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2021 BMW M440i xDrive vs. 2021 Audi S5
2021 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe ・ Photo by BMW
Although we still love powerful luxury sports coupes, and they still have a loyal following, they aren’t nearly as popular as they used to be. Sales are slumping as SUVs take over the world, and cars like the all-new 2021 BMW M440i xDrive and its rival, the Audi S5, have become more about corporate bragging rights and brand image than sales numbers and profit margins.
On paper, these two turbocharged German coupes seem pretty much the same — carbon copies of the same set of blueprints. They’re about the same size. Both seat four. Each has a sophisticated six-cylinder engine with more than 350 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and the latest in-cabin tech. And both cost north of $50,000. But which is best? Let’s examine the all-new 2021 BMW M440i xDrive and the 2021 Audi S5 in key areas and decide.
Styling and Design
We’re not going to beat around the bush. Have you seen the BMW’s cockamamie new grille yet? The fresh take on the brand’s famed twin-kidney design is causing quite a bit of controversy. Some people are praising BMW’s willingness to take chances, while others think the sleek new 2021 4 Series has a bad case of buckteeth. Is Bugs Bunny still popular in Germany? Otherwise, this is an undeniably sharp-looking coupe with minimalist lines, muscular fenders, and BMW’s familiar Hofmeister kink, which shapes its rear side glass. Both cars have standard LED lights, but the BMW is a bit larger, with 3 inches more length and 3.4 inches of additional wheelbase.
Along with the less powerful A5, Audi redesigned the S5 in 2018, and it has been one of the world’s most visually striking coupes ever since, with big curves, hard lines, and a broad stance. Though the shape is now a few years old, it still looks fresh, and the Audi’s impeccable detail and pleasing proportions remain hard to beat. Few cars look better going down the road.
Photo by Audi
Comfort and Cargo
Both cars are quiet on the highway, but the Audi’s seats are more comfortable. The seats in the BMW are far from backbreakers; in fact, they’re quite supportive, but they’re firmer than they need to be. We also prefer the Audi’s ride quality. Both of our test cars featured sport-tuned suspensions and 19-inch wheels and tires, but the Audi rode just a bit smoother despite its shorter wheelbase. The ride of the BMW M440i xDrive is definitely the firmer of the two.
Both coupes offer about the same amount of interior storage, cupholders, and trunk space. The trunk of the BMW measures 12 cubic feet of space, while the Audi’s trunk offers 10.9. Close enough. Both also come standard with a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, which easily drops flat for larger items.
Photo by Audi
Infotainment System
Remember when BMW’s iDrive system required a degree from MIT to operate? That was a long time ago. Now in its seventh generation, iDrive is one of the best systems out there. It’s as easy to use as Audi’s system, and it responds just as quickly. The BMW’s system also features a touchscreen, modern graphics, Apple CarPlay compatibility, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Unfortunately, its standard screen is 8.8-inches. Our test car’s 10.25-inch screen costs extra. That shouldn’t be in a car this expensive.
Last year, Audi dialed up the A5’s infotainment system. The all-new system is much faster and easier to use, and its graphics are sharp and modern. Audi helped pioneer onboard Wi-Fi, which is standard, and this year the system gets wireless Apple CarPlay. Functionally, the two systems are equals — but the Audi has a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, and because of that, we give the edge to the S5 in this category.
Photo by Audi
Safety and Technology
Both cars come with a long list of standard advanced safety systems, including a lane-departure warning with steering corrections, frontal collision preparation, a forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision preparation, automatic high beams, and speed limit information. Optional systems include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-keep assist. BMW also offers a Level 2 autonomous assist system, which allows for extended hands-free vehicle operation.
Neither of these coupes has been independently crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested the Audi A4 sedan, which shares its chassis with the S5, and it did quite well. IIHS has also tested the 2020 BMW 3 Series sedan, which shares its chassis with the new M440i xDrive, and named it a Top Safety Pick, giving the BMW a slight edge in this category.
BMW M440i xDrive
Photo by BMW
Power and Performance
Both of these coupes are all-wheel drive and powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder engine. The Audi’s 3.0-liter V6 is rated 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. A well-tuned seven-speed automatic transmission is standard, and the S5 coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, according to Audi. Surprisingly, and disappointingly, a manual transmission isn’t available in either car.
The BMW’s inline six-cylinder is smoother, more sophisticated, and more powerful than Audi’s V6. With mild assist from a 48-volt hybrid system BMW’s 3.0-liter produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque — 62 hp more 36 more lb-ft than last year. It’s partnered with a well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. According to BMW, the M440i is also quicker than the Audi, hitting 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, and it feels considerably quicker than its rival on the road.
BMW M440i xDrive
Photo by BMW
Fuel Economy
The Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t finalized the BMW’s fuel mileage estimates yet, however, we expect the M440i to match the fuel mileage of the M340i sedan with the optional all-wheel drive. Both cars use the same chassis, engine, and transmission. With AWD, the M340i is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
According to the EPA, as well as our testing, the Audi S5 is the thirstier of the two. The Audi’s EPA estimates are 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. In our testing, we averaged 29 mpg during a week of mixed driving in the BMW, compared with 23 mpg in the Audi under similar conditions.
BMW M440i xDrive
Photo by BMW
Driving Dynamics
A decade ago, the Audi S5 wouldn’t have stood a chance in this category. Back then, BMW was still leading the world in dynamics, its cars truly living up to their advertising tag line of "The Ultimate Driving Machine." Audi and the rest of the industry were playing catchup.
Now the situation has flipped. We actually prefer driving the Audi, despite the fact that the BMW has the superior drivetrain and probably delivers more ultimate road holding. How can this be? While both cars are fast and engaging to drive the S5 is the sharper machine and strikes the better balance between luxury and sport. The BMW is still a proper driver’s car, but it too often prioritized smoothness over responsiveness, and the coupe’s steering feel — once a company hallmark — isn’t as natural as the Audi’s.
Audi S5
Photo by Audi
Value
The base price of the 2021 Audi S5, including its $1,045 destination fee, is $53,545. Remember, that includes the 10.1-inch touchscreen. Our heavily equipped test car in the top-of-the-line Prestige trim level cost $65,445.
The BMW costs considerably more at first, but loaded up the two cars cost about the same. Prices start at $59,495, including a $995 destination charge. With options, including its optional 10.25-inch screen, heated seats, and a few other extras, our test car cost about $66,500. Basically, lay off some of the extra-cost options and the Audi is the better deal.
Audi S5
Photo by Audi
Verdict
This was a very close fight. The winning car took just five of the nine categories. Overall, the new 2021 BMW M440i xDrive is an impressive package with a daring design, incredible build quality, and inspired performance. BMW’s M Division has a long history of exceptional and exceptionally fast coupes, and it has created another. We recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and sexy German sports coupe.
That said, the Audi A5 wins this hard-fought competition. Although it cannot equal the BMW’s ultimate performance, it’s more fun to drive more often, it’s more comfortable, and it offers considerably more value.
Photo by Audi