Compare the2025 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2024 Audi A5

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 2 Series are reminded to check the back seat. The A5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The A5 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The 2 Series 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A5.

The 2 Series’ 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 A5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 2 Series and the A5 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A5.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series’ warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 2 Series has a standard 170-amp alternator (210-amp - 2 Series 6 cyl.). The A5’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The A5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 85 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 10 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The 230i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 121 more horsepower (382 vs. 261) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better mileage than the A5 Coupe:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 2 Series as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Audi A5 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

For better stopping power the M240i Coupe xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

The 2 Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 2 Series offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A5.

For better maneuverability, the 2 Series’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the A5’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The BMW 2 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 250 pounds less than the Audi A5.

The 230i is 5.9 inches shorter than the A5, making the 2 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 2 Series amounts to more than styling. The 2 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .28 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the A5 (.32 to .33). A more efficient exterior helps the 2 Series go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 2 Series get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 2 Series a Compact car, while the A5 Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The 2 Series has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A5 Coupe (88 vs. 84).

The 2 Series Coupe has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the A5 Coupe.

The 2 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the A5 Coupe (13.8 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

If the front windows are left open on the 2 Series the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 2 Series offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 2 Series offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The A5 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 BMW 2 Series has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The A5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The 2 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The 2 Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 2 Series will retain 51.35% to 52.16% of its original price after five years, while the A5 only retains 47.82% to 49.46%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 2 Series will be $9295 to $9329 less than for the Audi A5.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The A5 isn’t in the top three in its category.