Compare the2025 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2025 Audi A3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 2 Series Gran Coupe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The A3 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The A3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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 A3’s blind spot costs extra.

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 A3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 A3.

There are over 14 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’ 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 228 Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (241 vs. 201) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 236) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The M235’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 111 more horsepower (312 vs. 201) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 236) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The A3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A3:

	228 sDrive	M235	A3
Front Rotors	13 inches	15.2 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13 inches	10.7 inches

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A3 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the M235’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 (235/40R19 vs. 225/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A3. The M235’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the A3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the A3 (105.1 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the A3 (12 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series Gran offers cargo security. The A3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The A3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’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 A3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 A3.

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 A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the A3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 2 Series Gran has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the A3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, 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 A3’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 54% during 2024.