Audi S5 vs BMW M4

The S5 is the performance version of the A5, a compact luxury car equipped with a handy Sportback design that offers more utility than a traditional three-box sedan. With the 2026 S5, Audi attempts to right some technological wrongs, returning familiar controls to the car while introducing an all-new Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system with AI-enhanced voice controls.

Verdict: Dull design and distracting technology are the trade-offs for the 2026 Audi S5’s thrilling dynamics and daily driver practicality. Nevertheless, the stealthy anonymity draws from a classic German sports sedan recipe, and buyers can choose not to use certain features.

The high-performance member of the BMW 4 Series family, the 2025 M4 is available as a coupe or a convertible, with or without a manual transmission, and with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). For 2025, the M4 gets a light detail refresh, a slight power bump for Competition xDrive models, and a new operating system for the infotainment system. A limited-production M4 CS coupe is also available.

Verdict: Top up or down, driven in epic traffic or on epic roads, the M4 remains one of the best-driving BMWs money can buy. Comfortable when you want it, track-ready when you need it, and able to seat four people while carrying a decent amount of cargo, the M4 is a terrific all-around automobile.