2027 Audi A8 vs. 2027 BMW 7 Series

CarGurus rates the BMW 7 Series 6.7/10, saying it has lots to offer luxury buyers, including a rear-seat theatre and cashmere upholstery, plus performance and fuel efficiency that are often superior to most rivals, though its frustrating digital systems and controls undermine the experience, and the PHEV 750e offers a boost in power and efficiency over the base 740i but costs more and quickly eats its electric charge. TrueCar says the Audi A8's $96,495 MSRP undercuts the BMW 7 Series's $100,850 by $4,355, a gap that stretches to $4,424 based on real-world average prices, while the 7 Series wins on fuel economy at 25 city/31 highway mpg versus the A8's 19 city/27 highway.

Which to choose, and why

The 7 Series is efficient but its tech frustrates

CarGurus (opens in a new tab) rates the BMW 7 Series 6.7/10, saying it has lots to offer luxury buyers, including a rear-seat theatre and cashmere upholstery, plus performance and fuel efficiency that are often superior to most rivals, though its frustrating digital systems and controls undermine the experience, and the PHEV 750e offers a boost in power and efficiency over the base 740i but costs more and quickly eats its electric charge.

$4,355 to $4,424 cheaper, thriftier 7 Series

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Audi A8's $96,495 MSRP undercuts the BMW 7 Series's $100,850 by $4,355, a gap that stretches to $4,424 based on real-world average prices, while the 7 Series wins on fuel economy at 25 city/31 highway mpg versus the A8's 19 city/27 highway.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the A8, by $4,355 at MSRP.

Does the BMW 7 Series have complex controls?

CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says yes, its frustrating digital systems and controls undermine the experience.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Audi A8: 1 records · BMW 7 Series: 2 records.

Decision field	Audi A8	BMW 7 Series
Exact EPA records	1	2
Model / option labels	1	2
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	3L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid	3L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (S8)	Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Premium	Premium
EPA classes	Large Cars	Large Cars
Combined efficiency	22 MPG/MPGe	26 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$3650 per year	$3050 per year

Head to head

Audi A8 vs. BMW 7 Series: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Audi A8	BMW 7 Series
Starting price (KBB base)	$96,395	$101,350
Top trim price (KBB base)	$96,395	$104,350
Horsepower	335 hp	375 hp
Torque	369 lb-ft	398 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.6 sec	4.9-5.2 sec
Curb weight	4,773 lb	4,720-4,855 lb
Length	209.5 in	212.2 in
Wheelbase	123.1 in	126.6 in
Cargo volume	12.5 cu ft	19.1 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 (2027 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Audi A8 starts $4,955 lower: $96,395 against $101,350 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the BMW 7 Series leads: 375 hp against 335 hp.
On peak torque, the BMW 7 Series leads: 398 lb-ft against 369 lb-ft.
The BMW 7 Series is quicker to 60 mph: 4.9 sec against 5.6 sec.
The BMW 7 Series is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,720 lb against 4,773 lb.
On length, the BMW 7 Series leads: 212.2 in against 209.5 in.
On wheelbase, the BMW 7 Series leads: 126.6 in against 123.1 in.
On cargo volume, the BMW 7 Series leads: 19.1 cu ft against 12.5 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 A8 and the BMW 7 Series.

2027 Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, and currently in its fourth generation, the A8 has been offered with either front- or permanent all-wheel drive and in short- and long-wheelbase variants. The first two generations employed the Volkswagen Group D platform, with the current generation deriving from the MLB platform.

Source: Audi A8 (Wikipedia)

Engines. Previewed as the Audi Avantissimo concept at the 2001 IAA exhibition in Frankfurt, the second-generation Audi A8 (Typ 4E), built on the Volkswagen Group D3 platform, was unveiled via press release in July 2002 and introduced in November 2002 in Europe and in June 2003 (as a 2004 model) in the United States.

Marketing. As part of the 2013 S8 4.0 TFSI quattro launch in the US, a TV commercial called 'Suspect' was produced in association with Venables Bell & Partners, USA, Furlined, The Whitehouse, 740 Sound Design & Mix, Lime Studios; starring Abigail Spencer.

Recent recalls (1 campaign across the latest model years)

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.

2027 BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker BMW since 1977. It is the successor to the BMW E3 "New Six" sedan and is now in its seventh generation. The 7 Series is BMW's flagship car and is only available in a sedan bodystyle (including long wheelbase and limousine models).

Source: BMW 7 Series (Wikipedia)

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2027Audi A81 configurations →02 · 2027BMW 7 Series2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Audi A8 or the 2027 BMW 7 Series?

Efficiency

The 2027 BMW 7 Series lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (26 vs. the 2027 Audi A8's 22 MPG/MPGe).