Audi A5 vs BMW Z4
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Audi A5 starts from $79,900 before on-road costs, while the BMW Z4 opens at $99,200. That makes the Audi A5 the more affordable entry point by $19,300.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $87,890 and $109,120 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi A5 by roughly $1,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A5 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the BMW Z4 gets a 10.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A5 stands out with head-up display, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the BMW Z4. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi A5 uses a 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection, turbocharging producing 150kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.8 seconds.
The BMW Z4 responds with a Petrol making 145kW and 300Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
The Audi A5 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 145kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW Z4 is 2.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi A5 measures 4,762mm long on a 2,821mm wheelbase, 427mm longer than the BMW Z4 at 4,335mm (2,470mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the Audi A5 and 210L in the BMW Z4, giving the Audi A5 a 190L advantage. The Audi A5 seats 5 vs 2.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,967/year for the Audi A5 and $2,223/year for the BMW Z4. That is a $256 annual difference in favour of the Audi A5.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Audi A5) vs $2,223 (BMW Z4). The Audi A5 saves you roughly $256 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW Z4). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW Z4 if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Audi A5 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Audi A5 will save you roughly $256 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Audi A5 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A5 and BMW Z4?
The Audi A5 is the cheapest at $79,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW Z4 by $19,300.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A5 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Audi A5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A5 has the largest boot at 400L.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi A5 makes the most power at 150kW. The BMW Z4 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.4s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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