Compare the2023 BMW M5VS 2023 Audi RS 6

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 6 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 6’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 6.

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 6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M5 and the RS 6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 6.

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.

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 9 more horsepower (600 vs. 591) than the RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 26 more horsepower (617 vs. 591) than the RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 is faster than the Audi RS 6:

On the EPA test cycle the M5 gets better mileage than the RS 6:

The M5 stops much shorter than the RS 6:

For better traction and acceleration, the M5 has larger rear tires than the RS 6 (285/40R19 vs. 275/35R21).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the RS 6 (117.4 inches vs. 115.3 inches).

The M5 CS handles at 1.02 G’s, while the RS 6 Avant pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BMW M5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 800 pounds less than the Audi RS 6.

The M5 has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more front shoulder room than the RS 6.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M5 offers cargo security. The RS 6’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat 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 6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RS 6 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 6 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by over three to one during 2022.