Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The big three luxury German automakers have long been peeking over each other's factory fences to see just what the other was doing. How else could you explain the uncanny similarity in the vehicles they produce? For example, BMW introduced a coupe-shaped SUV one year, and soon Audi and Mercedes were selling similar vehicles. Audi then decides to introduce the 'Sportback' A5 in 2009, and soon BMW is launching its 4 Series Gran Coupe.This homework copying has been going on for years, but in 2025 Audi decided to discontinue production of its A4 and A5 models, in favor of a new 'do-it-all' A5 that had four doors and a hatchback-style trunk. It's essentially a Sportback in everything but name. Proving that Germans do have a sense of humor, it called this model a sedan.AdvertisementAdvertisementBMW, meanwhile, continues to offer its 4 Series models in two-door coupe, four-door Gran Coupe, and convertible body styles. For the purposes of this comparison, we decided to see how the new base A5 stacked up to the current entry-level 4 Series Gran Coupe.Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series: PerformanceAudiView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModelAudi A5BMW 430i Gran CoupeEngine2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four + 48v2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four + 48vPower268-hp255-hpTorque295 lb-ft295 lb-ft0-605.6 seconds5.8 seconds (RWD) 5.7 (xDrive)Fuel economy26 MPG Combined30 MPG CombinedPerhaps unsurprisingly, the bare figures are so close that if it weren't for the fact that collusion between auto makers is illegal, you'd swear that executives from both companies had decided on things beforehand.But, of course, we know that German automakers wouldn't stoop to any illegal practices, so let's put the similarities down to luck, and clever marketing. For the entry-level models, power is provide by 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines that are aided by a 48-volt mild hybrid setup. Torque output is identical, however, the A5 delivers 13-hp more, which gives it an edge in acceleration, but the BMW claws back the lead in overall fuel economy figures.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn terms of the driving experience, the Audi is sure-footed, and confidence-inspiring in the corners, and offers a near-silent and very comfortable highway ride. The BMW is just as refined, but offers better steering feel, and the rear-biased all-wheel drive system makes for a more engaging experience on the right roads. So, this is another area where the status quo remains. Both cars are equally adept at cruising around town, and while the A5's dual-clutch transmission offers slightly quicker sifts than the BMW's eight-speed torque-converter 'box, it is slightly less smooth at very low speeds. It is about as close to a dead heat as you can get, and driving both is the only way to really know which suits your needs best.Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series: Pricing, Tech, and SpaceBMWView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModelAudi A5BMW 430i Gran CoupeBase MSRP$50,200$51,200 (RWD)$53,000 (xDrive)Model Years2025 on2021 onDespite the Audi's freshness, it undercuts the 4 Series Gran Coupe by almost $3,000 in base trim. Audi's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard, so the base A5's closest rival here is the 430i xDrive.We won't get into the merits of the exterior design of either model, suffice to say that the newer A5 is less likely to offend buyers with its styling. The interior of both models follows the current trend of minimal buttons and maximum screens. The Audi has an 11.9-inch instrument panel, 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and an optional 10.9-inch passenger display. The 4 Series counters with a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen, but no passenger interface. Both offer the latest tech and features, although Audi's newer design looks fresher.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe quality of the interior materials is top class for both models, and while both offer plenty of space for four adults and their luggage, the A5 is slightly longer, wider and taller than the 4 Series. Considering the newer design and better base pricing, this time it's a win for the Audi.Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series: ReliabilityBMWView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleModel YearAudi A5 Reliability ScoreBMW 4 Series Reliability Score202646 (Predicted)63 (Predicted)We used actual customer feedback from Consumer Reports for this data, but comparing reliability statistics between these two is tricky because the Audi A5 has only been in production since 2025. Its predicted reliability figure is based purely on current owner experiences, and in light of its newness, a score of 46/100 is not particularly poor.However, we will only be able to form a clearer picture once this model has been on the road for a few more years. The previous generation A5 scored 61/100 overall over its seven-year production run, while the A4 sedan managed 64/100, and as the new model has carried over several key components, it should score similarly well in the coming years.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe BMW 4 Series scored 63/100 for 2026, but its average over the entire production run so far is 69/100. That's slightly higher than the Audi, but not a significant difference enough to declare an overall winner here. Another dead heat then.AudiIn the final reckoning it would be all too easy to declare this a tie and risk irritating both Audi and BMW fans. But thanks to the Audi's newer design, slightly better straight-line performance, and lower starting price, we will only be irritating BMW fans today. The Audi A5 wins by the slightest of margins.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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