Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series
Audi A5
Audi’s premium coupé.
VS
BMW 4 Series
BMW’s compact executive coupé.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
Audi A5
Pick the A5 for quattro, the frugal 2.0 TDI and the coupé body.
Best engine: The mid-range 2.0 TFSI petrol for the best everyday balance — or the 2.0 TDI diesel for high mileage.
Read the full guide
Pick this one if…
BMW 4 Series
Pick the 4 Series Coupé for an elegant rear-wheel-drive coupé with a premium interior and a strong B58 engine range.
Best engine: The 420i (184 hp) or 440i (326 hp).
Read the full guide
Performance
EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs 420i · Petrol
| Audi A5 | BMW 4 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
190 hp
Winner
|
184 hp
|
| Torque |
320 Nm
Winner
|
300 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
7,3 s
Winner
|
7,5 s
|
| Top speed |
240 km/h
|
240 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
124,6 hp/t
Winner
|
117,9 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
133 g/km
Winner
|
149 g/km
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
5,9 L/100km
Winner
|
6,5 L/100km
|
Dimensions & space
| Audi A5 | BMW 4 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
465 L
Winner
|
440 L
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.280 L
Winner
|
1.200 L
|
| Wheelbase |
2,82 m
|
2,85 m
Winner
|
| Length |
4,73 m
|
4,77 m
|
| Width |
1,85 m
|
1,85 m
|
| Height |
1,39 m
|
1,38 m
|
| Seats |
5
Winner
|
4
|
Powertrain & tech
| Audi A5 | BMW 4 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4 B9) | F30 (F32) · CLAR (G22) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 48V mild-hybrid | B48 2.0 · B58 3.0 petrol · B47 2.0 · B57 3.0 diesel |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel | Petrol · Diesel |
| Transmission | S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual · 8-speed automatic (ZF) |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6 |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
Audi A5
- EA888 (2.0 TFSI) petrols: water-pump/thermostat housing can leak
- EA288 diesels: DPF and AdBlue/SCR need attention
- S tronic (DSG) mechatronics are the best-known weak point
- Suspension bushings at higher mileage
BMW 4 Series
- N20 timing chain (early 420i/428i, pre-2016)
- Cooling-system plastic parts (expansion tank/hoses)
- Suspension bushings and control arms (M Sport)
Pros
Audi A5
- quattro optional on the 2.0-litre engines
- 2.0 TDI (40) returns ~4.3 l/100 km
- Sportback body offers a 465-litre boot
BMW 4 Series
- Elegant rear-wheel-drive coupé with sharp handling
- B58 (M440i) and later B48 are reliable
- 420d is the economy champion
Cons
Audi A5
- Automatic only on later models — early pre-facelift versions have rare manual options
- Lower coupé roofline reduces rear headroom
BMW 4 Series
- Tight rear seats, not a family car
- Firm suspension (M Sport) trades away comfort
Driving experience
Audi A5
As a model line, the A5 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners on the 2.0-litre engines. The 2.0 TDI is strong and frugal, the 2.0 TFSI is smooth, and the 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.
BMW 4 Series
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Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
Audi A5
34 for sale · from € 6.750
BMW 4 Series
0 for saleNo listings at the moment
