2015 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2015 Audi A3 Diesel vs BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed dual-clutch · 35 MPG
RWD · 0.6L 2-cyl · Single-speed · 117 MPGe + 39 MPG
The 2015 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $905 a year to fuel (117 MPGe + 39 MPG), versus $1,586 for the 2015 Audi A3 Diesel (35 MPG). That's roughly $680 a year, or about $3,402 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 Diesel
- BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Audi A3 Diesel | BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,586 | Your annual fuel cost | $905 |
| 35 MPG | Combined efficiency | 117 MPGe + 39 MPG |
| 31 MPG | City | 127 MPGe / 41 MPG |
| 41 MPG | Highway | 107 MPGe / 37 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 29 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 150 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 72 mi |
| 86 cu ft | Passenger volume | 84 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 292 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 40 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 4 hrs |
| Diesel | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Diesel | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 0.6L 2-cyl |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | Single-speed |
| FWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ 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 Diesel vs BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Audi A3 Diesel
- BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid
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 i3 Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (15 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 36 2015 subcompact cars, the Audi A3 Diesel ranks 9th and the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid 4th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Audi A3 Diesel is a diesel, while the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Audi A3 Diesel or the 2015 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid. The Audi A3 Diesel is rated 35 MPG combined and the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid 117 MPGe + 39 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Audi A3 Diesel vs. the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,586 for the Audi A3 Diesel and $905 for the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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