Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series: C9 against G60
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Audi · 2025–present
A6 C9
- Power
- 150 kW204 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.9 s
- Top speed
- -
- Kerb mass
- -
BMW · 2023–present
5 Series G60
- Power
- 145 kW197 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.5 s
- Top speed
- 233 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,850 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: A6 C9 0 5 Series G60 2
- Family 5 Series G60 Boot: 520 l vs 503 l
- City Too close to call Length: 5,000 mm vs 5,060 mm
- Performance 5 Series G60 0–100 km/h: 7.5 s vs 7.9 s
Verdict Opinion
For buyers who want the widest choice, the BMW wins: diesel, petrol, two plug-in hybrids, a fully electric i5 and the M5 all sit within one model, and the saloon has the bigger boot. Euro NCAP awarded the G60 and i5 five stars in 2023.
The Audi answers with an entry price of €55,500 in April 2025, a TDI with 150 kW and 400 Nm that suits long distances, and the 5.00 m Avant estate. Drivers who want an electric Audi of this size need to look at the A6 e-tron instead.
- Felix Hartmann
The BMW 5 Series has been built since 1972 and introduced BMW's three-digit naming system. Audi's A6 name dates from 1994 and was first applied to a renamed C4 Audi 100, so the A6 continues a much older line. Since then they have shared the executive class with the Mercedes E-Class.
The latest round began in 2023. BMW revealed the eighth 5 Series, the G60, on 24 May 2023; production began at Dingolfing on 21 July 2023, and the electric i5 followed four days later. Audi's C9 A6 reached European customers as an Avant on 16 May 2025, with the saloon about ten weeks later. Audi had planned to call the combustion car A7 but kept the familiar name; its electric sibling is sold separately as the A6 e-tron.
Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series: engines, space and prices
Mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines
The C9 A6 starts with three engines, all with Audi's 48-volt "MHEV plus" system. The 2.0 TFSI and the 2.0 TDI both produce 150 kW (204 PS), with 340 and 400 Nm, and the 3.0 TFSI quattro has 270 kW (367 PS). BMW's G60 offers the 520i with 153 kW (208 PS) and the 520d with 145 kW (197 PS) and 400 Nm, so the diesels differ by just 5 kW with identical torque.
Plug-in hybrids and electric drive
Here the ranges diverge. The 5 Series includes the plug-in 530e with 220 kW and the 550e xDrive with 365 kW, the electric i5 eDrive40 with 250 kW and a WLTP range of 497–582 km, and the M5 as a 535 kW plug-in hybrid with 1,000 Nm. The C9 A6 has no plug-in hybrid; the previous C8 offered the 50 and 55 TFSI e.
Length: two five-metre cars
No 5 Series has been longer than the 5,060 mm G60, which exceeds the 4.99 m A6 saloon by about 70 mm. The A6 Avant measures 5.00 m. Both cars are now long enough to make a garage check worthwhile: our garage fit tool does it in a minute.
Boot volumes of saloons and estates
The BMW saloon holds 520 litres with petrol or plug-in drive (490 litres in the i5), against 492 litres in the A6 saloon. Among the estates, the 5 Series Touring offers 570–1,700 litres and the A6 Avant 503–1,534 litres.
List prices in Germany, 2023 and 2025
In April 2025 the A6 saloon was listed from €55,500 (2.0 TFSI); the TDI quattro cost €59,200 and the 3.0 TFSI quattro €70,000. BMW asked €57,550 for a 520i and €70,200 for an i5 eDrive40 in May 2023; the two price lists are two years apart.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | A6 C9 | 5 Series G60 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 523 | B · 507 |
| Power | 42 | 42 |
| Grip | 40 | 33 |
| Handling | 71 | 59 |
| Top speed | 42 | 51 |
| Launch | 43 | 45 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 5 Series G605 Series G60 · 520d · diesel · 145 kW (197 PS) 15.42 sat 145 km/h
- 2 A6 C9A6 C9 · 2.0 TDI · diesel · 150 kW (204 PS) 15.80 sat 141 km/h · +0.38 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| A6 C9 | 5 Series G60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,000 mm196.9 in | 5,060 mm199.2 in +60 mm +2.4 in +1.2% |
| Width | 1,900 mm74.8 in | 1,900 mm74.8 in |
| Height | 1,470 mm57.9 in | 1,515 mm59.6 in +45 mm +1.8 in +3.1% |
| Boot | 503 l17.8 cu ft | 520 l18.4 cu ft +17 l +0.6 cu ft +3.4% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | Too long |
Difference vs A6 C9 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Audi A6 | BMW 5 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | A6 C9 · 2.0 TDI · diesel · 150 kW (204 PS) | 5 Series G60 · 520d · diesel · 145 kW (197 PS) |
| Production years | 2025–present | 2023–present |
| Body | Station wagon | Sedan |
| Class | E-segment (executive) | E-segment (executive) |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 150 kW (204 PS) 201 hp Better | 145 kW (197 PS) 194 hp |
| Power, all versions | 66–463 kW (90–630 PS) 89–621 hp | 66–535 kW (90–727 PS) 89–717 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 400 Nm 295 lb-ft | 400 Nm 295 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 7.9 s | 7.5 s Better |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | No data | 233 km/h 145 mph |
| Power per tonne | No data | 78 kW/t 95 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 2,000 cc 2.0 l | No data |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | No data |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 5,000 mm 196.9 in | 5,060 mm 199.2 in |
| Width | 1,900 mm 74.8 in | 1,900 mm 74.8 in |
| Height | 1,470 mm 57.9 in | 1,515 mm 59.6 in |
| Wheelbase | No data | 2,995 mm 117.9 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | No data | 1,850 kg 4,079 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 503 l 17.8 cu ft | 520 l 18.4 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | No data | 60 l 15.9 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | No data | 5.1 l/100 km 46.1 mpg US |
| CO₂ | No data | 133 g/km |
| Fuel cost per year | No data | €1,260/year estimated |
| Range on a full tank | No data | 1,176 km 731 mi estimated |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | No data | ★★★★★ (2023) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (5): Class, Country, Torque, Fuel, Width.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.65/l diesel.
In plain words
BMW 5 Series is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 7.5 s against 7.9 s for Audi A6. BMW 5 Series is 60 mm longer than Audi A6 (5,060 mm vs 5,000 mm). BMW 5 Series has the bigger boot: 520 l against 503 l. BMW 5 Series is the older design (from 1972); Audi A6 arrived in 1994. On the catalog figures, the BMW 5 Series is the pick for family and performance. Our catalog has no kerb mass for the Audi A6 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Audi A6 if you mostly drive long distances on diesel, want quattro with a six-cylinder petrol engine, or prefer the Avant estate.
Choose the BMW 5 Series if you want a plug-in hybrid or the electric i5 in the same body, need the largest saloon boot, or are interested in the M5.
The fast versions have their own pages: the Audi S6 and the BMW M5 through all generations.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, the A6 or the 5 Series?
The G60 5 Series saloon is 5,060 mm long, about 70 mm more than the 4.99 m A6 saloon, and it has a larger boot: 520 against 492 litres.
Is there an electric A6 or 5 Series?
BMW sells the i5 as part of the 5 Series range. Audi's electric car of this size is the separate A6 e-tron.
Does the new A6 have a plug-in hybrid?
Not at launch. The C9 range has three mild-hybrid engines; the previous C8 offered the 50 and 55 TFSI e plug-ins.
Which diesel is stronger?
The Audi 2.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 PS). The BMW 520d has 145 kW (197 PS); both have 400 Nm.