Audi A4 vs BMW X3

Audi A4

The fifth-generation A4 on the longitudinal MLB Evo platform.

VS

BMW X3

The third-generation X3 on the rear-drive CLAR platform.

First car

Second car

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs B48 20i · Petrol

	Audi A4	BMW X3
Power	190 hp Winner	184 hp
Torque	320 Nm Winner	290 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,3 s Winner	8,3 s
Top speed	240 km/h Winner	215 km/h
Power-to-weight	129,3 hp/t Winner	105,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	137 g/km Winner	154 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	6,0 L/100km Winner	6,8 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi A4	BMW X3
Boot	480 L	550 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	1.600 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,73 m	4,71 m
Width	1,84 m	1,89 m
Height	1,43 m	1,68 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A4	BMW X3
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	8-speed automatic (ZF)
Euro standard	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d-TEMP (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A4

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics on early 2.0 TDI
AdBlue/SCR issues on EA288 diesels
MMI (MIB2) infotainment can reboot or freeze

BMW X3

EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage

Pros

Audi A4

Class-leading interior quality & finish
Efficient, quiet EA288 diesel
Composed ride with optional quattro

BMW X3

Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
Strong, efficient B-series engines

Cons

Audi A4

Firm ride on S line + big wheels
Less engaging steering than the 3 Series

BMW X3

Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
Pricier than most rivals

Compare specific generations

B9 · 2015 – 2024 vs G01 · 2017 – 2024 Compare

Verdict

Pick this one if…

Audi A4

Pick the A4 for class-leading interior quality, a quiet ride and efficient engines in a premium compact executive sedan.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (190 hp diesel) — the thrifty, torquey sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW X3

Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The xDrive20d (190 hp diesel) — the thrifty, torquey sweet spot.

Read the full guide

For sale at dealers

Audi A4

23 for sale · from € 8.890

Audi A4

Audi A4 40 TFSI · Camera · CarPlay · Navigation

05/2021 66.863 km Petrol 150 kW (204 hp) Euro 6d

Audi A4

Audi A4 35 TFSI · S line · CarPlay · Navigation · LED

06/2019 133.938 km Petrol 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6d

Audi A4

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI · Panoramic roof · 360° camera · CarPlay

03/2021 94.000 km CNG 125 kW (170 hp) Euro 6d-TEMP

Garage des Chaufours SRL

Audi A4

Audi A4 30TDi · CarPlay · LED · Leather

08/2021 113.747 km Diesel 100 kW (136 hp) Euro 6d

Bayern Motors NV

BMW X3

33 for sale · from € 6.950

BMW X3

BMW X3 sDrive18 · Keyless · Leather

08/2015 267.140 km Diesel 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6b

BMW X3

BMW X3 xDrive30e · electric · Camera · CarPlay · LED

11/2022 115.439 km Electric 215 kW (292 hp) Euro 6d

Bayern Motors NV

BMW X3

BMW X3 xDrive20I · Camera · CarPlay · LED

01/2025 21.756 km Petrol 153 kW (208 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X3

BMW X3 electric · M-Sport · 360° camera · CarPlay · LED

02/2026 13.785 km Electric 215 kW (292 hp) Euro 6e