Compare the2023 Audi RS 5VS 2023 BMW 8 Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 5 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 its rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RS 5. But it costs extra on the 8 Series.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the RS 5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The 8 Series doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The RS 5 offers an optional 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 RS 5 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.

The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 109 more horsepower (444 vs. 335) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 368) than the 840i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RS 5 gets better fuel mileage than the M850i Coupe (18 city/26 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi RS 5 higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series (3). This means the RS 5 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the RS 5’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 8 Series:

The RS 5 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 8 Series doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the RS 5 has larger standard tires than the 8 Series (265/35R19 vs. 245/35R20). The RS 5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 8 Series (275/30R20 vs. 245/35R20).

The RS 5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 8 Series’ standard 40 series front tires. The RS 5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the 8 Series’ optional 35 series front tires.

The RS 5 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.

The RS 5 is 5.2 inches shorter than the 8 Series, making the RS 5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RS 5 has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 8 Series (84 vs. 81).

The RS 5 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 5 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 RS 5 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 RS 5 has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RS 5 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 8 Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS 5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 8 Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RS 5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RS 5 will retain 48.37% of its original price after five years, while the 8 Series only retains 42.36% to 43.82%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi RS 5 will be $4515 to $19784 less than for the BMW 8 Series.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the BMW 8 Series by over two to one during the 2022 model year.