COMPARISON

Audi RS 3 Sportback vs BMW 520d xDrive

Full comparison of Audi RS 3 Sportback and BMW 520d xDrive: specifications, prices, performance and verdict.

Audi RS 3 Sportback

Audi RS 3 Sportback

Audi

62.000 EUR

VS
BMW 520d xDrive

BMW 520d xDrive

BMW

58.900 EUR

Specifications

Audi RS 3 SportbackBMW 520d xDrive
Power394 HP197 HP
Torque500 Nm400 Nm
0-100 km/h3.8 s7.3 s
Top speed280 km/h233 km/h
Price62.000 EUR58.900 EUR
Consumption9 L/100km5.3 L/100km
CO2 (WLTP)205 g/km140 g/km
DrivetrainAWDAWD
Seats55
Trunk335 L520 L
Reliability8/108.5/10

Visual summary

Power

Audi RS 3 Sportback
BMW 520d xDrive

Acceleration (0-100)

Audi RS 3 Sportback
BMW 520d xDrive

Price ratio

Audi RS 3 Sportback
BMW 520d xDrive
⚡ Fastest

Audi RS 3 Sportback

💪 Most powerful

Audi RS 3 Sportback

⚡ Most efficient

BMW 520d xDrive

Pros and cons

Audi RS 3 Sportback

  • ✓ Unique 5-cylinder engine
  • ✓ Exceptional Quattro AWD
  • ✓ Sporty handling
  • ✗ High fuel consumption
  • ✗ Limited rear space
  • ✗ High price

BMW 520d xDrive

  • ✓ Real diesel consumption of 5.3 L/100km
  • ✓ Range of over 1100 km with full tank
  • ✓ Spacious interior with premium materials
  • ✓ BMW OS 8.5 tech with curved display
  • ✓ xDrive AWD for any condition
  • ✓ Smooth 8-speed Steptronic transmission
  • ✗ Diesel engine less exciting than petrol
  • ✗ High price with options
  • ✗ Diesel engine noise when cold
  • ✗ Large dimensions for city parking
BUYING GUIDE

Which should you buy?

Buy Audi RS 3 Sportback if…

  • → Unique 5-cylinder engine
  • → Exceptional Quattro AWD
  • → Sporty handling

Buy BMW 520d xDrive if…

  • → Real diesel consumption of 5.3 L/100km
  • → Range of over 1100 km with full tank
  • → Spacious interior with premium materials
REAL COSTS IN SPAIN

Real costs in Spain

Audi RS 3 SportbackBMW 520d xDrive
Insurance€1400€2000
MOT€600€400
Maintenance€500€450
Consumption9 L/100km5.3 L/100km
Fuel/year€2363€1391
Total/year€6020€5010
Reliability8/108.5/10
DIMENSIONS

Dimensions

Audi RS 3 SportbackBMW 520d xDrive
Length4440 mm5060 mm
Width1810 mm1900 mm
Height1440 mm1515 mm
Wheelbase2630 mm2995 mm
Weight1575 kg1905 kg
Trunk (seats up)335 L520 L
Fuel tank55 L68 L
FOR THE BUYER

What matters most when deciding

Practical summary based on the two chosen models

🎯

Best for

Audi RS 3 Sportback: Performance and luxury

BMW 520d xDrive: Daily use

🎯

Drivetrain

AWD vs AWD

🎯

Seats

5 vs 5

🎯

Annual fuel savings

BMW 520d xDrive saves ~€972/year in fuel (15,000 km).

🎯

Price difference

Audi RS 3 Sportback costs €3100 more in purchase price.

⚠️

Insurance + maintenance

Audi RS 3 Sportback: €1900/year · BMW 520d xDrive: €2450/year (without fuel).

DETAILED ANALYSIS

Complete analysis

Detailed comparison between Audi RS 3 Sportback and BMW 520d xDrive.

