Compare the2023 BMW M5VS 2023 Audi RS 5 Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M5 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the RS 5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M5 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the RS 5 Sportback.

The M5’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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M5 and the RS 5 Sportback 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, all wheel drive, 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 around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 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 RS 5 Sportback.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the M5’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M5 has a standard 249-amp alternator. The RS 5 Sportback’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The M5’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 156 more horsepower (600 vs. 444) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6. The M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 173 more horsepower (617 vs. 444) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 is faster than the Audi RS 5 Sportback:

The M5 has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 5 Sportback (20.1 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The M5’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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 5 Sportback:

The M5 stops shorter than the RS 5 Sportback:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the RS 5 Sportback (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. 265/35R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the RS 5 Sportback (117.4 inches vs. 111.3 inches).

The M5 CS handles at 1.02 G’s, while the RS 5 Sportback pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M5 has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 5 Sportback (103 vs. 91).

The M5 has 2.9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 5 Sportback.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M5 offers cargo security. The RS 5 Sportback’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The M5 has a standard 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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RS 5 Sportback, the M5 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The M5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The M5’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the RS 5 Sportback’s standard power windows.

The M5’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 RS 5 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The M5 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the M5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The M5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the RS 5 Sportback.

The M5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The RS 5 Sportback’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by 14% during 2022.