Audi A6 vs. BMW 5 Series: Which is More Reliable?

1Audi A6

Audi A6 (Ratability Ratings)

The Audi A6 is an excellent choice for those looking for a luxury midsize car, going by its several stellar features. However, the car didn’t perform well in several surveys it has been featured.

Audi A6 Rating by Consumer Reports

Consumer Report is a site dedicated to assessing and rating cars based on the data collected from their members. This site surveyed the Audi A6 in 17 different categories and sought the problems owners often faced with the vehicle within 12 months.

The survey was, however, conducted only on model years 2012 through 2019, and the A6 wasn’t rated well. The average rating for all model years was three points out of five, while the 2018 and 2019 model years earned the worse rating – one point out of five.

This awful rating was a result of the car's low performance in key reliability metrics. While engine problems characterized the 2012 and 2013 model years, 2014, 2015, and 2016 had fuel system issues, and the 2014 and 2016 were reported with brake issues.

Also, while the 2013 and 2019 had problems with power equipment, the 2018 model is known for issues with in-car electronics. However, the car performs impressively with its entire models in two major categories: electric system and transmission.

Consumer report has not yet rated the 2020 Audi A6 at the time of compiling this work but predicted a one-star rating for the latest model. This was said to be based on the reliability ratings of previous models.

What year is the most reliable Audi A6?

The 2010 Audi A6 is the most reliable model ever produced. This is a luxury car with 265 horsepower generated from a 3.2-liter V6 engine. The 2010 model is priced below $20,000.

2BMW 5 Series

BMW 5 Series (Reliability Ratings)

WBM 5 series is another luxury car to consider for those on the hunt for something reliable. While the car’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is a bit lower than the Audi A6 is, the 5 Series is a feature-packed midsize car with impressive performance. The most popular version of the BMW 5 series is the 520d that emits 127g/km of CO2. Most owners prefer this to the popular Audi A6 40 TDI.

However, the car might not be one of the best in fuel economy, as it only runs on diesel when the battery pack is depleted.

BMW 5 Series’ Ratings by What Car

While the survey somewhat favored BMW as a brand, as it was spotted on the #9 position of the site’s “best luxury car brands”, the BMW 5 series also came ahead of most rivalry luxury cars, such as the Volvo S90, E-Class, and XF.

One crucial category you won’t skip to pay attention to is safety, and this is a vehicle to trust when it comes to this vital aspect. The BMW 5 series equips all its models with a minimum of six airbags, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.

As if these are not enough for safety, this car also features optional safety kits, such as departure warning, a driver fatigue detector, automatic high-beam assist for headlights, and speed limit recognition.

What year is the most reliable BMW 5 series?

According to long-term owners, the BMW E90 is the most reliable generation. This generation comprises models from 1995 to 2004. The first came in sedan body style in 1995 before the wagon body style was introduced in 1996.