A6 e-tron vs 5 Series
The A6 e-tron and the 5 Series are direct rivals in the midsize luxury car class, one from Audi and one from BMW. Expect a close race. The A6 e-tron and the 5 Series trade small edges rather than knockout blows.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A6 e-tron wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
Key Differences
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The A6 e-tron has 120 hp more power
Among all the differences on this page, 375 hp against 255 hp is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the A6 e-tron. The A6 e-tron’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
A6 e-tron leads
On engine & performance, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the A6 e-tron. The A6 e-tron brings 120 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. That makes the A6 e-tron the natural choice for buyers focused on engine & performance.
Total system output
A6 e-tron: 375 hp 5 Series: 255 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Call the space & practicality round a draw. Treat space & practicality as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
In the off-road & towing category, the A6 e-tron and the 5 Series land in almost the same place. The off-road & towing verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Safety & Tech
On safety & tech, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A6 e-tron | 5 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Electric | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | Single rear electric motor | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 375 hp (winner) | 255 hp |
| Torque | N/A (not specified) | 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 1-speed direct drive | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (quattro AWD available) | RWD (xDrive AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A6 e-tron | 5 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 31 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 28 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 35 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A6 e-tron | 5 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A6 e-tron | 5 Series |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A6 e-tron | 5 Series |
|---|---|---|
| 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 A6 e-tron if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (375 hp vs 255 hp)
- you already know your way around Audi’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the A6 e-tron or the 5 Series?
On the specs compared here, the A6 e-tron makes more sense for most buyers; the 5 Series doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
The A6 e-tron against the 5 Series: two brands, one class, and more nuance than the marketing suggests. The A6 e-tron earns my vote first and foremost with 120 hp more power.
Think about your week. Heavy on engine & performance? The A6 e-tron. More about the things a spec sheet can’t capture? The 5 Series.
My pick: the A6 e-tron.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.