Compare the2022 Audi S5VS 2022 BMW 4 Series Coupe

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S5. But it costs extra on the 4 Series Coupe.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 4 Series Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the S5 and the 4 Series Coupe 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, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S5 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 205 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4 Series Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The S5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 94 more horsepower (349 vs. 255) and 75 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 294) than the 430i Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The S5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 368) than the M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi S5 is faster than the 430i Coupe 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 4 Series Coupe requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the S5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the S5 has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Coupe (255/35R19 vs. 225/45R18). The S5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Coupe (265/30R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The S5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4 Series Coupe’s standard 45 series tires. The S5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the 4 Series Coupe’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 4 Series Coupe. The S5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the 4 Series Coupe.

The S5 is 3 inches shorter than the 430i, making the S5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The S5 is 3.1 inches shorter than the M440i xDrive Coupe.

The S5 Coupe has .2 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear headroom than the 4 Series Coupe.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S5 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The S5 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Coupe.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The S5 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The S5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the S5 will retain 47.14% to 48.56% of its original price after five years, while the 4 Series Coupe only retains 43.34% to 45.62%.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the BMW 4 Series by almost two to one during 2020.