Audi RS5 vs BMW i5
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
Audi RS5
From $179,900
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Twin-turbo V6 and Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (PHEV)
470kW
4.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Overseas model shownBMW i5
From $155,900
Sedan
Electric
Electric
250kW
—
ANCAP: no data
490L
Audi RS5: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi RS5 starts from $179,900 before on-road costs, while the BMW i5 opens at $155,900. That makes the BMW i5 the more affordable entry point by $24,000.
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 $197,890 and $171,490 respectively.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
22kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
81.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi RS5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the BMW i5 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi RS5 stands out with ventilated seats, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW i5. The BMW i5 counters with Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi RS5 gets rs sport seats plus in leather combination upholstery, perforated with honeycomb pattern (leather appointed: genuine and artificial leather) upholstery while the BMW i5 offers vernasca leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi RS5 and 2-zone in the BMW i5.
Drivetrain
The Audi RS5 uses a Twin-turbo V6 and Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (PHEV) producing 470kW and 825Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed tiptronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds.
The BMW i5 responds with a Electric making 250kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
The Audi RS5 has the clear power advantage at 470kW vs 250kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi RS5 is 2.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 25.9kWh (Audi RS5) vs 81.2kWh (BMW i5), giving WLTP ranges of 78km and 557km.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m diameter
Average
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years (Audi RS5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi RS5 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i5 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW i5 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi RS5 and BMW i5?
The BMW i5 is the cheapest at $155,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi RS5 by $24,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi RS5 uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi RS5 and BMW i5 carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi RS5 makes the most power at 470kW. The Audi RS5 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.6s.
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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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