2025 Audi S5 vs 2026 BMW 4 Series

$57,900 · Hatchback

$52,600 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Audi S5 and the 2026 BMW 4 Series often comes down to balancing performance enthusiasm with daily practicality. If you prioritize speed, the Audi S5 pulls ahead significantly with 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, trouncing the BMW’s 255 hp output. However, this power comes at a slight cost: the S5 is about $5,300 more expensive, starting at $57,900 compared to the 4 Series' $52,600 MSRP. While both require premium fuel, the Audi nets a combined 23 MPG versus an unstated but presumably lower figure for the RWD BMW configuration listed here. Furthermore, the Audi’s hatchback body style gives it a massive advantage in utility, offering 21.8 cu ft of cargo space compared to the BMW's 15.5 cu ft. This comparison highlights a choice between raw accessible power and lower entry cost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi S5

The Audi S5's superior combined fuel economy of 23 MPG, despite its higher power, makes the daily commute slightly more efficient.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Audi S5

The S5's hatchback design provides substantially more usable storage with 21.8 cu ft versus the 4 Series' 15.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi S5

The S5 offers a decisive advantage in acceleration metrics, boasting 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque over the 4 Series.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series wins on entry cost, being $5,300 cheaper than the Audi S5 despite both requiring premium fuel.

Choose the Audi S5 if...

You need the extra usability provided by the 21.8 cu ft hatchback cargo area for daily hauling.
You desire significantly more power, leveraging the Audi's 349 hp engine.
You appreciate standard All-Wheel Drive for varied weather conditions.

Choose the BMW 4 Series if...

Keeping the initial purchase price down is critical, as it saves you $5,300 off the MSRP.
You prefer the handling dynamics and feel of a traditional Rear-Wheel Drive setup.
You are content with 255 hp and don't require the S5's substantial 94 hp increase.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi S5	BMW 4 Series
Length	187.2"	187.9"
Width	72.6"	72.9"
Height	54.6"	54.6"
Wheelbase	111.2"	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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Integrated Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	3.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	349 hp @ 6300 rpm	255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque	369 lb-ft @ 3200 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
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	306.0/443.7 mi.	0/0 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	✓	✓
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	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
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
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
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: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	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	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
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	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	Performance	—
Tire Size	✓	225/45R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in
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 S5 and 2026 BMW 4 Series.

How much more powerful is the Audi S5 compared to the 2026 BMW 4 Series?

The 2025 Audi S5 has a significant power advantage, producing 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which is 94 hp more than the 2026 BMW 4 Series' output of 255 hp.

Does the difference in MPG make the Audi S5 cheaper to run daily?

The Audi S5 reports a combined 23 MPG, which is a 2 MPG advantage over the unstated efficiency of the RWD BMW 4 Series in this comparison, potentially saving a bit on fuel despite both needing premium gasoline.

Which car is better for hauling gear, given the cargo numbers?

The Audi S5, being a hatchback, wins easily here, offering 21.8 cu ft of cargo space versus the BMW 4 Series Coupe's smaller 15.5 cu ft capacity.

Why is the Audi S5 more expensive than the BMW 4 Series?

The Audi S5 commands a higher starting MSRP of $57,900 compared to the BMW 4 Series' $52,600, likely due to its higher standard horsepower rating and All-Wheel Drive system.

What is the fundamental difference in driving setup between these two vehicles?

The Audi S5 comes equipped with an All-Wheel Drive system for enhanced traction, whereas the listed 2026 BMW 4 Series utilizes a traditional Rear-Wheel Drive configuration.

Are the overall dimensions very different between the two models?

The cars are very similar in size; the BMW 4 Series is slightly longer at 187.9 inches compared to the Audi's 187.2 inches, and marginally wider at 72.9 inches versus 72.6 inches.