2025 Audi RS 3 vs 2026 BMW 4 Series

$63,400 · Sedan

$52,600 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Audi RS 3 explodes onto the scene, demanding attention with its 394 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive, making its 7-speed automated manual transmission a thrill seeker's dream, even if it only offers 8.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Conversely, the 2026 BMW 4 Series Coupe appeals with a smoother, slightly longer chassis at 187.9 inches and a far more approachable base price, starting at $52,600, versus the RS 3's $63,400 MSRP. While the BMW’s 255 horsepower trails the Audi significantly, its greater efficiency—evidenced by its better, albeit unquantified, MPG compared to the RS 3's 23 combined—and larger 15.5 cu ft trunk offer practicality. The raw power deficit, a full 139 hp separating the two machines, ultimately defines the character difference between the tiny, ferocious sedan and the elegant, rear-wheel-drive cruiser.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 BMW 4 Series

The 2026 BMW 4 Series offers superior comfort and efficiency for daily driving, evidenced by its larger cargo capacity of 15.5 cu ft compared to the RS 3's small 8.3 cu ft.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW 4 Series

Despite both being smaller vehicles, the BMW 4 Series Coupe offers substantially more storage space at 15.5 cu ft versus the RS 3's 8.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi RS 3

The 2025 Audi RS 3 dominates purely on performance metrics, boasting 394 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive, far exceeding the BMW's 255 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series delivers a $10,800 lower initial MSRP and better inherent fuel economy for daily driving duties.

Choose the Audi RS 3 if...

You demand raw, exhilarating acceleration enabled by 394 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
You prioritize maximum traction in all conditions, thanks to the standard all-wheel drive system.
You prefer the immediate, direct shifting feel of a 7-speed automated manual transmission.

Choose the BMW 4 Series if...

You are looking to save over ten thousand dollars on the initial purchase, with an MSRP of $52,600.
You require greater practicality, benefiting from 15.5 cu ft of trunk space versus the RS 3’s 8.3 cu ft.
You prefer the classic balance and road manners provided by a rear-wheel-drive platform and an 8-speed automatic.

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	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	290.0/435.0 mi.	0/0 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	✓	✓
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	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 2026 BMW 4 Series.

How much faster is the 2025 Audi RS 3 than the 2026 BMW 4 Series?

The Audi RS 3 holds a massive advantage with 394 horsepower compared to the BMW 4 Series’ 255 horsepower, translating to a 139 hp difference. This raw power disparity ensures the RS 3 offers substantially quicker acceleration times across most metrics.

Is the difference in price worth the performance upgrade in the RS 3?

The Audi RS 3 commands a $10,800 premium over the BMW 4 Series, priced at $63,400 versus $52,600. Whether this is 'worth it' depends entirely on whether you prioritize the RS 3's segment-leading engine fury over the BMW's everyday usability.

Which vehicle is better suited for long highway commutes?

The 2026 BMW 4 Series is likely the better commuter choice due to its larger trunk capacity (15.5 cu ft vs. 8.3 cu ft) and likely better fuel economy metrics than the RS 3's stated 23 combined MPG. Furthermore, the BMW uses a traditional 8-speed automatic which is often smoother in stop-and-go traffic than the RS 3’s automated manual.

Does the body style significantly impact cargo space?

Yes, significantly, as the BMW 4 Series is specified as a Coupe while the RS 3 is a Sedan. The Coupe variant on the BMW still manages to offer nearly double the usable space at 15.5 cu ft compared to the Audi's 8.3 cu ft capacity.

What are the fueling implications for these two premium cars?

Both vehicles require premium unleaded fuel. However, the RS 3 is likely thirstier, given its high-output engine and 23 combined MPG rating, whereas the 4 Series, with lower horsepower, should see fewer fill-ups over the same distance.

What is the primary difference in handling dynamics between the two?

The Audi RS 3 utilizes an all-wheel-drive system paired with its aggressive engine, maximizing grip and acceleration out of corners. In contrast, the BMW 4 Series relies on a traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, which purists often prefer for its balance and steering feedback.