2025 Audi A4 vs. 2026 BMW 3 Series

Car Chomper says the most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Audi A4 and the 2026 BMW 3 Series is fuel economy, with the BMW delivering a 5 mpg advantage in combined ratings, 31 versus 26, supporting its higher $47,500 MSRP compared to the Audi's $44,100, while the A4 has a slight edge in raw power at 261 hp versus the 3 Series's 255 hp, though the BMW counters with 295 lb-ft of torque against the Audi's 273, and the 3 Series offers substantially greater cargo space at 16.9 cubic feet versus the A4's 12, with the Audi using standard all-wheel drive and a 7-speed automated manual versus the BMW's rear-wheel-drive layout and conventional 8-speed automatic. Car and Driver ranks the BMW 3-series #1 in Best Compact Luxury Cars ahead of the Genesis G70 and Audi A5, saying BMW left the seventh-generation 3-series alone for 2026 as it gears up to introduce an eighth generation next year, with the four-cylinder 330i proving its worth by winning two comparison tests against other sports sedans.

Which to choose, and why

More power for the A4, more torque and mpg for the 3-Series

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the A4 has a slight edge in raw power at 261 hp versus the 3 Series's 255 hp, though the BMW counters with 295 lb-ft of torque against the Audi's 273, and the BMW delivers a 5 mpg fuel-economy advantage at 31 combined versus the A4's 26.

Standard AWD versus more cargo space

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Audi uses standard all-wheel drive and a 7-speed automated manual versus the BMW's rear-wheel-drive layout and conventional 8-speed automatic, while the 3 Series offers substantially greater cargo space at 16.9 cubic feet versus the A4's 12.

The 3-Series is ranked #1 in its class

Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) ranks the BMW 3-series #1 in Best Compact Luxury Cars ahead of the Genesis G70 and Audi A5, saying BMW left the seventh-generation 3-series alone for 2026 as it gears up to introduce an eighth generation next year, with the four-cylinder 330i proving its worth by winning two comparison tests against other sports sedans.

Questions buyers ask

Which has better fuel economy, the Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the 3-Series, at 31 combined mpg versus the A4's 26.

Is a new BMW 3-Series coming soon?

Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says yes, an eighth generation arrives next year.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Audi A4: 3 records · BMW 3 Series: 4 records.

Decision field	Audi A4	BMW 3 Series
Exact EPA records	3	4
Model / option labels	3	4
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid	2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, 3L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S7)	Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Premium	Premium
EPA classes	Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons	Compact Cars
Combined efficiency	26–29 MPG/MPGe	29–31 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2750–3050 per year	$2550–2750 per year

Head to head

Audi A4 vs. BMW 3 Series: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Audi A4	BMW 3 Series
Starting price (KBB base)	$43,295	$49,350
Top trim price (KBB base)	$52,595	$65,650
Horsepower	201-261 hp	255-386 hp
Torque	273 lb-ft	295-398 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.2 sec	4.1-5.6 sec
Curb weight	n/a	3,644-4,008 lb
Length	187.5 in	185.9 in
Wheelbase	111 in	112.2 in
Cargo volume	12 cu ft	16.9 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2025 and 2026 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Audi A4 starts $6,055 lower: $43,295 against $49,350 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the BMW 3 Series leads: 386 hp against 261 hp.
On peak torque, the BMW 3 Series leads: 398 lb-ft against 273 lb-ft.
The BMW 3 Series is quicker to 60 mph: 4.1 sec against 5.2 sec.
On length, the Audi A4 leads: 187.5 in against 185.9 in.
On wheelbase, the BMW 3 Series leads: 112.2 in against 111 in.
On cargo volume, the BMW 3 Series leads: 16.9 cu ft against 12 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series.

2025 Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a line of luxury compact executive cars produced from 1994 to 2025 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The A4 has been built in five generations and is based on the Volkswagen Group B platform. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80.

Awards: Cars.com 2018 Luxury Car of the Year 2016 Best Premium Car - Fleet News Japan Car of the Year Award (Import Category - 2016) Kelly Blue Book Best Buy Award 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist 2017 What Car Car of the Year 2016

Source: Audi A4 (Wikipedia)

Safety. In the Euro NCAP safety and crash tests, the Audi B5 A4 received 3 stars for front- and side-impact protection, but the last star is flagged to indicate that the driver may be subjected to a high risk of chest injury in the side impact. Adult occupant = Pedestrian = (pre 2002 rating)

Performance. MMI system (Multi Media Interface) (multi-mode interface of driver information and entertainment systems); (3rd generation MMI expected in vehicles produced from week 22 of 2009).

NHTSA rated the 2025 Audi A4 overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Audi A4, most often about tires (1), electrical system (1), air bags (1).

2026 BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.

Source: BMW 3 Series (Wikipedia)

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2025Audi A43 configurations →02 · 2026BMW 3 Series4 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2025 Audi A4 or the 2026 BMW 3 Series?

Efficiency

The 2026 BMW 3 Series lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30 vs. the 2025 Audi A4's 27.5 MPG/MPGe).