A8 vs 7 Series
Shopping across brands means comparing different philosophies. The A8 and the 7 Series show how Audi and BMW each approach the midsize luxury car class. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 2 of 4 areas go to the 7 Series, and the gap is widest in fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance 7 Series wins
- Fuel Economy & Range 7 Series wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance3.1
- Fuel Economy & Range1.3
- Engine & Performance4.0
- Fuel Economy & Range4.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The 7 Series has better fuel economy
Put simply, the 7 Series is far ahead here: 28 mpg compared with 22 mpg. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
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The 7 Series has 40 hp more power
The 7 Series has a modest edge on total system output: 375 hp against 335 hp for the A8. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The 7 Series has better city fuel economy
The 7 Series’s 25 mpg leaves the A8’s 20 mpg well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The 7 Series has better highway fuel economy
Not a close call. The 7 Series lists 31 mpg and the A8 lists 26 mpg. That’s a substantial gap. The 7 Series uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
7 Series leads
A modest lead on engine & performance belongs to the 7 Series. The 7 Series brings 40 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the 7 Series.
Total system output
A8: 335 hp 7 Series: 375 hp The 7 Series’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
7 Series leads
The 7 Series dominates the fuel economy & range section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The 7 Series adds better fuel economy. The 7 Series uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the 7 Series comes out ahead.
Fuel economy (combined)
A8: 22 mpg 7 Series: 28 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
A8: 20 mpg 7 Series: 25 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the 7 Series has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the space & practicality section. The space & practicality verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The off-road & towing specs are close enough that neither gets the point. The takeaway: off-road & towing is not where these two differ.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the A8 and the 7 Series part ways.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A8 | 7 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (48V mild hybrid) | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 3.0L turbo V6 | 3.0L turbo I6 |
| Total system output | 335 hp | 375 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft | 383 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | RWD (xDrive AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A8 | 7 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | 28 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | 25 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 26 mpg | 31 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A8 | 7 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A8 | 7 Series |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A8 | 7 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 7 Series if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (28 mpg vs 22 mpg combined)
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (375 hp vs 335 hp)
- you mostly drive in town (25 mpg vs 20 mpg in the city)
- you want better highway fuel economy (31 mpg vs 26 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A8 or the 7 Series?
On the specs compared here, the 7 Series makes more sense for most buyers; the A8 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
Let’s set the logos aside for a minute. The A8 and the 7 Series are close competitors, and their spec sheets tell an interesting story. Start with the headline difference (the 7 Series has better fuel economy), and a lot of the decision falls into place. Another thing in the 7 Series’s favor is 40 hp more power.
The A8 is for you if the things a spec sheet can’t capture tops your list; the 7 Series is for you if engine & performance does.
My pick: the 7 Series.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.