Verdict
The Audi Q5 asks RM85,100 more, but brings SUV access, a 520-litre boot and a 68-litre tank against the BMW 3 Series’ 480 litres and 59 litres. Its 196 hp and 340 Nm also beat the BMW’s 184 hp and 300 Nm. The 3 Series counters with rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, head-up display, auto parking and an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. For Malaysian family use, the Audi’s extra cargo room and surround-view camera matter; the BMW is the more focused sedan package.
Pick the Audi Q5 if you need SUV body height, 520 litres of boot space, 196 hp and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, head-up display and self-parking assistance.
Key differences
- Power: Audi Q5 196 hp; BMW 3 Series 184 hp.
- Torque: Audi Q5 340 Nm; BMW 3 Series 300 Nm.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 520 litres; BMW 3 Series 480 litres.
- Fuel tank: Audi Q5 68 litres; BMW 3 Series 59 litres.
- Driveline and gearbox: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive with seven-speed dual-clutch; BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive with eight-speed automatic.
- Parking camera: Audi Q5 surround-view camera; BMW 3 Series reverse camera.
Q5
- 196 hp and 340 Nm
- 520-litre boot and 68-litre fuel tank
- Adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera
- No head-up display
- No automatic parking system
- Front-wheel drive rather than rear-wheel drive
3 Series
- Rear-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic
- Head-up display and auto parking with reversing assist
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the Audi
- 480-litre boot is 40 litres smaller
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM352,900 | RM267,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 196 hp✓ | 184 hp |
| Torque | 340 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 235 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,669 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,590 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 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 |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 10-speaker Audi Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 with Digital Key | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 years |
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.
Used Q5 & 3 Series for sale
Q5 vs 3 Series FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or BMW 3 Series better?
The Audi Q5 is better for cargo and family-oriented use, with a 520-litre boot, SUV body and adaptive cruise control. The BMW 3 Series is better if rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, head-up display and automated parking are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q5 costs RM85,100 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which has more luggage space, the Audi Q5 or BMW 3 Series?
The Audi Q5 has the larger boot at 520 litres, versus 480 litres in the BMW 3 Series. It also has a 68-litre fuel tank, compared with 59 litres for the BMW.