2017 head-to-head · Compact Car
2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs BMW 3 Series Diesel
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 · 1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed dual-clutch · 83 MPGe + 34 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, the most efficient 2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid (83 MPGe + 34 MPG) costs about $1,493 a year to fuel and the 2017 BMW 3 Series Diesel (36 MPG) about $1,542.
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 Plug-in Hybrid
- BMW 3 Series Diesel
Side by side
| Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid | BMW 3 Series Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,493 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,542 |
| 83 MPGe + 34 MPG | Combined efficiency | 36 MPG |
| 81 MPGe / 33 MPG | City | 31 MPG |
| 86 MPGe / 36 MPG | Highway | 43 MPG |
| 41 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 380 mi | Driving range | — |
| 16 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 89 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 158 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 285 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| 2.5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Diesel |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Diesel |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| 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 Plug-in Hybrid vs BMW 3 Series Diesel across model years
- Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid
- BMW 3 Series Diesel
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 3 Series Diesel has more passenger space (96 vs. 89 cu ft); the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (14 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 16th and the BMW 3 Series Diesel 22nd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the BMW 3 Series Diesel is a diesel.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid or the 2017 BMW 3 Series Diesel?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid. The Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid is rated 83 MPGe + 34 MPG combined and the BMW 3 Series Diesel 36 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs. the BMW 3 Series Diesel per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, about $1,493 for the Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid and $1,542 for the BMW 3 Series Diesel.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid vs BMW 3 Series Diesel in other years
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