Compare the2024 Audi A5VS 2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A5. But it costs extra on the 4 Series Convertible.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the A5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the A5 and 4 Series Convertible offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the A5 with Rear Cross-Traffic Assist also has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Convertible’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the A5 and the 4 Series Convertible 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 around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the A5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4 Series Convertible has not been tested, yet.

The Audi A5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the 4 Series Convertible’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A5’s reliability 17 points higher than the 4 Series Convertible.

The A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 6 more horsepower (261 vs. 255) than the 430i Convertible’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the A5 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the 4 Series Convertible:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi A5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 4 Series Convertible requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The A5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the A5’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Convertible:

For better traction, the A5 has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Convertible (245/40R18 vs. 225/45R18). The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Convertible (255/35R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The A5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 430i’s standard 45 series tires. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the 4 Series Convertible’s optional 40 series front tires.

The A5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 4 Series Convertible; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the A5’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the 4 Series Convertible’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Audi A5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the BMW 4 Series Convertible.

The A5 is 3 inches shorter than the 430i, making the A5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The A5 is 3.1 inches shorter than the M440i.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the A5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The A5’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 4 Series Convertible’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Laser headlights, standard on the A5 Prestige, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the 4 Series Convertible’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A5 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A5 Coupe has standard extendable sun visors. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The A5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the 4 Series Convertible. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Convertible.

The A5 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 4 Series Convertible.

The A5 Coupe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Insurance will cost less for the A5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the A5 will cost $605 to $4735 less than the 4 Series Convertible over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi A5 will be $3152 to $8715 less than for the BMW 4 Series Convertible.