Compare the2022 Audi A5VS 2022 BMW 8 Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi A5 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 8 Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A5. But it costs extra on the 8 Series.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the A5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The 8 Series doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top and Corner View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 8 Series only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the A5 and the 8 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the A5 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 217 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 8 Series has not been tested, yet.

The Audi A5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the 8 Series’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A5’s reliability 11 points higher than the 8 Series.

On the EPA test cycle the A5 Coupe gets better mileage than the 8 Series Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the A5 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the 8 Series Convertible:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi A5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 8 Series requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The A5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The 8 Series doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better traction, the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 8 Series (255/35R19 vs. 245/35R20).

The A5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 8 Series; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the 8 Series don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the A5’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the 8 Series’ (37.7 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The A5’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 8 Series xDrive’s (37.7 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Audi A5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 750 pounds less than the BMW 8 Series.

The A5 is 6.2 inches shorter than the 8 Series, making the A5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The A5 is 6.3 inches shorter than the M850i.

The design of the Audi A5 amounts to more than styling. The A5 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the 8 Series (.31 to .33). A more efficient exterior helps the A5 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the A5 get better fuel mileage.

The A5 Coupe has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 8 Series (84 vs. 81).

The A5 Coupe has 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Coupe.

The A5 Convertible has 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Convertible.

The A5’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 8 Series’ standard power windows.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 8 Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 8 Series doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A5 Coupe has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the A5 and the 8 Series have standard heated front seats. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the 8 Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 8 Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The A5 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 8 Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.