2021 head-to-head · Small SUV

2021 Audi Q3 vs BMW X3 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,860/ year to fuel
25 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,064/ year to fuel
60 MPGe + 24 MPG

AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 60 MPGe + 24 MPG

The 2021 Audi Q3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,860 a year to fuel (25 MPG), versus $2,064 for the 2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid (60 MPGe + 24 MPG). That's roughly $204 a year, or about $1,020 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Audi Q3
  • BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid

Side by side

Audi Q3BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid
$1,860 Your annual fuel cost $2,064
25 MPG Combined efficiency 60 MPGe + 24 MPG
22 MPG City 59 MPGe / 21 MPG
30 MPG Highway 61 MPGe / 27 MPG
— Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 56 kWh
— Driving range 340 mi
— All-electric range 18 mi
84 cu ft Passenger volume —
17 cu ft Cargo volume —
350 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 204 g/mi
5/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 9/10
— Charge time at 240V 3 hrs
Gas Powertrain Plug-in hybrid
Regular gasoline Fuel Premium gas + electricity
2.0L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
8-speed automatic Transmission 8-speed automatic
AWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ 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 Q3 vs BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid across model years

  • Audi Q3
  • BMW X3 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

Among 92 2021 small SUVs, the Audi Q3 ranks 50th and the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid 61st for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Audi Q3 is a conventional gas model, while the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Audi Q3 or the 2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid?

Measured by cost to drive, the Audi Q3. The Audi Q3 is rated 25 MPG combined and the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid 60 MPGe + 24 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Audi Q3 vs. the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,860 for the Audi Q3 and $2,064 for the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid.

Audi Q3 vs BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid in other years

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