These two cars have been taking each other on for decades, now. The BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 are some of the most hotly contested cars in the luxury car segment. Now, both of them are brand new. Well, sort of. The 5 Series has been on sale for a couple of years now but the Audi A6 is brand spakin’ new. In fact, it’s not even on sale in America just yet. However, it is on sale in Europe and Top Gear recently put it up against the 5er.
So which one is better? Well, objectively speaking, the BMW 5 Series. The Audi A6 is a bit of a disappointment. It looks great, and Top Gear feels that it’s far more handsome than the 5 Series, which is something I, personally, agree with. Its interior also looks great and is more interesting than the 5 Series’. It also has better technology and a better all-wheel drive system.
However, the 5 Series just drives better. In every way. It rides more smoothly, handles better, has better steering and is more engaging and enjoyable to drive. Also, the 5 Series’ eight-speed automatic is better than Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch. Oh, and BMW’s iDrive is easier to use than Audi’s new, and admittedly very slick, Touch Response MMI system, which uses dual touchscreens rather than physical controls.
Top Gear doesn’t much like they way the 5er looks, though. In fact, they went as far as to say that it’s “downright ugly”. While I wouldn’t go that far, it is a bit bland and uninspiring. Even in M Sport trim, it isn’t very sporty looking and it’s just all very blah.
It’s a shame that Audi couldn’t get this one right, especially given that it had time to benchmark the new 5 Series. So which one wins Top Gear’s test? According to them, neither. Buy the Volvo S90, TG says.
[Source: Top Gear]
