Compare the2024 Audi RS 5 SportbackVS 2024 BMW M8

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 5 Sportback 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 M8 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 5 Sportback are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M8 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RS 5 Sportback and M8 Gran Coupe have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS 5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The M8’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the RS 5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The M8 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the RS 5 Sportback and M8 offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the RS 5 Sportback with Rear Cross-Traffic Assist also has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The M8’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the RS 5 Sportback and the M8 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, all wheel drive, 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 around view monitors.

On the EPA test cycle the RS 5 Sportback gets better fuel mileage than the M8 Competition (18 city/25 hwy vs. 15 city/22 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi RS 5 Sportback higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW M8 (3). This means the RS 5 Sportback produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the M8 every 15,000 miles.

The RS 5 Sportback’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M8’s 35 series tires.

The RS 5 Sportback 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 M8; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the RS 5 Sportback’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the M8 Competition Coupe’s (38.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The RS 5 Sportback’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the M8 Gran Coupe’s (38.7 feet vs. 42.4 feet).

The Audi RS 5 Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the BMW M8.

The RS 5 Sportback is 3.5 inches shorter than the M8 Gran Coupe, making the RS 5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi RS 5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The RS 5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the M8 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RS 5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The RS 5 Sportback has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the M8 Gran Coupe (21.8 vs. 15.5 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The M8 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 Sportback has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The M8 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 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The M8 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RS 5 Sportback has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the M8.

Insurance will cost less for the RS 5 Sportback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RS 5 Sportback will cost $4435 to $4845 less than the M8 over a five-year period.

The RS 5 Sportback will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RS 5 Sportback will retain 55.03% of its original price after five years, while the M8 only retains 42.81% to 46.57%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi RS 5 Sportback will be $58278 to $60747 less than for the BMW M8.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the BMW 8 Series by over four to one during 2023.