2025 Audi RS 3 vs 2025 BMW 4 Series

$63,400 · Sedan

$51,150 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Audi RS 3 and the 2025 BMW 4 Series is the $12,250 MSRP gap, with the BMW starting at $51,150 compared to the Audi's $63,400. This price differential is accompanied by a substantial 139 horsepower advantage for the Audi, which delivers 394 hp against the BMW's 255 hp. Conversely, fuel economy favors the BMW significantly, boasting a Combined MPG of 31 versus the RS 3’s 23 MPG, translating to 8 MPG better efficiency on premium unleaded fuel. Furthermore, cargo utility heavily favors the BMW 4 Series Coupe, offering 15.5 cubic feet compared to the RS 3 Sedan's mere 8.3 cubic feet. While the Audi features an All-Wheel Drive system paired with a 7-speed automated manual, the BMW employs a standard Rear-Wheel Drive setup with an 8-speed automatic transmission, illustrating fundamentally different performance and usage propositions.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 BMW 4 Series

The 2025 BMW 4 Series wins for commuting due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 31 combined MPG compared to the Audi RS 3’s 23 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 BMW 4 Series

The 4 Series offers nearly double the utility with 15.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the RS 3’s 8.3 cu ft, despite being a coupe.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi RS 3

The Audi RS 3 is the choice for performance enthusiasts, offering 394 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque against the BMW's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series presents better overall value due to its $12,250 lower starting MSRP and better fuel efficiency.

Choose the Audi RS 3 if...

Maximum straight-line acceleration and top-tier power output (394 hp) are primary requirements.
The specialized grip and handling characteristics of an All-Wheel Drive system paired with a 7-speed automated manual are preferred.
A high-performance, compact sedan body style is specifically desired, regardless of the $63,400 MSRP.

Choose the BMW 4 Series if...

Lower running costs via better fuel efficiency (31 combined MPG) are critical for daily driving.
Maximum trunk space (15.5 cu ft) is necessary for carrying luggage or gear.
A significantly lower initial investment of $51,150 is a primary purchasing constraint.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi RS 3	BMW 4 Series
Length	178.5"	187.9"
Width	72.9"	72.9"
Height	54.8"	54.6"
Wheelbase	103.6"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	BMW
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	—
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Integrated Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 5	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	394 hp	255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque	369 lb-ft	295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	20	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	BMW
Transmission Type	7-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/30 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	290.0/435.0 mi.	434.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.5 gal.	15.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Sonos	—
Stereo Power	680W	205W
Speaker System	15	10
Surround Audio	Discrete	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	12 months
Subwoofer Count	—	2
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Front Head Room	36.8 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.2 in.	41.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	55.1 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	36.6 in.	35.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.2 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.0 in.	51.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	Performance	—
Tire Size	✓	225/45R18
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Audi	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	BMW
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi RS 3 and 2025 BMW 4 Series.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Audi RS 3 and the BMW 4 Series?

The Audi RS 3 holds a commanding lead in power, generating 394 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The BMW 4 Series produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 139 hp deficit for the BMW.

How does the drivetrain affect daily usability between these two vehicles?

The Audi RS 3 uses All-Wheel Drive with a 7-speed automated manual for optimized traction in varied conditions. In contrast, the BMW 4 Series utilizes a traditional Rear-Wheel Drive setup with an 8-speed shiftable automatic, typical of standard coupe configurations.

Is the price difference justified by the performance gains in the Audi RS 3?

The Audi commands an extra $12,250 over the BMW's MSRP. While it offers substantially more power, buyers must weigh this against the BMW's 8 MPG combined fuel economy advantage.

Which vehicle is more practical for carrying cargo on long trips?

The BMW 4 Series Coupe offers 15.5 cubic feet of cargo space, making it substantially more practical than the Audi RS 3 Sedan, which is limited to only 8.3 cubic feet.