We’ve done Audi vs BMW comparisons before, such as the Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series, so we figured we would tackle the sedans that are a step up. Therefore, in this article, we will be covering the Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series. We will be going over the many similarities and few differences between the two vehicles. Topics like price, size, performance, common problems, and more will be discussed. Both models are classified as compact executive cars.
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series – The Basics
The Audi A5 was first introduced in 2008 and is still in production today. Since its inception, there have been two generations: the B8/B8.5 A5 and B9 A5. The B8/B8.5 A5 was built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, while the B9 A5 was built on the MLB Evo platform. There are 3 different body styles the Audi A5 has to offer: a 2-door coupe, a 2-door cabriolet (convertible), and a 5-door Sportback. There are also two different sport variations: an S5 and an RS5. The RS5 is one of our favorite Audi vehicles, behind the RS 6 Avant.
The BMW 4 Series, surprisingly, was first introduced in 2014 and is still in production today. The 4 Series was created when BMW spun off the 3 Series 2-door models (coupe and convertible) into a separate and new series. Since its inception, there have been two different generations with 3 different body styles: F32 & G22 (2-door coupe), F33 & G23 (2-door convertible), and F36 & G26 (5-door liftback). Like the A5, the BMW 4 Series also has a sports variant called the M4.
Audi A5 Generations
- B8/B8.5 A5 (2008-2017)
- B9 A5 (2018-Present)
BMW 4 Series Generations
- F32/F33/F36 4 Series (2014-2020)
- G22/G23/G26 4 Series (2021-Present)
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series Price
In this portion, we will be going over brand new 2022, as of this writing, model prices and used prices for the A5 and 4 Series.
New Audi A5 Price
In this section, we will be going over the new A5 2022 model year prices. There are two body types offered for the 2022 A5: coupe and Sportback. In the A5 coupe, there is only one engine option: a 2.0T TFSI. This engine can be found in all Audi coupe trims. There is a Premium A5 coupe quattro® ($46,000), a Premium Plus A5 coupe quattro® ($50,900), and lastly, a Prestige A5 coupe quattro® ($55,450). The A5 Sportback features two engines: a 40 TFSI (2.0 TFSI) and a 45 TFSI (2.0 TFSI). The Premium A5 Sportback 40 TFSI ($43,900), the Premium Plus A5 Sportback 40 TFSI ($48,800), and, lastly, the Prestige A5 Sportback 40 TFSI ($54,500). Meanwhile, a Premium A5 Sportback 45 TFSI ($46,000), a Premium Plus A5 Sportback 45 TFSI ($50,900), and, lastly, A Prestige A5 Sportback 45 TFSI ($55,750).
Like the A5 coupe, the A5 cabriolet only features one engine: 2.0T TFSI. The Premium A5 Cabriolet ($52,200), the Premium Plus ($57,100), and the Prestige A5 Cabriolet ($62,950).
For those curious about the trim differences with Audi’s, here is an article we wrote: Audi trims.
New BMW 4 Series Price
In this section, we will be going over the new 4 Series, as of this writing, model year prices. There are many different models that BMW offers for the 4 series, so we will make sure to include all of them. A base 4 series coupe, or the 430i coupe, starts at $45,800 with the option of upgrading to xDrive, BMW’s AWD tech, for an extra $2,000. The base 4 series convertible, or the 430i convertible, starts at $53,300 with the option of upgrading to xDrive, BMW’s AWD tech, for an extra $2,000. The base 4 series sedan, or the 430i Gran Coupe, starts at $45,200 with the option of upgrading to xDrive, BMW’s AWD tech, for an extra $2,000.
There are two sports variants with the 4 series: M440i and M4. An M440i coupe starts at $56,700 with the option of upgrading to xDrive for an extra $2,000. The M440i convertible starts at $64,200 with the option of upgrading to xDrive for an extra $2,000. The M440i Gran Coupe starts at $58,200 which comes standard with xDrive. The prices for the M4 trims are as followed: M4 coupe ($72,000) and M4 Convertible ($86,500).
Used Audi A5 & BMW 4 Series Prices
*At the time of writing this article, we believe we are in a market where used vehicles are inflated, so consider that when seeing the used prices above.
General Audi A5 & BMW 4 Series Topics
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series Series Size
Below are some basic details about the size and weight differences seen between the 2022 Audi A5 Coupe, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, 2022 BMW 4 Series Coupe, and the 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series
When it comes to size, the two models are pretty similar in exterior dimensions. We wanted to make sure to include both the coupe and sedan models for consumers that need more than 4 seats. The only thing that stood out to us was cargo space for the sedan models. The A5 Sportback gets 21.5ft³ with all the seats up and 35ft³ with the back seats folded down, while the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe gets 17ft³ and 45.9ft³ with the back seats down.
