Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series 03/18/2011
Two of the top luxury sedans on the market are the BMW 528i and the Audi A6. So which ultimately offers drivers the better value?
These two cars are very close in price, with the 5 Series at $45,020 and the A6 slightly more expensive at $45,200. They're both backed by the industry-standard 4 year/50,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Things look very similar under the hood as well. BMW opts for an inline six-cylinder engine, while the Audi sports a V6. That means the A6 wins out on power, with 265 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque beating the BMW's 240 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque. Yet the BMW has better fuel economy (22/33 over Audi's 21/30) and we also prefer the 528i's shiftable eight-speed automatic transmission.
The interiors of both vehicles are appropriately luxurious. The standout feature for the 528i is the BMW Assist program, which is somewhat similar to OnStar, providing roadside assistance and concierge service. Audi has some nice standard features of its own, however, such as a built-in hard drive, navigation system and satellite radio - all of which cost extra on the 5 Series.
In the end, we think that the BMW 5 Series is the all-around better vehicle, although performance enthusiasts wouldn't be faulted for taking the A6.