masterpieces—whether you're drawn to Audi's clean sophistication or BMW's dynamic prowess—redefine luxury in the compact sedan segment, ensuring every journey is an experience to remember.
Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.
Audi A3 Limousine is significantly cheaper – starting at 27,700 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12,257 £.
Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Audi A3 Limousine with 4.4 L/100km. The difference is about 2 L/100km.
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 noticeably more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 130 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is marginally quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Audi A3 Limousine takes 3.8 s. That’s about 0.3 s quicker.
There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers clearly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 200 Nm more.
Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?
Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.
In terms of curb weight, Audi A3 Limousine is a bit lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 215 kg.
Looking at boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers slightly more boot space – 480 L compared to 425 L. That’s a difference of about 55 L.
When it comes to payload, the BMW 3 Series Saloon carries marginally more – 495 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 15 kg.
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.
The Audi A3 sedan dresses up compact practicality in clean, premium lines, giving you the feel of an upscale small car with a proper boot. Inside it’s neat, driver-focused and nicely finished — a sensible, enjoyable daily companion that prefers poise over showy theatrics.
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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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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
27,700 - 58,300 £
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Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
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Consumption L/100km
4.4 - 9.2 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Electric Range
-
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Electric Range
96 - 101 km
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
19.5 kWh
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co2
115 - 208 g/km
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co2
54 - 227 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L
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Dimensions and Body |
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Body Type
Sedan
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Body Type
Sedan
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Seats
5
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Seats
5
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Doors
-
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Doors
4
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Curb weight
1,360 - 1,640 kg
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Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
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Trunk capacity
321 - 425 L
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Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
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Length
-
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Length
4,713 mm
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Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
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Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
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Height
-
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Height
1,440 - 1,446 mm
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Payload
415 - 480 kg
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Payload
405 - 495 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
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Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
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Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
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Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
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Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
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Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
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Power HP
116 - 400 HP
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Power HP
150 - 530 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
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Max Speed
-
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Max Speed
218 - 250 km/h
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Torque
220 - 500 Nm
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Torque
250 - 700 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
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Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
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Power kW
85 - 294 kW
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Power kW
110 - 390 kW
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Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
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Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
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General |
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Model Year
2,025
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Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
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CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, E, G
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CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
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Brand
Audi
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Brand
BMW
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Deutschland
France
Nederland
Great Britain
Sverige
Danmark
Suomi
Italia
Polska
España