Compare the2024 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Audi A7

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 A7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the A7 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A7.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series Gran Coupe first among large premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The A7 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The M850i Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 188 more horsepower (523 vs. 335) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 277 more horsepower (612 vs. 335) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the Audi A7:

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A7.

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

The 8 Series Gran Coupe stops shorter than the A7:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard rear tires than the A7 (275/35R19 vs. 255/40R20). The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the A7 (285/30R21 vs. 255/40R20).

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A7’s standard 40 series tires. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A7 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The A7 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the A7.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the A7 (119 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series Gran Coupe is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A7.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the A7 55 TFSI Prestige pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A7 (100 vs. 95).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 2.1 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front legroom than the A7.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A7 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 8 Series offers cargo security. The A7’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 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 A7 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A7 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 8 Series Gran Coupe also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the 8 Series Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the A7.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 8 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the A7.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Audi A7 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by over three to one during 2022.