Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series: quattro or rear-wheel drive
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Audi · 2015–2024
A4 B9
- Power
- 140 kW190 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.7 s
- Top speed
- 210 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,565 kg
BMW · 2018–present
3 Series G20
- Power
- 140 kW190 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.1 s
- Top speed
- 240 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,525 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: A4 B9 0 3 Series G20 5
- Family 3 Series G20 Boot: 480 l vs 460 l
- City 3 Series G20 Consumption: 4.9 l/100 km vs 5.2 l/100 km
- Long trips 3 Series G20 Range: 816 km vs 769 km (estimated)
- Performance 3 Series G20 0–100 km/h: 7.1 s vs 7.7 s
- Running costs 3 Series G20 Fuel per year: €1,210 vs €1,290 (estimated)
Verdict Opinion
As a new-car decision this is now a choice between the 3 Series and the Audi A5 that replaced the A4. As used cars, the facelifted B9 A4 from 2019 and the G20 3 Series are evenly matched: identical 140 kW diesels, five-star safety and a choice of saloon or estate.
The BMW is the better car for drivers who enjoy rear-wheel-drive handling and want a plug-in hybrid or a straight-six. The Audi suits buyers who prefer quattro traction, the Avant estate, or the RS4 Avant as a family car with 331 kW.
- Felix Hartmann
The Audi A4 appeared in November 1994 as the successor to the Audi 80, almost two decades after the E21, BMW's first 3 Series of 1975. For thirty years the two shared the same buyers: company-car drivers, families who wanted a premium badge without a large car, and enthusiasts who argued about front-wheel drive, quattro and rear-wheel drive.
That direct contest has now changed shape. Audi renamed its mid-size line in 2024, so the B9 of 2015 was the last car sold as the A4 in Europe and its successor carries the A5 badge. The BMW 3 Series continues as the G20, sold since March 2019. The comparison below sets the last A4 against the current BMW.
Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series: B9 and G20 in detail
Drive layout
The A4 has a longitudinal engine with front-wheel drive as standard and quattro all-wheel drive as an option on stronger versions. The 3 Series is rear-wheel drive, with xDrive available on many models. Rear-wheel drive is the traditional choice of keen drivers, while quattro adds traction on snow.
Diesel engines
At the heart of both ranges sits a four-cylinder diesel with exactly the same output. The A4 40 TDI and the BMW 320d both produce 140 kW (190 PS). Audi's top diesel was the S4 TDI, whose 3.0 V6 delivers 255 kW (347 PS) and 700 Nm with the help of an electric compressor.
Petrol and plug-in versions
The petrol A4 range ran from the 35 TFSI with 110 kW (150 PS) to the 45 TFSI quattro with 185 kW. BMW starts at 115 kW in the 318i and offers the 330i with 190 kW. Only BMW has a plug-in hybrid in this pair, the 330e with 215 kW and a 12 kWh battery. The fastest models are the RS4 Avant with a 2.9-litre V6 of 331 kW (450 PS) and the M340i with a straight-six of 285 kW (387 PS).
G20 dimensions and estate versions
The G20 saloon is 4,709 mm long, its axles are 2,851 mm apart, and the boot takes 480 litres. The B9 grew slightly over the B8 while losing about 120 kg. Both are also sold as estates: the A4 Avant and the 3 Series Touring.
Five Euro NCAP stars for both
Euro NCAP awarded five stars to the A4 B9 in 2015 and to the G20 3 Series in 2019.
