Audi a6 vs bmw 5 series 2022

The 2022 Audi A6 is an automobile with superb powertrains, an outstanding safety record and wonderful design. How does it compare to the 2022 BMW 5 Series, a car with a spacious cabin, large touchscreens and a high performance engine?

Design & Style

The BMW 5 Series is moderately sized and sold in four different powertrains. Both the bumpers and illumination have been revised in the newest edition and it now has a bigger kidney grille with a frontal fascia that has been enlarged and swept around corners. Within the cabin, the wooden and chrome trim extend along the dash board and its synthetic leather is especially attractive when combined with coffeehouse colored hues.

The Audi A8 can be purchased in the wagon or sedan variant and it has four doors with the choice of a dual turbo V6 or turbo 4 engine. Adventurous outdoorsmen also have the option of an A6 Allroad which uses an elevated riding structure making it ideal for off-road operation. The cabin is roomy with advanced tech such as digital displays and touchscreens in multiple locations, and the seats provide excellent support for the back.

Technology & Safety

The 2022 Audi A6 has garnered a 5 star rating courtesy of the NHTSA as well as the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It comes with cruise control that is adaptive and lane control that is active, as well as emergency automated brakes and multiple airbags. Luxuries within the cabin include an audio system from Bang & Olufsen, 9 inch touch display, the choice of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and digitized instrument cluster.

The BMW 5 Series has yet to be tested by the NHTSA though the IIHS also gave it the Top Safety Pick+. It has many of the countermeasures found in the Audi A6, including LED headlights which are adaptive, emergency automated brakes, the ability to detect pedestrians and driver assistance. Luxuries within its cabin include heated/cooled seats, a camera with surround view, sunroof, keyless start and ambient lighting.

Performance

Those that purchase the BMW 550i will get a V8, dual turbo engine that is 4.4 liter and capable of generating 523 horsepower with 553 pounds of torque that allows it to blast from zero to sixty in around 3.6 seconds. Those that purchase the Audi RS Avant will also get a dual turbo V8 engine that can generate 591 horsepower and accelerate from zero to sixty in around 3.5 seconds.

The Bottom Line

The BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 are closely tied when it comes performance and interior amenities. However, the BMW charges extra just for leather and it hasn't been tested by the NHTSA while the Audi A6 has, making it the winner.

Ready to Schedule a 2022 Audi A6 Test Drive Today?

If you are interested in experiencing the luxury package that the 2022 Audi A6 offers, you can test drive this stellar car with us at Audi New Rochelle. We are located in Eastchester New York and proudly serve car buyers in the Tri-State area. Drop by our showroom today or simply call us in advance to book a 2022 Audi A6 test drive appointment.

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 5 Series Sedan offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A6 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 5 Series Sedan helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The A6 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 5 Series Sedan has a standard blind spot warning system which 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. Only the A6 Premium Plus/Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 5 Series Sedan has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the A6 Premium Plus/Prestige has a rear cross-path warning system.

The 5 Series Sedan’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 A6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 5 Series Sedan and the A6 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, 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 all wheel drive.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series Sedan 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 A6.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 5 Series Sedan’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 5 Series Sedan second among midsize premium cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The A6 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 20th in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers,Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

Engine

The 5 Series Sedan has more powerful engines than the A6:

	Horsepower	Torque
540i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	335 HP	331 lbs.-ft.
M550i 4.4 turbo V8	523 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
A6 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	261 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid	335 HP	369 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the 540i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

5 Series Sedan

Zero to 60 MPH

4.9 sec

5 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

106.2 MPH

102.7 MPH

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 5 Series Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

The 5 Series Sedan’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 A6 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 5 Series Sedan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

530i

M550i

Front Rotors

13.7 inches

14.7 inches

13.3 inches

Rear Rotors

13 inches

13.6 inches

13 inches

The 5 Series Sedan stops shorter than the A6:

	5 Series Sedan	A6
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	107 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The 5 Series Sedan’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 5 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A6 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 5 Series Sedan 540i/M550i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The A6 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M550i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the A6.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 5 Series Sedan’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the A6 (117.1 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

Chassis

The BMW 5 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Audi A6.

The front grille of the 5 Series Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A6 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The 5 Series Sedan has .8 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more front shoulder room than the A6.

Cargo Capacity

The 5 Series Sedan has a larger trunk than the A6 (14 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

The 5 Series Sedan offers a 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 A6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Model Availability

The 5 Series Sedan is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 5 Series Sedan owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 5 Series Sedan with a number “1” insurance rate while the A6 is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 5 Series Sedan is less expensive to operate than the A6 because it costs $409 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 5 Series Sedan than the A6, including $297 less for a starter, $1259 less for fuel injection and $31 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 5 Series Sedan and the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

What is the Audi equivalent to the 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 are two of the best luxury midsize sedans on the market today. The two brands go about their winning formulas a bit differently. BMW employs an athletic take on luxury. Audi cars deliver a refined ride and the latest technology.

What BMW is comparable to Audi A6?

The luxury car market is incredibly competitive. Audi and BMW are in a constant struggle to win over the hearts of premium car fans. The Audi A6 Saloon and the BMW 5 Series Saloon sit snugly in the middle of both manufacturers' ranges and are in direct competition with one another.

Is BMW 5 Series a luxury car?

The 2022 BMW 5 Series ranks toward the top of the luxury midsize car class. The 5 Series has lively engine performance and handling, a spacious interior, comfy seats, a wealth of standard tech features, and an easy-to-use infotainment system.

What is the difference between Audi A6 and Audi S6?

The Audi A6 price is ₹ 59.84 Lakh and Audi S6 price is ₹ 96.36 Lakh. The Audi A6 is available in 1984 cc engine with 1 fuel type options: Petrol and Audi S6 is available in 3993 cc engine with 1 fuel type options: Petrol. A6 provides the mileage of 14 kmpl and S6 provides the mileage of 10.2 kmpl.