Compare the2023 Audi R8VS 2023 Aston Martin DBS

The Audi R8 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The DBS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The R8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The DBS doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The R8 Quattro/GT offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The DBS doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The R8 has standard Audi Connect CARE, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The DBS doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the R8 and the DBS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The R8 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The DBS’ 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The R8’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the DBS’ (12 vs. 10 years).

There are almost 9 times as many Audi dealers as there are Aston Martin dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the R8’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the R8 RWD gets better fuel mileage than the DBS (14 city/23 hwy vs. 14 city/22 hwy).

The R8 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The DBS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The R8 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 DBS doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

All wheel drive, available in the R8, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Aston Martin DBS is not available with all wheel drive.

The R8’s 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 DBS doesn’t offer launch control.

The R8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the DBS’ standard 35 series front tires.

For better maneuverability, the R8’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the DBS’ (36.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Audi R8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Aston Martin DBS.

The R8 is 11.1 inches shorter than the DBS, making the R8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi R8 amounts to more than styling. The R8 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .36 Cd (optional .35 Cd with Quattro). That is lower than the DBS (.38). A more efficient exterior helps the R8 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the R8 get better fuel mileage.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the R8. The DBS doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The R8 has a standard under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The DBS doesn’t offer an under hood light.

Laser headlights, standard on the R8 Quattro, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the DBS’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the R8 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The DBS doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The R8’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The DBS has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi R8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The DBS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Audi R8 outsold the Aston Martin DBS by over two to one during 2022.