Compare the2026 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2025 Audi S3

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 4 Series Gran Coupe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 S3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The S3 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 4 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 4 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 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 S3.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 73 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 58 more horsepower (386 vs. 328) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 295) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the S3:

			MPG
4 Series Gran Coupe
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/35 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/34 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/31 hwy
S3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 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.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S3 (15.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Audi S3 (4). This means the 4 Series Gran Coupe produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S3 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S3.

For better stopping power the M440i Gran Coupe xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S3:

	M440i Gran Coupe xDrive	S3
Front Rotors	14.7 inches	14.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.2 inches

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the S3 (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R18). The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S3 (F:245/40R19 & R:255/40R19 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe offers optional 20-inch wheels. The S3’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the S3 (112.4 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the S3.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.4% to 49.6%) than the S3’s (58% to 42%). This gives the 4 Series Gran Coupe more stable handling and braking.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 4 Series Gran Coupe a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (91 vs. 87).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside 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 S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The S3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 4 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 4 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.

The BMW 4 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 S3.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the S3 have standard heated front seats. The 4 Series Gran Coupe also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the S3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 4 Series Gran Coupe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the 4 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 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Audi charges extra for Homelink® on the S3.

Compared to traditional radio, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe’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 S3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 4 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S3.

The 4 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. The S3’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Audi S3 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe first among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The S3 isn’t in the top three.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over two to one during 2024.