Audi A6 vs BMW 3 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Audi A6 starts from $123,600 before on-road costs, while the BMW 3 Series opens at $94,700. That makes the BMW 3 Series the more affordable entry point by $28,900.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $135,960 and $104,170 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A6 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the BMW 3 Series gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A6 stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the BMW 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A6 gets leather upholstery while the BMW 3 Series offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi A6 and 2-zone in the BMW 3 Series.
Drivetrain
The Audi A6 uses a Diesel producing 210kW and 620Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds.
The BMW 3 Series responds with a Petrol making 190kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
The Audi A6 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 190kW. In the real-world sprint, the Audi A6 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi A6 measures 4,939mm long on a 2,924mm wheelbase, 230mm longer than the BMW 3 Series at 4,709mm (2,851mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 530L in the Audi A6 and 480L in the BMW 3 Series, giving the Audi A6 a 50L advantage.
For towing, the Audi A6 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.7m
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,967/year for the Audi A6 and $2,024/year for the BMW 3 Series. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Audi A6.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Audi A6) vs $2,024 (BMW 3 Series). The Audi A6 saves you roughly $57 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A6) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A6 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Audi A6 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. The Audi A6 will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Audi A6 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A6 and BMW 3 Series?
The BMW 3 Series is the cheapest at $94,700 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A6 by $28,900.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A6 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW 3 Series all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A6 has the largest boot at 530L.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi A6 makes the most power at 210kW. The Audi A6 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.6s.
Get ahead of your next car
Join free for new-car launches, news, reviews and buying guides. The independent take on what's new in Australia and what's actually worth buying, no dealer spin. Plus early access and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