Audi RS 3 Sportback

Engine type5-Cylinder Turbo (TFSI)
Cylinders5 cylinders
TurboTurbo
Torque500 Nm
Weight1575 kg
Chassis materialAluminum & Aluminum
Consumption9 L/100km
Range500 km
SuspensionMacPherson / Multi-link
DrivetrainAWD
TransmissionDual-Clutch 7 speeds
Maintenance cost€500
Reliability8/10

BMW 520d xDrive

Engine type2.0L Inline-4 Diesel TwinPower Turbo
Cylinders4 cylinders
TurboTwin-Turbo
Torque400 Nm
Weight1905 kg
Chassis materialAluminum & Aluminum
Consumption5.3 L/100km
Range968 km
SuspensionDouble Wishbone / Multi-link
DrivetrainAWD
TransmissionAutomatic 8 speeds
Maintenance cost€450
Reliability8.5/10
FEATURES

Equipment and features

Audi RS 3 Sportback

Exterior

  • Matrix LED headlights
  • RS bumpers and side skirts
  • RS exhaust system
  • 19-inch alloy wheels
  • RS sport suspension
  • Rear spoiler

Interior

  • RS sport seats
  • Flat-bottom steering wheel
  • Virtual Cockpit Plus
  • Bang & Olufsen audio
  • Climate control
  • Ambient lighting

Technology

  • MMI Navigation Plus
  • Audi Connect
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Android Auto
  • Wireless charging
  • Voice control

Safety

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane keep assist
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Electronic stability control
  • Hill hold assist
  • Tyre pressure monitoring

BMW 520d xDrive

Exterior

  • LED Headlights
  • Panoramic Glass Roof
  • 18-inch Alloy Wheels

Interior

  • Curved Display
  • Vernasca Leather
  • 3-Zone Climate

Technology

  • BMW OS 8.5
  • Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto

Safety

  • Driving Assistant Professional
  • Parking Assistant Plus
  • Lane Departure Warning
CONSUMPTION

Detailed consumption

Audi RS 3 SportbackBMW 520d xDrive
City11 L/100km6.2 L/100km
Highway7.5 L/100km4.8 L/100km
Combined9 L/100km5.3 L/100km
Calm driving7.5 L/100km4.5 L/100km
Sport driving13 L/100km7 L/100km
City range500 km968 km
Highway range733 km1250 km
DEPRECIATION

Residual value

Audi RS 3 SportbackBMW 520d xDrive
After 1 year€49.600 (80%)€47.120 (80%)
After 3 years€42.160 (68%)€40.052 (68%)
After 5 years€33.480 (54%)€31.806 (54%)
INTERIOR TECHNOLOGY

Interior technology

Audi RS 3 Sportback

RS materials

Nappa leather, Dinamica microfibre and brushed aluminium with contrast stitching.

MMI and Virtual Cockpit

10.1-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Bang & Olufsen

15-speaker system with 705 W and high-fidelity surround sound.

Ambient lighting

30 colours with RS ambiences and illuminated panels on dashboard and doors.

BMW 520d xDrive

Premium materials

High-grade upholstery, wood and aluminium in a sober, well-assembled cabin.

Sport seats

Seats with lateral bolstering, electric adjustment and heating for driver and passenger.

Ambient lighting

LED strips along the dashboard and doors with several selectable tones.

Head-Up Display

Projection of speed, navigation and assistance on the windshield.

Harman Kardon sound

Premium audio system with 16 speakers and surround sound.

3-zone climate control

Independent temperature control for driver, passenger and rear seats.

BMW iDrive 8.5

Curved touchscreen with voice control, navigation and full connectivity.

BEST PERFORMANCE

Audi RS 3 Sportback — most powerful

delivers 394 HP and estimated total cost €4263/year (fuel + insurance + maintenance).

View full review
Audi RS 3 Sportback
NEWS

Latest news about Audi RS 3 Sportback

Stay up to date with the latest news about Audi RS 3 Sportback: launches, updates, market trends and expert analysis.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable?

BMW 520d xDrive usually has better long-term mechanical reliability.

Which consumes less?

BMW 520d xDrive consumes less fuel than the Audi RS 3 Sportback.

Which is better for trips?

Audi RS 3 Sportback is more comfortable for long trips.

Verdict

Audi RS 3 Sportback vs BMW 520d xDrive: comparison of power, acceleration, price and fuel economy to help you decide.