Compare the2022 BMW 4 Series CoupeVS 2021 Audi S5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Coupe 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.

The 4 Series Coupe’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4 Series Coupe 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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe’s warranty.

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 M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (382 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the M440i Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Audi S5:

The 4 Series Coupe’s 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.

The 4 Series Coupe stops shorter than the S5:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 4 Series Coupe 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Coupe’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the S5 (112.2 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Coupe is 2 inches wider in the rear than on the S5.

The 4 Series Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.7% to 48.3%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the 4 Series Coupe more stable handling and braking.

The BMW 4 Series Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The design of the BMW 4 Series Coupe amounts to more than styling. The 4 Series Coupe offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .25 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the S5 (.31 to .32). A more efficient exterior helps the 4 Series Coupe go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 4 Series Coupe get better fuel mileage.

The 4 Series Coupe has 2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Coupe (86 vs. 84).

The 4 Series Coupe has .6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S5 Coupe.

The 4 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S5 Coupe (12 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Coupe offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The S5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

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 4 Series Coupe 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.

The 4 Series Coupe’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 4 Series Coupe’s available Parking Assistant Plus 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 4 Series Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.