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Audi A4

BMW 3 Series vs Audi A4: Which Premium Saloon Suits You Best?

For U.S. shoppers, a new-car comparison is the 2026 BMW 3 Series versus Audi A5; the A4 remains a used-car option. Compare prices, powertrains, economy and practicality by exact version.

By CarCody Team 4 min read
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This comparison needs a model-year clarification for U.S. buyers: Audi’s 2026 luxury sedan is the A5, which replaces the A4 sedan and A5 Sportback. The A4 remains a relevant alternative on the used market, so the right comparison depends on whether you are shopping for a used A4 or a new Audi. The figures below identify the years and trims they describe rather than treating them as direct equivalents.

Are you comparing a used A4 or a new Audi?

For a new U.S. Audi, compare the 2026 A5 with the 2026 BMW 3 Series. Audi lists the A5 as its current luxury sedan, and Car and Driver describes it as the replacement for the A4 sedan and A5 Sportback. A 2025 A4 is therefore a used-car comparison, not a current 2026 new-car alternative.

For a used A4, narrow the comparison to the specific year, trim, engine, drivetrain, mileage, condition and local market. A well-kept example with useful service records is a different proposition from a similarly priced car with uncertain history; arrange a pre-purchase inspection rather than assuming the model name settles the choice.

How do the current U.S. models compare on price and power?

These figures come from different sources and configurations, so they are reference points rather than a matched dealer-price quote. Manufacturer starting prices are not necessarily transaction prices, and options can change the comparison.

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Model and version Starting price Power and drivetrain details
2026 BMW 330i Sedan $48,000 starting MSRP 255 hp; 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder; rear-wheel drive
2026 BMW 330i xDrive Sedan $50,000 starting MSRP 255 hp; all-wheel drive
2026 Audi A5 $50,200 starting price 268 hp, 295 lb-ft; quattro and seven-speed S tronic listed; Audi states 0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds

BMW’s prices and 330i specifications are from its 2026 3 Series model page; BMW says MSRP excludes taxes, title, license, registration and adjusted market value, and may not represent the dealer’s actual sale price. Audi’s 2026 A5 page lists its starting price and specifications, and notes that specifications may vary.

As a separately sourced, named-trim reference, Car and Driver’s database compares the 2025 Audi A4 Premium 40 TFSI quattro at $43,295 with the 2026 BMW 330i at $48,850. That BMW figure is not the same as BMW’s current $48,000 manufacturer starting MSRP; differences in source, configuration and timing mean the figures should not be blended into one price claim. Get local quotes for the exact cars and equipment you intend to buy.

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Which powertrain and drivetrain fit your priorities?

The closest current-model starting-point comparison is the BMW 330i’s turbocharged four-cylinder against the Audi A5’s listed four-cylinder powertrain. The A5 page specifies quattro, while the 330i is rear-wheel drive and BMW offers the 330i xDrive for buyers who want all-wheel drive. Compare the drivetrain you would actually buy, particularly if traction in your usual weather matters.

The M340i is a separate, higher-performance choice rather than a like-for-like 330i alternative. BMW lists 386 hp from its 3.0-liter inline-six with 48V mild-hybrid technology. Consider it if performance is the priority, but compare its price and equipment with an appropriately specified Audi rather than treating it as the base 3 Series.

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What do the fuel-economy figures establish?

Car and Driver’s comparison database displays EPA economy in combined/city/highway order for two explicitly named versions: 29/26/36 mpg for the 2025 Audi A4 Premium 40 TFSI quattro and 31/28/35 mpg for the 2026 BMW 330i. These are not same-model-year figures. BMW’s official 2026 330i page currently marks EPA fuel economy as TBA, so the comparison-page number should not be presented as BMW’s current official rating.

For the 2026 Audi A5, Car and Driver reports 39 mpg on its own 75-mph highway test route. That is a publication test result, not an EPA estimate, and it is not an apples-to-apples test against the BMW. Your driving mix and the exact version matter; these figures alone do not establish which car will cost less to run overall.

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Does the A5’s body shape change the practical choice?

The A5 is a liftback, which gives it a different cargo-opening format from a conventional sedan. Car and Driver notes the liftback’s practicality. If you regularly carry bulky items, compare the opening and loading height as well as nominal capacity, and check that your own luggage, child equipment or other routine cargo fits. The evidence here does not support a like-for-like cabin-space claim.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How should you make the final comparison?

  1. Set the market and model year. For a new U.S. Audi, put the 2026 A5 beside the 2026 3 Series; for an A4, identify the used car’s exact year and version.
  2. Match equipment and drivetrain. Compare a 330i with the Audi configuration you would buy, and distinguish rear-wheel-drive 330i from 330i xDrive. Treat the M340i as a higher-performance comparison.
  3. Request itemized local quotes. Match options and included equipment, then account for taxes, registration, dealer charges and any market adjustment rather than relying on starting MSRP alone.
  4. Compare economy on an equivalent basis. Use the exact year and version, distinguish EPA estimates from road-test results, and weigh the figures against your city, highway and mixed driving.
  5. Inspect a used A4 individually. Review service records, mileage, prior damage and any remaining warranty, then arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection.

The available figures do not establish a universal winner on reliability, maintenance or repair costs, insurance, resale value or total ownership cost. Those questions need evidence specific to the car, driver and market.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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