Audi S5 vs BMW 3 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
Data checked: specs 30 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$99,900RRP
- with the BMW 3 Series's standard kit: $99,900 (nothing to add)
$94,700RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi S5 starts from $99,900 before on-road costs, while the BMW 3 Series opens at $94,700. That makes the BMW 3 Series the more affordable entry point by $5,200.
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 $109,890 and $104,170 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the BMW 3 Series. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Audi S5
None open on our record
BMW 3 Series
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006667 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, moisture may be able to enter the starter motor causing corrosion and result in the engine not starting.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2020
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- 6 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Audi S5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the BMW 3 Series gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi S5 stands out with head-up display, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi S5 gets leather upholstery while the BMW 3 Series offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi S5 and 2-zone in the BMW 3 Series.
Drivetrain
The Audi S5 uses a Petrol MHEV producing 270kW and 550Nm of torque, sent through a s tronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds.
The BMW 3 Series responds with a Petrol making 190kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.
The Audi S5 has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 190kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi S5 is 1.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi S5 measures 4,829mm long on a 2,892mm wheelbase, 116mm longer than the BMW 3 Series at 4,713mm (2,851mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi S5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 445L in the Audi S5 and 480L in the BMW 3 Series, giving the BMW 3 Series a 35L advantage.
For towing, the Audi S5 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m 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 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,024/year for the Audi S5 and $1,853/year for the BMW 3 Series. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the BMW 3 Series.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi S5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi S5 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Audi S5: Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 68, but the BMW 3 Series is $5,200 cheaper
The Audi S5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (73 vs 68), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Audi S5 ahead by 27), performance (Audi S5 ahead by 17), fuel economy (BMW 3 Series ahead by 5). The BMW 3 Series will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 3 Series 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 S5 and BMW 3 Series?
The BMW 3 Series is the cheapest at $94,700 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi S5 by $5,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 3 Series uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi S5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We hold no ANCAP data for BMW 3 Series, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 3 Series has the largest boot at 480L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi S5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi S5 makes the most power at 270kW. The Audi S5 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.5s.
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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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