Audi A5 Sportback vs BMW 3 Series M
Verdict
At RM440,990, the Audi A5 Sportback asks RM52,190 more than the RM388,800 BMW 3 Series M, yet the BMW is the harder hitter: 387 hp and 500 Nm from 2,998 cc, 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Audi counters with a 1,984 cc petrol hybrid/REV setup, 249 hp, 370 Nm, a 6 hp motor, 7.1 L/100 km and a lighter 1,605 kg kerb weight. Both have AWD, 480-litre boots and 250 km/h top speeds. For Malaysia, the sting is the BMW’s RM2,125 road tax against RM372 for the Audi.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you want the lower RM372 road tax, five-door hatchback body, lighter 1,605 kg weight and can live with 5.6-second performance.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the quicker, stronger car with 387 hp, 500 Nm, adaptive M suspension and more driver-assistance kit.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; BMW 3 Series M RM388,800
- Power and torque: Audi A5 Sportback 249 hp/370 Nm; BMW 3 Series M 387 hp/500 Nm
- Acceleration: Audi A5 Sportback 0-100 km/h in 5.6 sec; BMW 3 Series M 4.4 sec
- Body and doors: Audi A5 Sportback hatchback/5 doors; BMW 3 Series M sedan/4 doors
- Weight and wheelbase: Audi A5 Sportback 1,605 kg/2,831 mm; BMW 3 Series M 1,800 kg/2,851 mm
- Road tax: Audi A5 Sportback RM372/year; BMW 3 Series M RM2,125/year
A5 Sportback
- Much lower annual road tax: RM372 versus RM2,125
- Five-door hatchback body; boot space still matches the BMW at 480 litres
- Lighter kerb weight: 1,605 kg versus 1,800 kg
- RM52,190 pricier despite lower output
- Slower to 100 km/h: 5.6 sec versus 4.4 sec
- No autonomous braking system, adaptive cruise control or head-up display listed
3 Series M
- Far stronger and quicker: 387 hp/500 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 4.4 sec
- Costs RM52,190 less to buy
- Gets Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential
- Much higher annual road tax: RM2,125 versus RM372
- Heavier kerb weight: 1,800 kg versus 1,605 kg
- No space-saver spare tyre listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,990 | RM 388,800✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp | 387 hp✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 10.2 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 2,125 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
A5 Sportback vs 3 Series M FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or BMW 3 Series M better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better if performance and equipment are the priority: it is RM52,190 cheaper, has 387 hp/500 Nm and does 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Audi A5 Sportback makes more sense for lower road tax and hatchback access.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM440,990 and the BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800, so the Audi is RM52,190 dearer.
Which one is more practical?
Boot capacity is identical at 480 litres and both seat five, but the Audi A5 Sportback has a five-door hatchback body while the BMW 3 Series M is a four-door sedan. The BMW has the longer wheelbase, 2,851 mm versus 2,831 mm.