Compare the2022 BMW M4VS 2021 Audi S5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M4 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 M4 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 M4 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 M4’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 M4 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 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 M4’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M4 has a standard 209-amp alternator. The S5’s standard 110-amp alternator and largest (optional) 150-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the M4 has a standard 900-amp battery. The S5’s 420-amp battery isn’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 M4’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 124 more horsepower (473 vs. 349) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The M4 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 154 more horsepower (503 vs. 349) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The M4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S5 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The M4 Competition’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.

For better stopping power the M4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The M4 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M4 stops shorter than the S5:

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the S5 (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 245/40R18). The M4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 265/30R20).

The M4’s standard 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S5’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M4 has standard 19-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M4’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the S5 (112.5 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M4 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the S5.

The M4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the M4 more stable handling and braking.

The M4 Coupe handles at 1.03 G’s, while the S5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The S5 doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M4 Coupe a Compact car, while the S5 Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The M4 Coupe has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Coupe (91 vs. 84). The M4 Convertible has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Cabriolet (84 vs. 81).

The M4 Coupe has 2.9 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S5 Coupe.

The M4 Convertible has .6 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more front legroom than the S5 Cabriolet.

The M4 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S5 Coupe (12 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The M4 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the S5 Cabriolet with its top down (10.6 vs. 7.3 cubic feet). The M4 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top up than the S5 Cabriolet with its top up (13.6 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the M4 offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The S5 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

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 M4 Competition 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 M4 has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the M4 has a standard 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 M4’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 M4’s available Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The M4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The S5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The M3/M4 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 13 of the last 25 years. The S5 has never been an “All Star.”