2026 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2026 Audi A3 vs BMW 2 Series
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 28 MPG
The 2026 BMW 2 Series is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,911 a year to fuel (31 MPG), versus $2,116 for the 2026 Audi A3 (28 MPG). That's roughly $205 a year, or about $1,024 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 A3
- BMW 2 Series
Side by side
| Audi A3 | BMW 2 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,116 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,911 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 31 MPG |
| 24 MPG | City | 27 MPG |
| 34 MPG | Highway | 39 MPG |
| 87 cu ft | Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| 8 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 323 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 279 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| AWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ 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 vs BMW 2 Series across model years
- Audi A3
- BMW 2 Series
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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW 2 Series has more passenger space (91 vs. 87 cu ft); the BMW 2 Series has more cargo space (12 vs. 8 cu ft).
Among 26 2026 subcompact cars, the Audi A3 ranks 9th and the BMW 2 Series 7th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Audi A3 or the 2026 BMW 2 Series?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 2 Series. The Audi A3 is rated 28 MPG combined and the BMW 2 Series 31 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Audi A3 vs. the BMW 2 Series per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,116 for the Audi A3 and $1,911 for the BMW 2 Series.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW 2 Series, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 8 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi A3 vs BMW 2 Series in other years
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