A5 vs 2 Series Gran Coupe
For compact luxury car shoppers, the A5 from Audi and the 2 Series Gran Coupe from BMW are two of the obvious candidates. By our tally, the 2 Series Gran Coupe leads 1 of 4 areas. The fuel economy & range section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the A5.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A5 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range 2 Series Gran Coupe wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.6
- 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 better fuel economy
The A5 gives up a lot on fuel economy (combined): 26 mpg, compared with 30 mpg on the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The 2 Series Gran Coupe uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The A5 has 27 hp more power
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The A5’s 268 hp beats the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s 241 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The 2 Series Gran Coupe has better highway fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The 2 Series Gran Coupe brings 38 mpg to the table; the A5 brings 31 mpg. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
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The 2 Series Gran Coupe has better city fuel economy
When it comes to fuel economy (city), the 2 Series Gran Coupe wins comfortably with 26 mpg against 22 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
A5 leads
On engine & performance, the difference is modest, and it favors the A5. Here the A5 offers 27 hp more power. The A5’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. That makes the A5 the natural choice for buyers focused on engine & performance.
Total system output
A5: 268 hp 2 Series Gran Coupe: 241 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Fuel Economy & Range
2 Series Gran Coupe leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The 2 Series Gran Coupe answers with better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. If fuel economy & range is your priority, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is the car to pick.
Fuel economy (combined)
A5: 26 mpg 2 Series Gran Coupe: 30 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (highway)
A5: 31 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
Call the space & practicality round a draw. For space & practicality, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Side by side, the off-road & towing figures for the A5 and the 2 Series Gran Coupe barely differ. If off-road & towing was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A5 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 268 hp (winner) | 241 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | AWD (xDrive) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A5 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg | 30 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 26 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 38 mpg (winner) Best highway economy |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A5 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A5 | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A5 | 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 A5 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (268 hp vs 241 hp)
- you’re comfortable with how Audi does things
Choose the 2 Series Gran Coupe if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (30 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (38 mpg vs 31 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (26 mpg vs 22 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the A5 or the 2 Series Gran Coupe?
The 2 Series Gran Coupe makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d rather have 27 hp more power on the A5.
Executive Summary
Comparing the A5 and the 2 Series Gran Coupe feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is better fuel economy, and that goes to the 2 Series Gran Coupe. I also like that the 2 Series Gran Coupe brings better city fuel economy. The A5 isn’t without merit: 27 hp more power is a real advantage.
Think about your week. Heavy on engine & performance? The A5. More about fuel economy & range? The 2 Series Gran Coupe.
My pick: the 2 Series Gran Coupe. I’d only go for the A5 if you specifically want 27 hp more power, where the A5 has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.