Compare the2022 BMW M5VS 2021 Audi S7

The M5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The S7 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M5 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the S7’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M5 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 S7.

The M5’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 S7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M5 and the S7 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 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 S7.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the M5’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.

The M5’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 156 more horsepower (600 vs. 444) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 443) than the S7’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 173 more horsepower (617 vs. 444) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 443) than the S7’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The M5 CS’ standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 183 more horsepower (627 vs. 444) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 443) than the S7’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 (base engine) is faster than the Audi S7:

For better stopping power the M5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S7:

The M5 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S7 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M5 stops shorter than the S7:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the S7 (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. 255/35R21).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the S7 (117.4 inches vs. 115.3 inches).

The BMW M5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Audi S7.

The M5 has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S7 (103 vs. 94).

The M5 has 3.7 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room and 1.4 inches more rear headroom than the S7.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M5 offers cargo security. The S7’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 M5 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 S7 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The M5’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 S7’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the M5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The M5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S7 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.