Two diesel engines, front-wheel drive and ‘premium’ category within the fashionable SUV segment: this is the comparison of the new BMW X1 against the Audi Q3. Which one wins?
The new Audi Q3 35 TDI costs around 40,000 euros, yes, with a cross-traffic warning system through rear sensors and leather on the steering wheel.
An automatic BMW X1 sDrive18d costs about 5,000 euros more, at least it has a rear-view camera and heated seats included in the price.
Engines of the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1
They tie when it comes to horses. Both diesel engines draw their power from a two-litre four-cylinder engine. The Audi provides 360 Nm of torque, just like the BMW. And the two yield 150 CV.
In the Audi, an S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission commands all seven gears; in the X1, engine speeds also go to the driveshafts via a seven-speed dual-clutch.
Also identical: both are front-wheel drive and have a similar weight. With an external length of about 4.50 metres, they provide a frame of similar dimensions in terms of economy of space and seat height.
Audi and BMW behavior
The BMW accelerates a little more decisively and reaches 4 km/h more top speed, and its full power is available a little earlier than its rival. In practice, it is hardly noticeable, but our measured values confirm the subtle difference from the factory: The X1 is ahead of the Audi, also in terms of running smoothness.
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The Volkswagen Group’s TDI develops a soft hum at idle and attains a beefier tone at full load with increasing engine speed, while the BMW block sounds tolerably calm in all situations and its transmission is always a little off. little more alert.
The X1 feels particularly stable, even abrupt cornering maneuvers are mastered in an exemplary manner by its chassis, with very clean ESP intervention.
The steering is too direct, even a bit twitchy, and it disturbs the smooth driving experience. The suspension, sensitive but inflexible, also makes the car uneasy, which would do much better for an M model than an 18d. And the X1 rolls somewhat dry on cobblestones and short bumps, and the suspension bottoms out on steep bumps, even without a load.
The Q3 carries its passengers more comfortably, its steering isn’t as harsh, and it has more suspension reserves under load. But in lane change exercises, the ESP keeps the Q3’s outer front wheel locked for too long, so this maneuver is needlessly delayed.
The Q3’s Active Lane Control system works more roughly on corrections than BMW does, and its voice control system knows only a few commands and sometimes gets it wrong.
The BMW system also “understands” freely made requests, for example about the engine oil level or if you are interested in another radio station. The X1’s front seats have very pleasing shapes and contours. In the rear, its bench is well padded and offers a high level of seating comfort.
At the front, the Q3 has comfortable partially electric seats with a longitudinal adjustment mechanism. The back of the rear seat has a hole for long objects. Its trunk holds a maximum of 1525 liters. The X1 trunk offers 1,600 liters of volume.
Factors to decide the purchase
1st place: BMW X1 sDrive18d. If it had softer suspension, the X1 would be a nearly unbeatable SUV. Excellent voice control and support.
Place 2: Audi Q3 35 TDI. It consumes more and is slower, but also more comfortable: the Audi loses, but by very few points.