Audi RS vs BMW 5 Series

The short version

The BMW 5 Series is more fuel-efficient: 31 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $900 a year less in fuel for the BMW 5 Series (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW 5 Series is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the BMW 5 Series has had fewer recall campaigns (9 vs 14).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi RS is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 5-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,740 lb.

The 2026 BMW 5 Series is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,158 lb (5-Series 530i Xdrive 4dr Sedan).

Buying used? The 2020 RS and the 2024 5 Series have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 RS.