Audi S5 vs BMW 4 Series
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Audi S5, a 7 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the BMW 4 Series leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Audi S5 | BMW 4 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 24 mpg | 31 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 21 mpg | 28 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 30 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,150 | $2,450 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 363 g/mi | 285 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S8) | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 33 | 160 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
S5 vs 4 Series: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Audi S5 or the BMW 4 Series?
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Audi S5, a 7 mpg advantage and costs about $700 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 $3,150 for the Audi S5 — a difference of roughly $700 per year.
What engines do the S5 and 4 Series offer?
Audi S5: SIDI. 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 S5 as Subcompact Cars and the BMW 4 Series as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More S5 comparisons
Comparison id: audi-s5-vs-bmw-4-series