2025 Audi RS 5 vs 2025 BMW 4 Series

$79,900 · Hatchback

$51,150 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

Choosing between performance and practicality often boils down to balancing budget against brute force, and this comparison highlights that perfectly. The 2025 Audi RS 5, priced at $79,900, immediately sets a high bar with its 444 hp and standard all-wheel drive, offering blistering speed, albeit at a cost of 20 MPG combined. Contrast this with the 2025 BMW 4 Series, starting at a much more accessible $51,150, which emphasizes efficiency with a 31 MPG combined rating from its 255 hp engine. That initial $28,750 difference in MSRP is significant; the Audi delivers an extra 189 hp, but you sacrifice 11 MPG in daily driving economy compared to the BMW’s more modest performance figures. Furthermore, the Audi's hatchback design provides a superior 21.8 cu ft of cargo space versus the 4 Series Coupe's 15.5 cu ft, making the RS 5 surprisingly versatile despite its performance focus.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 31 MPG combined compared to the Audi's 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Audi RS 5

The Audi RS 5 is the better family option because its hatchback body offers significantly more cargo capacity at 21.8 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi RS 5

The Audi RS 5 clearly targets driving enthusiasts with its substantial advantage of 444 hp and standard all-wheel drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series offers tremendous usability and respectable efficiency for $28,750 less than the RS 5.

Choose the Audi RS 5 if...

You prioritize maximum straight-line speed and power, benefiting from 444 hp.
You need the versatility of a hatchback combined with performance, thanks to 21.8 cu ft of cargo space.
You require the security of all-wheel drive performance regardless of road conditions.

Choose the BMW 4 Series if...

Your budget is tighter, as the MSRP difference is a substantial $28,750.
Daily driving efficiency is paramount, with the BMW achieving 36 MPG on the highway.
You prefer the classic RWD dynamics over the Audi's AWD system in a smaller, lighter package.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi RS 5	BMW 4 Series
Length	188.3"	187.9"
Width	73.5"	72.9"
Height	55.1"	54.6"
Wheelbase	111.3"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	BMW
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	—
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Integrated Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	2.9 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	444 hp @ 6700 rpm	255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque	442 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	BMW
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/25 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	275.4/382.5 mi.	434.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.3 gal.	15.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Bang & Olufsen	—
Stereo Power	755W	205W
Speaker System	19	10
Surround Audio	Discrete	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	12 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Subwoofer Count	—	2
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	41.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	55.1 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Massage Function	✓	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	37.0 in.	35.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.1 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 in.	51.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 9.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	Performance	—
Tire Size	265/35R19	225/45R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Audi	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	BMW
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi RS 5 and 2025 BMW 4 Series.

What is the main driving difference between the 2025 Audi RS 5 and the BMW 4 Series?

The Audi RS 5 is engineered for outright speed, boasting 444 hp and standard AWD, making it faster in acceleration. The BMW 4 Series prioritizes balance, offering less power at 255 hp but delivering a more traditional rear-wheel-drive feel.

How much more expensive is the Audi RS 5 compared to the BMW 4 Series?

The Audi RS 5 has a starting MSRP of $79,900, which is $28,750 more than the BMW 4 Series’ $51,150 base price.

If I commute daily, which car will save me more money on gas?

The BMW 4 Series is the clear winner for commuters, netting 31 MPG combined compared to the RS 5's 20 MPG combined rating, saving you money frequently since both require premium fuel.

Is the body style difference important for carrying cargo?

Yes, the Audi RS 5 is a hatchback offering 21.8 cu ft of cargo space, which is substantially more flexible than the BMW 4 Series Coupe, which only provides 15.5 cu ft.

Does the Audi require better fuel, and how does that affect the driving experience?

Both vehicles require premium unleaded fuel. However, the RS 5 requires it to deliver its 444 hp output, while the 4 Series uses it to achieve its better 31 MPG efficiency.

Are the physical sizes of these two cars very different for parking?

Not significantly; the RS 5 is only 0.4 inches longer and 0.6 inches wider than the 4 Series, meaning they occupy nearly identical space on the road and in a garage.