Audi S4 vs. BMW M5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi S4 and BMW M5 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi S4 and the BMW M5.
When we compare the Audi S4's and the BMW M5's specifications and ratings, the Audi S4 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The BMW M5 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi S4's and the BMW M5's specifications and ratings, the Audi S4 is a better car than the BMW M5.
Pricing: For a new model, the Audi S4's price is between $60,760 and $70,238, with the BMW M5 priced between $120,080 and $152,523.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi S4 loses 48.1 percent of its value and the BMW M5 loses 54.1 percent of its value. This means the Audi S4 retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi S4 is 7.7 out of 10 while the BMW M5's quality rating is 7.3 out of 10. This results in the Audi S4 being ranked 15 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW M5 being ranked 15 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi S4 is 7.9 out of 10. For the BMW M5 the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the Audi S4 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi S4’s base engine makes 349 horsepower, and the BMW M5 base engine makes 600 horsepower. The S4 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 444 miles. The M5 is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. This gives the Audi S4 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW M5. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW M5, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$60,760 - $70,238
Starting MSRP:
$54,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$120,080 - $152,523
Starting MSRP:
$109,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$71,383
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$38,195 - $134,100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
16
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
10,589
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$107,306
Price Range:
$96,169 - $120,129
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$71,027
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$39,610 - $126,923
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
34
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
18,835
# Good or Great Deals:
5
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$26,695
Depreciation %:
49%
Resale Value $:
$27,805
Residual Value %:
51%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$59,969
Depreciation %:
54.6%
Resale Value $:
$49,931
Residual Value %:
45.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
45.7% - 54.6%
Audi S4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW M5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi S4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 28.7
Audi S4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
24 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 31Ranking
28 out of / 36Ranking
31 out of / 36BMW M5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 20Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi S4 Trim Levels
3.0T quattro Premium, 3.0T quattro Premium Plus, 3.0T quattro Prestige
BMW M5 Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
349 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1370 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.090 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
600 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
553 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.138 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
321 / 444 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 21 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
302 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
14 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
103.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3880 lbs
Width:
79.6 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
187.5 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
83.7 inches
Height:
58 inches
Length:
196.4 inches
Wheelbase:
117.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/35R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Green
District Green Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Marina Bay Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Alvite Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
San Remo Green Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Rotor Gray
Brown
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black/Midrand Beige
Gray
Silverstone
Brown
Aragon Brown / Tartufo
White
Smoke White/Black