A4 prices in Germany (2019)
In Germany the facelifted A4 cost from €35,900 in 2019 as a 35 TFSI saloon with S tronic, or €33,600 with a manual gearbox.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | A4 B9 | 3 Series G20 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 526 | B · 563 |
| Power | 47 | 47 |
| Grip | 36 | 45 |
| Handling | 67 | 67 |
| Top speed | 42 | 54 |
| Launch | 44 | 48 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 3 Series G203 Series G20 · 320d · diesel · 140 kW (190 PS) 15.11 sat 149 km/h
- 2 A4 B9A4 B9 · 40 TDI · diesel · 140 kW (190 PS) 15.64 sat 144 km/h · +0.53 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| A4 B9 | 3 Series G20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,726 mm186.1 in † | 4,709 mm185.4 in −17 mm −0.7 in −0.4% |
| Width | 1,842 mm72.5 in † | 1,827 mm71.9 in −15 mm −0.6 in −0.8% |
| Height | 1,427 mm56.2 in † | 1,442 mm56.8 in +15 mm +0.6 in +1.1% |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm111.0 in † | 2,851 mm112.2 in +31 mm +1.2 in +1.1% |
| Kerb weight | 1,565 kg3,450 lb | 1,525 kg3,362 lb −40 kg −88 lb −2.6% |
| Boot | 460 l16.2 cu ft | 480 l17.0 cu ft +20 l +0.7 cu ft +4.3% |
| Fuel tank | 40 l10.6 gal US | 40 l10.6 gal US |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs A4 B9 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Audi A4 | BMW 3-Series | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | A4 B9 · 40 TDI · diesel · 140 kW (190 PS) | 3 Series G20 · 320d · diesel · 140 kW (190 PS) |
| Production years | 2015–2024 | 2018–present |
| Body | Sedan | Sedan |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 140 kW (190 PS) 188 hp | 140 kW (190 PS) 188 hp |
| Power, all versions | 66–331 kW (90–450 PS) 89–444 hp | 85–317 kW (116–431 PS) 114–425 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 400 Nm 295 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 7.7 s | 7.1 s Better |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 210 km/h 130 mph | 240 km/h 149 mph Better |
| Power per tonne | 90 kW/t 109 hp/ton calculated | 92 kW/t 112 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 2,000 cc 2.0 l | 1,995 cc · 4 cyl 2.0 l |
| Drive | No data | Rear-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,726 mm 186.1 in † | 4,709 mm 185.4 in |
| Width | 1,842 mm 72.5 in † | 1,827 mm 71.9 in |
| Height | 1,427 mm 56.2 in † | 1,442 mm 56.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm 111.0 in † | 2,851 mm 112.2 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,565 kg 3,450 lb | 1,525 kg 3,362 lb Better |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 460 l 16.2 cu ft | 480 l 17.0 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 40 l 10.6 gal US | 40 l 10.6 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 5.2 l/100 km 45.2 mpg US | 4.9 l/100 km 48.0 mpg US Better |
| CO₂ | 135 g/km | 129 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,290/year estimated | €1,210/year estimated Better |
| Range on a full tank | 769 km 478 mi estimated | 816 km 507 mi estimated Better |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | No data | ★★★★★ (2019) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (5): Body, Country, Power, Fuel, Fuel tank.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.65/l diesel. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
BMW 3-Series is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 7.1 s against 7.7 s for Audi A4. Audi A4 is 17 mm longer than BMW 3-Series (4,726 mm vs 4,709 mm). BMW 3-Series is lighter by 40 kg (1,525 kg vs 1,565 kg). BMW 3-Series has the bigger boot: 480 l against 460 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,290 (Audi A4), €1,210 (BMW 3-Series) (estimated). BMW 3-Series is the older design (from 1975); Audi A4 arrived in 1994. BMW 3-Series is still in production; Audi A4 is not. On the catalog figures, the BMW 3-Series is the pick for family, city, long trips, performance and running costs.
Which one to choose
Choose the Audi A4 if you drive in snow and want quattro, prefer the Avant estate, or are looking for a used S4 TDI or RS4 Avant.
Choose the BMW 3 Series if you want rear-wheel drive, a plug-in hybrid for short commutes, the M340i's straight-six, or a car that is still in production.
Running costs differ by engine more than by brand; our fuel cost calculator works it out for your mileage. Every A4 version is listed in the Audi catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi A4 still made?
Not in Europe. Under Audi's 2023 naming scheme combustion cars take odd numbers, so the 2024 successor carries the A5 (B10) badge. A long-wheelbase A4L was still sold in China in 2025.
Which is more powerful, the A4 40 TDI or the BMW 320d?
Neither. Both produce 140 kW (190 PS).
Is there a plug-in hybrid A4?
No. In this pair only the BMW offers one, the 330e with 215 kW and a 12 kWh battery.
Which is the fastest version?
The Audi RS4 Avant with 331 kW (450 PS). The strongest regular 3 Series is the M340i with 285 kW (387 PS); the M3 is a separate model.