Compare the2022 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2021 Audi S5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a cross-path warning system.

Both the 2 Series and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S5.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series’ warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 2 Series has a standard 170-amp alternator (210-amp - 2 Series 6 cyl.). The S5’s standard 110-amp alternator and largest (optional) 150-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (382 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The 2 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S5.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 230i’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the S5’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The BMW 2 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The 230i is 5.9 inches shorter than the S5, making the 2 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 2 Series amounts to more than styling. The 2 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .28 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the S5 (.31 to .32). A more efficient exterior helps the 2 Series go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 2 Series get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 2 Series Coupe has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the S5 Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The 2 Series offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 2 Series offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 2 Series offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The 2 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The M235i/M240i was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 7 years. The S5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 2 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2015. The S5 has never been an “All Star.”