Compare the2025 BMW X3VS 2025 Audi A4 Allroad

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X3 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The X3 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 A4 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A4 Allroad.

Both the X3 and the A4 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras 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 BMW X3 is safer than the Audi A4 Allroad:

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4 Allroad.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 85 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

The X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A4 Allroad’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 132 more horsepower (393 vs. 261) and 155 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 273) than the A4 Allroad’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the A4 Allroad:

The X3 has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 Allroad (17.2 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Audi A4 Allroad (4). This means the X3 produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A4 Allroad every 15,000 miles.

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 A4 Allroad.

For better stopping power the X3 M50 xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A4 Allroad:

The X3 stops much shorter than the A4 Allroad:

For better traction, the X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A4 Allroad (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 245/45R18).

The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 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 A4 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the A4 Allroad. The X3 offers optional 21-inch wheels.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the A4 Allroad (112.8 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A4 Allroad.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the A4 Allroad Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 30 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A4 Allroad Premium Plus (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A4 Allroad (8.3 vs. 6.5 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is 2 inches higher than on the A4 Allroad (8.5 vs. 6.5 inches).

The X3 has 9.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 Allroad (101.4 vs. 92).

The X3 has 3.1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4 Allroad.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The A4 Allroad’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the A4 Allroad with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 24.2 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the A4 Allroad with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 58.4 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X3 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The X3’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A4 Allroad only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The A4 Allroad’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X3’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 BMW X3 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the A4 Allroad.

Compared to traditional radio, the BMW X3’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the A4 Allroad.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the A4 Allroad Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The A4 Allroad Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The BMW X3 outsold the Audi A4/S4 by over 9 to one during 2024.