Compare the2026 BMW i5VS 2026 Audi e-tron GT

The i5’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the i5 and the e-tron GT 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 and available around view monitors.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the i5’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.

On the EPA test cycle the i5 gets better mileage than the e-tron GT:

The i5 stops shorter than the e-tron GT:

The i5 M60 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i5’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the e-tron GT (117.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The i5 M60 xDrive handles at .96 G’s, while the S e-tron GT Prestige pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The i5 M60 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S e-tron GT Prestige (23.9 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 24.5 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

The BMW i5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Audi e-tron GT.

The i5 has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron GT.

The i5 has a much larger trunk than the e-tron GT (17.3 vs. 9.2 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the i5 offers cargo security. The e-tron GT’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the e-tron GT, the i5 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The i5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron GT’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the i5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The i5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i5, based on reliability, safety and performance.