Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2023 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q3 and X3 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X3’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the X3.

Both the Q3 and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X3’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Q3 45 TFSI gets better fuel mileage than the X3 M40i (21 city/28 hwy vs. 21 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X3 (5 to 7). This means the Q3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X3 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Q3’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Q3 stops shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R20).

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the X3 M40i xDrive pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Q3’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the X3’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Q3 is 9.3 inches shorter than the X3, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Insurance will cost less for the Q3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q3 will cost $315 to $3355 less than the X3 over a five-year period.

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 50.79% to 50.87% of its original price after five years, while the X3 only retains 49.78% to 50.55%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the X3 because it costs $272 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the X3, including $225 less for a water pump, $825 less for a muffler, $64 less for front brake pads, $16 less for a starter, $145 less for fuel injection, $281 less for a fuel pump, $320 less for a timing belt/chain and $440 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q3 will be $8647 to $16953 less than for the BMW X3.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q3 and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.