Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Audi's A4 compact sports sedan and A5 Sportback, Convertible, and Coupe models were replaced by a single, sleek four-door liftback A5 model in 2025, and we wanted to see how this new model compares to its fiercest rival, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. We specifically chose the Gran Coupe for this comparison, because despite Audi's insistence that the new A5 is a sedan, its liftback rear end makes it a closer competitor to this model than the 3 Series.Design and PracticalityBMWView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2026 Audi A5 is more a refined version of the outgoing A5 Sportback than a revolutionary new design, but that is a good thing. The rear has a slightly less severe rake over the C pillar, which benefits headroom, and the liftback has a slight kink in it, elegantly combining the old A4 sedan's rear end with a more modern aesthetic. Looks are in the eye of the beholder, but it certainly has a less divisive design language than the toothy 4 Series.Inside, the A5 gets an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch center touchscreen as standard. A 10.9-inch passenger display is optional. The quality of the materials inside the cabin is up to the high standards you would expect from Audi, and the interior is spacious enough for five adults, and the trunk reveals 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 37.5 cubic feet with the rear bench folded flat.While there is also a coupe and convertible 4 Series, BMW's 4 Series Gran Coupe shares the A5's four-door coupe aesthetic and also has a practical liftback trunk design. The BMW's interior has been around for a while now, but recent updates have kept it fresh, and you get a 12.3-inch driver display and 14.9-inch infotainment system as standard. It lacks the option of a passenger display, but the quality of the interior is still as impressive as ever. Passenger space is comparable to the Audi, but you get just 16.6 inches of cargo space behind the rear seats, although this extends to a more impressive 45.6 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down, giving the BMW the edge when carrying larger cargo.Performance and DrivetrainsAudiView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementBoth vehicles use 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines augmented by 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The Audi delivers 13-hp more and is a fraction quicker to 60mph, but the differences are small enough to be negligible. All Audi A5s come with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. BMW uses its well-established eight-speed automatic transmission for all 4 Series models, and both rear-wheel drive and AWD variants are available. Regardless of which option you pick, the BMW's fuel economy figures are noticeably better than the Audis. Comparing the A5 to the AWD 4 Series sees its average 3 mpg less in combined driving, while the RWD 440i Gran Coupe manages 29 mpg combined compared to the Audi's 26 mpg. The lighter RWD 330i sedan is even more economical.In terms of overall driving feel, the A5 displays the usual calm and assured driving feel of modern AWD Audis but filters out most of the feedback that driving enthusiasts crave. That's not necessarily a deal-breaker for the daily commuting and long road duties that most A5s will be doing, but the BMW remains the more engaging and exciting car to drive when pressing on. Neither model is likely to convert fans of the other brand, but that is a good sign in a marketplace that has too many homogenous and undifferentiated vehicles on the roads. Pricing and ValueBMWThe Audi A5 looks to be great value compared to the older 4 Series Gran Coupe, and in base trim it is $1,000 cheaper than the RWD variant, and a handy $3,000 less than the xDrive model. Part of this price discrepancy is down to the fact that BMW still offers the more conventional 3 Series Sedan, which starts at $50,000 in xDrive trim, but the fact is that the fresher Audi A5 is the better deal in base trim.Both models can easily be optioned to over $60,000 once you tick a few options and factor in destination charges and taxes, but a mid-spec Audi A5 or BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the smarter play here, and a Premium Plus trim A5 will cost around $55,000 when all is said and done. The 4 Series will still be around $3,000 more overall once you tick a few desirable packages.Side-by-Side Comparison TableAudiMake and Model2026 Audi A52026 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeEngine2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder + 48V Mild Hybrid2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder + 48V Mild HybridPower268 hp255 hpTorque295 lb-ft295 lb-ftDrivetrain OptionsAWD StandardRWD (Standard)AWD (xDrive Optional)0–60 mph5.6 sec5.8 sec (RWD)5.7 sec (AWD)Fuel Economy (Combined)26 MPG30 MPG (RWD)29 MPG (AWD)Base MSRP$50,200$51,200 (RWD)$53,200 (xDrive AWD)Cargo Space (Seats Up / Folded)22.6 / 37.5 cu ft16.6 / 45.6 cu ftNote: Listed prices exclude destination fees, options, taxes, and dealer charges.Reliability and WarrantyBoth German marques offer an identical 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. The Audi comes with a 3-year/30,000-mile complimentary maintenance coverage, while the BMW gets 3-years and 36,000 miles. In terms of reliability, the Audi A5 is too new to gauge its long-term durability, but early niggles have kept its predicted scores low. The previous generation A4 and A5 both delivered solid reliability scores overall, so hopefully the new A5 will follow suit.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe BMW 4 Series has been around since 2021 and is a mature platform. Its reliability scores have consistently been at the upper end of its segment. It is worth noting that the scores below do not differentiate between the various 4 Series variants.Consumer Reports Reliability ScoreAudi A5BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe2024n/a63/1002025n/a71/100202646/10066/100Which One Should You Choose?AudiView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleBoth the Audi A5 and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe look to be broadly similar on the surface, but despite their similar engine layouts and body styles, they deliver a very different driving experience. The A5 is the consummate cruiser that's still capable of tackling a challenging section of road without issue. It has more cargo space with the rear seats up, is cheaper to buy, and will outrun the 4 Series in a straight line, even if by just 0.1 seconds. Like Dom says, a win is a win.The 4 Series Gran Coupe, meanwhile, stays true to BMW's 'sheer driving pleasure' mantra, and is more enjoyable to drive quickly, even if it may be no faster point to point. It delivers better fuel economy overall and has a proven reliability track record, too.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf its pricing or looks aren't to your liking, the base 3 Series sedan comes in cheaper, but it is due for replacement soon and lacks the practicality of a rear liftback tailgate. With both Audi and BMW fans being a rather loyal and passionate bunch, most buyers tend to make up their minds based on emotions rather than stats. And that's how every aspirational car should be purchased.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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