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series Performance
For consistencies sake, we will be using the 2022 Audi A5 and 2022 BMW 4 Series factory performance specs.
Engines, Drivetrain, & Fuel Economy
Audi A5 Performance
As stated above, the A5 has two available engine options: a 40 TFSI (2.0T TFSI), and a 45 TFSI (2.0T TFSI). The 40 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 201hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and boasts a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 130mph. It gets 26mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 29 with a 15.3gal fuel tank. The 45 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 261hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and boasts a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 130mph. It gets 24mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 27 with a 15.3gal fuel tank.
The 40 TFSI is only found in the Sportback model and the 45 TFSI can be found on all A5 body styles. Quattro®, Audi’s AWD system, and a 7-speed dual-clutch S Tronic automatic transmission come standard on a new A5.
BMW 4 Series Performance
The base 430i coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe, only have one engine option for all trims: a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo engine, or also known as the B48. It puts out 255hp and 294 lb-ft of torque, comes standard with RWD, and it features an 8-speed automatic transmission. It gets 25mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway for a combined 28mpg with a 15.6gal fuel tank. For those wanting more performance, the BMW M4 coupe and convertible have a bigger 3.0L BMW M TwinPower Turbo V6 engine that puts out 473hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.
A5 & BMW 4 Series Reliability and Common Problems
Audi A5
Is the Audi A5 reliable? The A5s overall reliability is below average, according to RepairPal. They rated it 3 out of 5 in reliability, which is below the average luxury midsize vehicle rating of 3.5 out of 5. This puts the A5 23rd out of 31 luxury midsize vehicles. The B8 and B9 generations of the A5 have their own issues, but we would advise avoiding the first couple of years of the B8 A5. If at all possible, we would advise going with 2018-2021 A5 model years. The average annual maintenance cost for an Audi A5 is $887, which is above the average luxury midsize car of $739.
Common problems seen in A5s are as followed: Excessive oil consumption, premature ignition coil and spark plug failure, timing chain tensioner failure, control arm issues, and start-stop system malfunctioning. We’ve seen Audi A5s last up to 200,000 if they are maintained properly. An important milestone is the 100,000-mile mark because it is crucial to perform preventative maintenance to ensure longevity.
The 7 Most Common Audi A5 B8 Engine Problems
BMW 4 Series
Is the BMW 4 Series reliable? Since the BMW 4 Series is relatively new, there isn’t a lot of reliability data. However, we know that the average BMW reliability rating is 2.5 out of 5, which isn’t great. Scrolling through many forums, we have come to the conclusion that the 4 series is pretty good. J.D. Power predicts the 4 Series’ reliability to be 87 out of 100. Used 4 Series model years we advise looking for are 2016, and 2018-2019.
We’ve compiled some common problems seen across both generations of the 4 Series: coolant loss, faulty timing chains, cooling system issues, common oil leaks, Vanos issues, and charge pipe issues. If a 4 Series is maintained properly, it can easily last up to 150,000 miles. However, like the A5, preventative maintenance is extremely important over 100,000 miles.
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series – Which is Better?
The question you’ve all been waiting for, which one is better: the Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series? We can give our personal opinion, but we will also provide facts in a concise way for any consumer to make their decision. We personally like the Audi A5 because of its sleek modern look, it’s slightly cheaper, and is slightly more powerful with the 45 TFSI. However, the BMW 4 Series gets better gas mileage, gets more standard power, and seems to be more reliable. We also don’t like the redesigned front grilles on the 2022 4 Series because it looks like nostrils, but that’s a personal preference. Both have 5-star safety ratings and have similar tech and safety features.
We always advise getting behind the wheel of whatever vehicles a consumer is deciding to purchase. So, schedule a test drive with your local Audi and BMW dealer to get some first-hand experience. There’s no better research than first-hand experience. And many times we have changed our minds on which good we would go with based on seeing it in person.
Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series Conclusion
In conclusion, we know that purchasing a vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle, can be a daunting task. However, we hope the information provided above assists anyone in their purchasing decision. In short, the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series are very comparable vehicles, so you honestly can’t go wrong with either. If you are a consumer reading this that has first-hand experience with either, please comment your feedback in the comments below. This will help our research and help future readers with their research to purchase a new vehicle.
If you are interested in more Audi vs BMW content, here is an article we wrote on the Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series.
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