Compare the2024 BMW 7 SeriesVS 2023 Audi e-tron GT

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 7 Series are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The 7 Series has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 7 Series xDrive’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 7 Series’ 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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 7 Series and the e-tron GT 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 7 Series 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 e-tron GT.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 7 Series’ warranty.

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.

As tested in Car and Driver the 760i 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Audi e-tron GT (base engine):

For more complete vehicle control the 7 Series has Steptronic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. Steptronic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 7 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 2-speed automatic is available for the e-tron GT.

For better stopping power the 7 Series’ standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the e-tron GT:

The 7 Series stops shorter than the e-tron GT:

For better traction, the 7 Series has larger front tires than the e-tron GT (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The 7 Series 760i offers 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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 760i offers an available adjustable 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 e-tron GT.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 7 Series’ wheelbase is 12.4 inches longer than on the e-tron GT (126.6 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The BMW 7 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Audi e-tron GT.

The front grille of the 7 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 7 Series has .5 inches more front headroom, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 11.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron GT.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 7 Series’ available rear seats recline. The e-tron GT’s rear seats don’t recline.

The 7 Series has a much larger trunk than the e-tron GT (13.7 vs. 9.2 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the 7 Series offers cargo security. The e-tron GT’s non-lockable folding seat defeats 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 7 Series’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron GT’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the 7 Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the 7 Series’ passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The 7 Series 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 e-tron GT.

Both the 7 Series and the e-tron GT offer optional massaging front seats. The 7 Series also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the e-tron GT.

The 7 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 7 Series first among upper midsize premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The e-tron GT isn’t in the top three.