Compare the2026 BMW 3 Series SedanVS 2025 Audi A5

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the A5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A5.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 3 Series Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 73 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The M340i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 118 more horsepower (386 vs. 268) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 295) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW 3 Series Sedan is faster than the Audi A5:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better mileage than the A5:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 3 Series Sedan uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The A5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 3 Series Sedan has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (15.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 3 Series Sedan higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Audi A5 (4). This means the 3 Series Sedan produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A5 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 3 Series Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

For better stopping power the M340i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the A5:

The 3 Series Sedan’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A5’s optional 40 series tires.

The 3 Series Sedan offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The 3 Series Sedan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 3 Series Sedan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.1% to 47.9%) than the A5’s (56% to 44%). This gives the 3 Series Sedan more stable handling and braking.

The 330i handles at .95 G’s, while the A5 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M340i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the A5 (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 3 Series Sedan’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the A5’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The 3 Series Sedan xDrive’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the A5’s (39.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The BMW 3 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 450 pounds less than the Audi A5.

The 3 Series Sedan is 4.2 inches shorter than the A5, making the 3 Series Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 3 Series Sedan amounts to more than styling. The 3 Series Sedan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is significantly lower than the A5 (.3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 3 Series Sedan get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 3 Series Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 3 Series Sedan has .7 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the A5.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 3 Series Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A5 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 3 Series offers cargo security. The A5’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 3 Series Sedan has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 3 Series Sedan is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by 35% during 2024.