Compare the2023 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Audi S3

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The S3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 S3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’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 S3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the S3 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 and available all wheel drive.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 S3.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The S3 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 295) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the S3:

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The S3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M235i) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the S3; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the S3 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the S3 (105.1 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has 3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S3 (15.1 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s trunk lift-over height is 24.5 inches, while the S3’s liftover is 26.7 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series Gran offers cargo security. The S3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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.

The S3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

On extremely cold winter days, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S3’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will be $3623 to $10615 less than for the Audi S3.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 18% during 2022.