High-tech exec battle
The all-new Audi A6 midsize luxury sedan debuted this year, bringing a much-needed revamp to Audi’s executive car. Inside and out, the A6 is completely new, but it needed to be to keep up with the likes of the BMW 5 Series. The 5 Series also entered a new generation recently, and both German sedans are now as tech-heavy as they’ve ever been. They still prioritize power, comfort, and refinement, though, but how do they do this uniquely? Here are three key differences between them.
1. BMW Has More Powertrain Options
BMW
Audi
For now, there’s only one powertrain option for the Audi A6. It’s a powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S tronic automatic. This combination gets the A6 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
The BMW 5 Series, meanwhile, starts off with the 530i, which has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. RWD is standard and AWD optional, and the transmission is an eight-speed automatic. To match the A6’s performance, you’ll need at least the 540i, which has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder making 375 hp and 398 lb-ft; here, AWD is standard and the 0-60 time is 4.4 seconds.
Finally, BMW also sells the 550e plug-in hybrid, which combines the turbo-six engine with an electric motor to produce 483 hp and 516 lb-ft combined. This model hits 60 in 4.1 seconds and can cover over 30 miles on electric power alone.
Until Audi adds more variants of the A6, the BMW has the edge as it simply provides consumers with more choice.
2. 5 Series Is More Efficient
BMW
Audi
The sole Audi A6 gets 20/29/23 mpg city/highway/combined with its V6. The base BMW 530i is much more efficient, as this one gets 28/35/31 mpg with RWD or 27/35/30 mpg with AWD. Even the six-cylinder 540i is great, with figures of 26/32/28 mpg.
Finally, if you go for the 550e PHEV, you can expect figures of 68 MPGe or 25 mpg combined, along with the ability to cover 34 miles on electric power alone.Â
3. Audi Has More Standard Features
At $64,100, the base Audi A6 Premium is more expensive than the base 530i, which costs $59,900. However, the 540i xDrive is a more direct competitor, and this starts at $67,100.
In our analysis of the A6’s base price versus the 5 Series, we noted that the Audi gets standard features that are optional on the BMW. These include ventilated front seats, standard leather upholstery (instead of the BMW’s standard imitation leather), and three-zone dual-zone climate control (dual-zone on the BMW).
The A6 Premium Plus at $67,500 virtually matches the 540i on price, but adds a Bang & Olufsen sound system, matrix design LED headlights, a top-view camera system, four-zone climate control, a head-up display, and heated rear seats, all of which cost extra on the 540i.
Final Thoughts
These are two excellent executive sedans. Comfort and refinement are up there with the best, regardless of which one you choose, and we’ll leave it up to you to decide which sedan looks the best.
If you’re splurging on a six-cylinder model, the Audi A6 looks like a solid bet, as it offers more features for the money. Equipped to the same standard, the 540i costs more. The A6 is fractionally slower and the BMW is a lot more efficient, though.
If you want a cheaper four-cylinder model or the power/efficiency of a plug-in hybrid, the BMW 5 Series is the only one to offer these options. Audi is expected to grow the A6 lineup over time, which should broaden its appeal.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog