Compare the2022 BMW 330eVS 2021 Audi A7

The 330e has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 330e offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 330e’s 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 A7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 330e and the A7 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 330e its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 103 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A7 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 330e 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 A7.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 330e’s warranty.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the 330e running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the A7 running its gasoline engine:

The 330e RWD’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 23 miles, 21% further than the A7 55 TFSI e’s 19-mile range. The 330e xDrive’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 20 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 330e higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi A7 (5 to 7). This means the 330e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A7 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 330e, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A7.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 330e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A7 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The BMW 330e may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 650 pounds less than the Audi A7.

The 330e is 9.9 inches shorter than the A7, making the 330e easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 330e amounts to more than styling. The 330e has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the A7 (.28 to .29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 330e get better fuel mileage.

The 330e has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear headroom than the A7.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 330e’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A7 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 330e offers cargo security. The A7’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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 330e’s 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 A7’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The 330e’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the A7’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 330e has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A7 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 330e also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 330e is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.