2026 Audi A6 vs. 2026 BMW 8 Series

TrueCar says buyers currently pay $62,960 on average for the Audi A6 against $91,487 for the BMW 8 Series, a $30,555 real-world gap, and TrueCar users rate the A6 4.1 out of 5 against 4.3 for the 8 Series. The gap is also a power gap: MotorTrend says the redesigned A6 is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 making 362 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the 8 Series' M850i makes 523 hp and 553 lb-ft from its 4.4-liter V8. Choose the A6 for the lower price and its own strong TrueCar rating; choose the 8 Series for the extra power if the budget stretches to it.

Which to choose, and why

Price and owner ratings

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says its market data shows buyers currently pay $62,960 on average for the Audi A6 and $91,487 for the BMW 8 Series, narrowing the real-world gap to $30,555, and that TrueCar users rate the Audi A6 4.13 out of 5 (894 ratings) against 4.33 for the BMW 8 Series (23 ratings).

Engine output

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Audi A6 is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 producing 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. AutoPadre (opens in a new tab) says the BMW M850i, the 8 Series' V8 variant, is powered by a 4.4-liter engine producing 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Audi A6 or the BMW 8 Series?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the A6, with buyers paying $62,960 on average against $91,487 for the 8 Series, a $30,555 gap.

How much more power does the BMW 8 Series have than the Audi A6?

The 8 Series' M850i makes 523 hp per AutoPadre (opens in a new tab), against 362 hp for the A6's V6 per MotorTrend (opens in a new tab), a 161-hp gap.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Audi A6: 2 records · BMW 8 Series: 9 records.

Decision field	Audi A6	BMW 8 Series
Exact EPA records	2	9
Model / option labels	2	9
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	3L 6-cyl SIDI, 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid	3L 6-cyl SIDI, 4.4L 8-cyl SIDI
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S7)	Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Premium	Premium
EPA classes	Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons	Midsize Cars, Subcompact Cars
Combined efficiency	23–24 MPG/MPGe	19–24 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$3300–3450 per year	$3300–4200 per year

Head to head

Audi A6 vs. BMW 8 Series: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Audi A6	BMW 8 Series
Starting price (KBB base)	$65,395	$96,050
Top trim price (KBB base)	$74,095	$121,850
Horsepower	362 hp	335-523 hp
Torque	406 lb-ft	369-553 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	4.5 sec	3.7-4.9 sec
Curb weight	4,310 lb	4,180-4,696 lb
Length	196.8 in	200.3 in
Wheelbase	115.1 in	119 in
Cargo volume	13.5 cu ft	15.5 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Audi A6 starts $30,655 lower: $65,395 against $96,050 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the BMW 8 Series leads: 523 hp against 362 hp.
On peak torque, the BMW 8 Series leads: 553 lb-ft against 406 lb-ft.
The BMW 8 Series is quicker to 60 mph: 3.7 sec against 4.5 sec.
The BMW 8 Series is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,180 lb against 4,310 lb.
On length, the BMW 8 Series leads: 200.3 in against 196.8 in.
On wheelbase, the BMW 8 Series leads: 119 in against 115.1 in.
On cargo volume, the BMW 8 Series leads: 15.5 cu ft against 13.5 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Audi A6 and the BMW 8 Series.

2026 Audi A6

The Audi A6 is an executive car manufactured by the German company Audi since 1994. Now in its sixth generation, the successor to the Audi 100 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany, and is available in saloon and estate configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.

Safety: Marketing As part of the Audi A6 Avant launch in the UK, BBH London, Knucklehead, The Whitehouse, The Mill produced the 'Hummingbird' TV commercial, directed by Daniel Barber. The commercial premiered during the ITV1's coverage of the Rugby World Cup. The commercial was to imagine what a bird designed by Audi would look like and to reflect the car's ultra-lightweight technology.
Awards: Audi A6 allroad quattro won Auto Bild Allrad's All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year under the Crossover category.

Source: Audi A6 (Wikipedia)

Engines. In 2005, the A6 won the World Car of the Year award, and has also won the Practical Caravan "Towcar of the Year" awards, due to its array of towing features such as adjustable suspension height and damping, and the presence of a 123 Trailer Stability Programme.

Body styles. In some specific European markets (like France), facelift models (2016 and onwards) received a never before offered 1.8 TFSI (190 PS) petrol engine. Models paired with the 7-speed automatic S tronic gearbox have an "ultra" tag added at the end of their name. A6L with 2.0 TFSI (180 PS) was sold as A6L TFSI in China.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

December 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child… Consequence: An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
December 2025, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

2026 BMW 8 Series

The BMW 8 Series is a range of grand tourer coupes and convertibles produced by BMW. The 8 Series was introduced in 1990 under the E31 model code and was only available as a two-door coupé. It is powered by a range of naturally aspirated V8 and V12 petrol engines.

Source: BMW 8 Series (Wikipedia)

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Audi A62 configurations →02 · 2026BMW 8 Series9 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Audi A6 or the 2026 BMW 8 Series?

Efficiency

The 2026 Audi A6 lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (23.5 vs. the 2026 BMW 8 Series's 21.5 MPG/MPGe).