Audi S3 vs BMW 3 Series

The short version

The BMW 3 Series is more fuel-efficient: 31 vs 26 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $500 a year less in fuel for the BMW 3 Series (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW 3 Series is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the BMW 3 Series has had fewer recall campaigns (4 vs 12).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi S3 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 177 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,483 lb.

The 2026 BMW 3 Series is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,494 lb (3-Series 330i Xdrive 4dr Sedan).

Buying used? The 2024 S3 and the 2024 3 Series have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2022 S3.