Compare the2022 BMW 7 SeriesVS 2021 Audi S8

The 7 Series has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The S8 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 7 Series has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 7 Series has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the S8’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 7 Series has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the S8.

The 7 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 7 Series and the S8 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, around view monitors, available all wheel drive and night vision systems.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 7 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S8.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 7 Series’ warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 7 Series has a standard 950-amp battery (660 750i). The S8’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 7 Series second among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The S8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Alpina B7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 37 more horsepower (600 vs. 563) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The M760i’s standard 6.6 turbo V12 produces 38 more horsepower (601 vs. 563) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 590) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the 745e Electric Motor xDrive running on electricity gets better mileage than the S8 (52 city/61 hwy MPGe vs. 13 city/22 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the 7 Series running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the S8:

The 745e can drive on battery power alone for up to 17 miles. The S8 must run its internal combustion engine to move.

The 7 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S8 doesn’t offer launch control.

The 7 Series stops much shorter than the S8:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 7 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 7 Series offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S8 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 7 Series offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the S8.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 7 Series’ wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the S8 (126.4 inches vs. 123.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 7 Series is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S8.

The Alpina B7 handles at .97 G’s, while the S8 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BMW 7 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 1050 pounds less than the Audi S8.

The front grille of the 7 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 7 Series has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the S8.

The 7 Series has a much larger trunk than the S8 (14 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The 7 Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S8 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 7 Series’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 7 Series’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S8’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 7 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The S8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The 7 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S8 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 7 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.