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Audi A3 Sportback vs BMW 3 Series Saloon - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (400 HP vs 530 HP), boot space and price (27000 £ vs 39900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or BMW 3 Series Saloon?

Audi A3 Sportback

BMW 3 Series Saloon

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

A3 Sportback

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Audi A3 Sportback has a clearly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 27000 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12942 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Audi A3 Sportback manages with 1.10 L and is therefore clearly more efficient than the BMW 3 Series Saloon with 2.40 L. The difference is about 1.30 L per 100 km.

As for electric range, the Audi A3 Sportback performs noticeable better – achieving up to 141 km, about 40 km more than the BMW 3 Series Saloon.

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 has a distinct edge – offering 530 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 130 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is hardly perceptible quicker – completing the sprint in 3.50 s, while the Audi A3 Sportback takes 3.80 s. That’s about 0.30 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the BMW 3 Series Saloon performs barely noticeable better – reaching 250 km/h, while the Audi A3 Sportback tops out at 237 km/h. The difference is around 13 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: BMW 3 Series Saloon pulls distinct stronger with 700 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 200 Nm difference.

A3 Sportback

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 curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is somewhat lighter – 1360 kg compared to 1575 kg. The difference is around 215 kg.

In terms of boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers noticeable more room – 480 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 100 L.

When it comes to payload, BMW 3 Series Saloon minimal takes the win – 495 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 15 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Audi A3 Sportback sits well ahead of its rival 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.

Audi A3 Sportback
BMW 3 Series Saloon

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis
from about £27,000
A3 Sportback

Audi A3 Sportback

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 400 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 9.3 L
  • Electric Range : 134 - 141 km

Audi A3 Sportback

The Audi A3 Sportback wraps premium materials and crisp German design into a practical hatchback package that makes daily driving feel smart rather than showy. It’s nimble in the city, composed on longer trips, and carries just enough swagger to satisfy buyers who want quality without shouting about it.

details

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.

details
Audi A3 Sportback
BMW 3 Series Saloon

Costs and Consumption

Price
27000 - 56600 £
Price
39900 - 91000 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.50 kWh
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
54 - 227 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
4
Curb weight
1360 - 1685 kg
Curb weight
1575 - 1960 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Length
4352 - 4353 mm
Length
4713 - 4714 mm
Width
1816 - 1851 mm
Width
1827 - 1903 mm
Height
1441 - 1470 mm
Height
1440 - 1446 mm
Max trunk capacity
1100 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
405 - 495 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
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, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
225 - 237 km/h
Max Speed
218 - 250 km/h
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Engine capacity
1498 - 2480 cm3
Engine capacity
1995 - 2998 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
Brand
Audi
Brand
BMW
What drive types are available for the Audi A3 Sportback?

The Audi A3 Sportback is offered with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.