Compare the2026 BMW i4VS 2025 Audi S6 e-tron

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The i4 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The S6 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the i4 and the S6 e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S6 e-tron.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the i4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 73 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The i4 M60’s standard electric motors produces 50 more horsepower (593 vs. 543) than the S6 e-tron’s electric motors.

For better traction, the i4 M60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S6 e-tron (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. F:245/40R21 & R:275/35R21).

The i4 M60’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S6 e-tron’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The BMW i4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 700 pounds less than the Audi S6 e-tron.

The i4 is 5.5 inches shorter than the S6 e-tron, making the i4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The i4 has a larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the S6 e-tron with its rear seat folded (45.6 vs. 39.3 cubic feet).

The i4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S6 e-tron doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The S6 e-tron has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Audi S6 e-tron by almost four to one during 2025.