A4 vs 2 Series Gran Coupe
For compact luxury car shoppers, the A4 from Audi and the 2 Series Gran Coupe from BMW are two of the obvious candidates. Scoring each area separately, the 2 Series Gran Coupe comes out on top 2 times out of 4. Its lead is sharpest in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance 2 Series Gran Coupe wins
- Fuel Economy & Range 2 Series Gran Coupe wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance3.1
- Fuel Economy & Range7.9
- Engine & Performance6.3
- Fuel Economy & Range8.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The 2 Series Gran Coupe has 40 hp more power
The A4 gives up a lot on total system output: 201 hp, compared with 241 hp on the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The 2 Series Gran Coupe has 59 lb-ft more torque
Few buyers will miss this one. The 2 Series Gran Coupe brings 295 lb-ft to the table; the A4 brings 236 lb-ft. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The 2 Series Gran Coupe has better highway fuel economy
The 2 Series Gran Coupe nudges ahead with 38 mpg, while the A4 lists 36 mpg. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
2 Series Gran Coupe leads
If engine & performance is high on your list, the 2 Series Gran Coupe makes the stronger case by a wide margin. Point to the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 40 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. Net result: the 2 Series Gran Coupe leads this part of the comparison.
Total system output
A4: 201 hp 2 Series Gran Coupe: 241 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
A4: 236 lb-ft 2 Series Gran Coupe: 295 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
2 Series Gran Coupe leads
The A4 comes close on fuel economy & range, but the 2 Series Gran Coupe does just enough to lead. The 2 Series Gran Coupe wins here with better highway fuel economy. The 2 Series Gran Coupe uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes. In short, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is the better-equipped car for fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (highway)
A4: 36 mpg 2 Series Gran Coupe: 38 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Neither the A4 nor the 2 Series Gran Coupe has a real advantage in the space & practicality category. The space & practicality verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if off-road & towing was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. On off-road & towing alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A4 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (12V mild hybrid) | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 201 hp | 241 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 236 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | AWD (xDrive) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A4 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 29 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 36 mpg | 38 mpg (winner) Best highway economy |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A4 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A4 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A4 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 2 Series Gran Coupe if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (241 hp vs 201 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (295 lb-ft vs 236 lb-ft of torque)
- you cover long highway distances (38 mpg vs 36 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A4 or the 2 Series Gran Coupe?
On the specs compared here, the 2 Series Gran Coupe makes more sense for most buyers; the A4 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the A4’s and the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s) so you don’t have to. I’d put 40 hp more power at the top of the list, and it belongs to the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Add better highway fuel economy to the list, and the 2 Series Gran Coupe looks even better.
A quick self-test: do you care more about the things a spec sheet can’t capture or engine & performance? The first answer means the A4, the second means the 2 Series Gran Coupe.
My pick: the 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.