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Audi A1 vs BMW 5 Series Saloon comparison

Compare performance (207 HP vs 727 HP), boot space and price (20,000 £ vs 51,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A1 or BMW 5 Series Saloon?

Audi A1 vs BMW 5 Series Saloon: Key differences

Audi A1

2.4 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • substantially lighter
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BMW 5 Series Saloon

  • considerably more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

A1

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Audi A1 is clearly cheaper – starting at 20,000 £ , while the BMW 5 Series Saloon costs 51,400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 31,457 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 5 Series Saloon uses 2.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Audi A1 with 5.2 L/100km. The difference is about 3.1 L/100km.

5 Series Saloon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 5 Series Saloon offers considerably more power – delivering 727 HP compared to 207 HP. That’s roughly 520 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 5 Series Saloon is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Audi A1 takes 6.5 s. That’s about 3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 5 Series Saloon delivers significantly more torque with 1,000 Nm compared to 320 Nm. That’s about 680 Nm more.

A1

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A1 is substantially lighter – 1,175 kg compared to 1,800 kg. The difference is around 625 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 5 Series Saloon offers clearly more boot space – 520 L compared to 335 L. That’s a difference of about 185 L.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 5 Series Saloon carries noticeably more – 600 kg compared to 470 kg. That’s a difference of about 130 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 5 Series Saloon stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £51,400
5 Series Saloon

BMW 5 Series Saloon

  • Engine Type Diesel MHEV, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 197 - 727 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.1 - 5.8 L/100km
  • Electric Range 67 - 105 km
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Audi A1

The Audi A1 is a compact premium hatch that wraps Audi's polished design and surprisingly grown-up cabin into a city-friendly package. It’s poised and fun to drive, a smart pick for buyers who want luxury flair without the fuss of a bigger car — and it makes tight parking feel almost enjoyable.

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Reviews Audi A1

2.4 (1 Reviews)
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No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The BMW 5 Series Saloon blends executive poise with a driver's instinct, delivering a supple, refined cabin and a chassis that prefers composed authority over bravado. For buyers who want a grown-up commuter that still enjoys a twisty road, it’s the kind of car that keeps your colleagues impressed and your weekend grin intact.

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Reviews BMW 5 Series Saloon

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BMW 5 Series Saloon

Costs and Consumption
Price
20,000 - 28,800 £
Price
51,400 - 124,500 £
Consumption L/100km
5.2 - 6.4 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.1 - 5.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
67 - 105 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
118 - 146 g/km
co2
48 - 152 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,175 - 1,365 kg
Curb weight
1,800 - 2,515 kg
Trunk capacity
335 L
Trunk capacity
466 - 520 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,740 - 1,756 mm
Width
1,900 - 1,970 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 470 kg
Payload
425 - 600 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
95 - 207 HP
Power HP
197 - 727 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 11.5 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 7.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
175 - 320 Nm
Torque
330 - 1,000 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
70 - 152 kW
Power kW
145 - 535 kW
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 - 4,395 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,023 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, B, C
Brand
Audi
Brand
BMW
What drivetrain options does the Audi A1 have?

The Audi A1 is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.