Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the Audi A5, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the BMW 4 Series leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Audi A5 | BMW 4 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg | 31 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 26 mpg | 28 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg | 36 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,550 | $2,450 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 300 g/mi | 285 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI;, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; FFV | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium or E85 | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 40 | 160 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
A5 vs 4 Series: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Audi A5 or the BMW 4 Series?
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the Audi A5, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the BMW 4 Series runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,550 for the Audi A5 — a difference of roughly $100 per year.
What engines do the A5 and 4 Series offer?
Audi A5: SIDI;, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; FFV. BMW 4 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Audi A5 as Subcompact Cars and the BMW 4 Series as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More A5 comparisons
Comparison id: audi-a5-vs-bmw-4-series