No matter which luxury brand you choose, you're going to have a few expectations. For one thing, the interior needs to be sleek. You expect leather seating, advanced climate controls, and neat gadgets. However, what about the powertrain? What about safety?

Audi and BMW are undoubtedly two of the most popular luxury brands in the world. So, how do they compare to each other? In this Audi vs. BMW brand comparison, our car experts will show Miami, Miami Beach, and Hollywood, FL, drivers exactly that.


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Audi vs BMW: How Do They Differ?

Panoramic moonroofs, chic leather interior, soft ambient lighting-these are all features you're bound to find inside the cabin of both Audi and BMW vehicles. They're both luxury brands, no matter how you cut it, and that sense of style really shines through. Nevertheless, when you dig into their powertrains and array of tech features, the differences are glaring.

Comparing Performance

Turbocharging is standard in each of these brands. With their enhancements, a 4-cylinder engine can beat out the power and torque of your garden-variety 6-cylinder any day.

However, the Audi is just a bit more finely tuned. These cars feature Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection Systems (TFSI®), which pair with Audi valvelift technology to streamline power and cut down on fuel consumption in one fell swoop.

The super-smooth S tronic® transmission with quattro® all-wheel drive (AWD) is also exclusive to Audi, making for seamless shifts and maneuvers all around.

BMW engines do come with variable valve controls, but they can't quite compare to the potency of Audi Valvelift and TFSI®. Likewise, their standard automatic transmissions fall short of the S tronic®.

The Difference Between Safety Features

Technology makes a major difference in safety between these two vehicles. Sure, each model features stability and traction controls in some shape or form. However, whereas BMWs tend to make these the more prominent features, offering predictive tech suites only as an upgrade, the Audi offers its predictive tech right up front.

Stability and traction controls can't hold a candle to the Audi pre sense® system. This suite utilizes small cameras and sensors to monitor and autonomously react to the road for you.

Learn more about Audi's reliability here!

Comparing BMW and Audi Entertainment Systems

It's only natural that you'd expect an advanced suite of entertainment features in your vehicle as well. In this respect, the BMW falls a bit short. In their baseline trim levels, they do feature robust HiFi sound systems and SiriusXM® and HD Radio™ options. However, integrative features aren't readily available.

The baseline trim of your typical Audi comes with an MMI® infotainment system. This system features a fleshed-out speaker system, SD card reader, USB ports, and mobile-integrating features.

Learn more about Audi connect® here!

Differences in Model Versatility

You can't go wrong with a luxury vehicle when you're looking for top-of-the-line features and premium amenities. However, you might not find the right model if you shop with the wrong brand.

In total, BMW offers 16 regular models plus 30 M models to choose from. Although each model is sleek and powerful, the exact body style you're looking for might be missing.

The Audi lineup, though, offers an extensive range of body styles and models to suit your exact taste and personality. In total, you'll find more than 70 different models when shopping with Audi.

The Origins of Audi & BMW

It's common knowledge that Audi is a German brand-namely, a member of the Volkswagen Auto Group. However, they weren't acquired by VW until the 1960s.

Back in 1932, Audi was an off-shoot of the Auto Union, a coalition of four different automotive manufacturers (hence the four rings in the Audi logo). They had the innovative visions of a big-name manufacturer but not quite the means to realize them.

The Volkswagen Group gave Audi the resources to bring their creative engineering to life. With a 1965 brand relaunch and a new slogan, "Advancement through Technology", Audi finally began to take shape.

Similarly, Bavarian Motor Works, or BMW, began in the early 1900s. In those fledgling years, they weren't just producing cars. They were building motorcycles and aircraft engines, too. The technology was there, but the market was missing.

They attempted to rebrand themselves in the 1950s with their Italian tiny cars, which came equipped with motorcycle engines. However, it wasn't until BMW acquired the Hans Glas company in 1966 that they finally had the crew to build the luxury cars we know and love today.

Audi and BMW Reputations

Both Audi and BMW have loyal followings. In fact, according to a 2021 study performed by J.D. Power, BMW had a loyalty rate of 45.6 % while Audi had a loyalty rate of 45.5%. That means, when purchasing or leasing their next vehicles, many drivers opted to stick with either BMW or Audi rather than switching brands.

This is not surprising for such a versatile luxury brand like Audi. No matter what kind of model you're looking for and the features you want it to include, you'll be able to find what you desire.

Awards Won by Audi and BMW

As high-quality brands, both Audi and BMW are regularly recognized by organizations like J.D. Power and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

However, Audi is more often praised for its dedication to safety by the IIHS. For 2022, multiple Audi vehicles earned the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award in several categories, including:

  • Large Luxury Cars
  • Midsize Luxury SUVS
  • Large SUVS

In the Midsize Luxury SUV category, two Audi models earned the 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK Award. This brand has also won awards from IIHS in previous years, demonstrating the brand's consistency and dedication to their standards.

While BMW vehicles have also been recognized by the IIHS, only three models earned the 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK award. 


Audi vs BMW: Which Is Right for You?

Despite all the surface similarities they may have, there are clearly some crucial differences between the Audi and BMW brands. Miami, Miami Beach, and Hollywood, Florida, drivers can learn more by contacting our team at Audi North Miami today. We're more than happy to help you make the right choice for you.


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