2026 head-to-head · Compact Car

2026 Audi RS e-tron vs BMW i4

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,085/ year to fuel
84 MPGe

AWD · Electric motors (667 kW) · Single-speed · 84 MPGe · 278 mi

✓ Cheaper to run
2026 BMW i4Electric
$769/ year to fuel
118 MPGe

The 2026 BMW i4 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $769 a year to fuel (118 MPGe), versus $1,085 for the 2026 Audi RS e-tron (84 MPGe). That's roughly $316 a year, or about $1,580 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Audi RS e-tron
  • BMW i4

Side by side

Audi RS e-tronBMW i4
$1,085 Your annual fuel cost $769
84 MPGe Combined efficiency 118 MPGe
85 MPGe City 121 MPGe
82 MPGe Highway 115 MPGe
40.2 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 28.5 kWh
278 mi Driving range 333 mi
91 cu ft Passenger volume 90 cu ft
11 cu ft Cargo volume 10 cu ft
0 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 0 g/mi
9/10 EPA fuel economy score 9/10
10/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 10/10
15.5 hrs Charge time at 240V 9 hrs
Electric Powertrain Electric
Electricity Fuel Electricity
Electric motors (667 kW) Engine / motor Electric motor (250 kW)
Single-speed Transmission Single-speed
AWD Drivetrain RWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Audi RS e-tron vs BMW i4 across model years

  • Audi RS e-tron
  • BMW i4

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

The BMW i4 goes farther between stops: about 333 miles on a charge, compared with 278 miles for the Audi RS e-tron.

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Audi RS e-tron has more cargo space (11 vs. 10 cu ft).

Among 21 2026 compact cars, the Audi RS e-tron ranks 8th and the BMW i4 2nd for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Audi RS e-tron or the 2026 BMW i4?

Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i4. The Audi RS e-tron is rated 84 MPGe combined and the BMW i4 118 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Audi RS e-tron vs. the BMW i4 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,085 for the Audi RS e-tron and $769 for the BMW i4.

Which has more range?

The BMW i4: about 333 miles versus 278 miles.

Which has more cargo space?

The Audi RS e-tron, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

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