Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Audi A6 Allroad

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A6 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A6 Allroad.

The X3’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X3 and the A6 Allroad 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Audi A6 Allroad:

	X3	A6 Allroad
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	197
Neck Injury Risk	21%	30%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	322 lbs.
Neck Compression	64 lbs.	64 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	292/435 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	176	354
Neck Injury Risk	38%	41%
Neck Stress	139 lbs.	228 lbs.
Neck Compression	72 lbs.	98 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	263/331 lbs.

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

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 BMW X3 is safer than the Audi A6 Allroad:

	X3	A6 Allroad
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	135
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	153 lbs.	174 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	135
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	281	395

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

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A6 Allroad.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The A6 Allroad isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

Engine

The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (382 vs. 335) than the A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the X3 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Audi A6 Allroad:

	X3	A6 Allroad
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	5.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	11.1 sec	13.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.9 sec	5.8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.5 sec	3 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.1 sec	3.9 sec
Quarter Mile	12.8 sec	13.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	107 MPH	102 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	129 MPH

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6 Allroad.

Brakes and Stopping

The X3 stops much shorter than the A6 Allroad:

	X3	A6 Allroad
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The A6 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the A6 Allroad Prestige pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A6 Allroad Prestige (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X3’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the A6 Allroad’s (39.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A6 Allroad Premium Plus (8 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the A6 Allroad Prestige (8 vs. 7.3 inches).

Chassis

The BMW X3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 400 pounds less than the Audi A6 Allroad.

The X3 is 9 inches shorter than the A6 Allroad, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The X3 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A6 Allroad’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Model Availability

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 will cost $3670 to $6575 less than the A6 Allroad over a five-year period.

The X3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X3 will retain 49.78% to 50.55% of its original price after five years, while the A6 Allroad only retains 42.05% to 42.6%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X3 will be $19388 to $28518 less than for the Audi A6 Allroad.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Audi A6 Allroad, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by almost seven to one during the 2021 model year.