2017 head-to-head · Compact Car
2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed dual-clutch · 83 MPGe + 34 MPG
RWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 71 MPGe + 30 MPG
The 2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,493 a year to fuel (83 MPGe + 34 MPG), versus $1,722 for the 2017 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid (71 MPGe + 30 MPG). That's roughly $229 a year, or about $1,144 over five years.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid | BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,493 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,722 |
| 83 MPGe + 34 MPG | Combined efficiency | 71 MPGe + 30 MPG |
| 81 MPGe / 33 MPG | City | 66 MPGe / 28 MPG |
| 86 MPGe / 36 MPG | Highway | 78 MPGe / 34 MPG |
| 41 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 47 kWh |
| 380 mi | Driving range | 350 mi |
| 16 mi | All-electric range | 14 mi |
| 89 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 9 cu ft |
| 158 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 189 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2.5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 380 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 350 miles for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (96 vs. 89 cu ft); the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (14 vs. 9 cu ft).
Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 16th and the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid 27th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid or the 2017 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid. The Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid is rated 83 MPGe + 34 MPG combined and the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid 71 MPGe + 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs. the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,493 for the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid and $1,722 for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid: about 380 miles versus 350 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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