Compare the2023 Audi R8VS 2022 Ford Shelby GT500

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 Shelby GT500 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the R8 and the Shelby GT500 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, 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 Shelby GT500’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The R8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Shelby GT500’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 12 places higher in reliability than Ford.

On the EPA test cycle the R8 gets better mileage than the Shelby GT500:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the R8’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The R8 Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Shelby GT500 (19.3 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The R8 Spyder’s standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Shelby GT500 (21.1 vs. 16 gallons).

The R8 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Shelby GT500. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Ford Shelby GT500 is not available with all wheel drive.

The R8 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the R8 is 1 inch wider in the front than the average track on the Shelby GT500.

For better maneuverability, the R8’s turning circle is 7.1 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500’s (36.7 feet vs. 43.8 feet). The R8’s turning circle is 7.4 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500 Track Package’s (36.7 feet vs. 44.1 feet).

The Audi R8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 600 pounds less than the Ford Shelby GT500.

The R8 is 1 foot, 3.1 inches shorter than the Shelby GT500, making the R8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 27% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

If the windows are left open on the R8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Shelby GT500 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The R8’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Shelby GT500’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The R8’s standard LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Shelby GT500’s xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long. Laser headlights, standard on the R8 Quattro, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses less power than the Shelby GT500’s xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights and can project light s up to six times as far. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; Laser headlights light instantly. Laser lights also last about 10 to 25 times as long.

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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the R8 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The R8’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Shelby GT500.

When the R8 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Shelby GT500’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Shelby GT500 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Audi R8 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Ford Shelby GT500 isn’t available as a convertible.