Compare the2026 BMW i4VS 2025 Audi A6 e-tron

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The i4 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A6 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the i4 and the A6 e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A6 e-tron.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the i4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 73 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The i4 has more powerful engines than the A6 e-tron:

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 xDrive40 electric motors is faster than the Audi A6 e-tron electric motor:

For better stopping power the i4 M60’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A6 e-tron:

The i4 stops much shorter than the A6 e-tron:

For better traction, the i4 M60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A6 e-tron (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. F:235/45R20 & R:265/40R20).

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6 e-tron’s 55 series front tires. The i4 M60’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the A6 e-tron’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the A6 e-tron, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 M60 handles at .96 G’s, while the A6 e-tron Prestige pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The i4 eDrive40 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A6 e-tron Prestige (25.2 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

The BMW i4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 400 pounds less than the Audi A6 e-tron.

The i4 is 5.5 inches shorter than the A6 e-tron, making the i4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The i4 has a larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the A6 e-tron with its rear seat folded (45.6 vs. 39.9 cubic feet).

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The A6 e-tron has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by almost four to one during 2025.