Audi A8 vs BMW 7 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi A8
Price TBC
Sedan
Diesel
V6 diesel engine with common rail injection system, turbocharging and 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (MHEV)
210kW
6.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
BMW 7 Series
From $279,900
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
280kW
7.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
540L
Audi A8: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 5 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A8 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW 7 Series gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A8 stands out with Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System audio — features our data doesn't list for the BMW 7 Series. The BMW 7 Series counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A8 gets valcona leather upholstery with perforated leather on front and outer rear seats upholstery while the BMW 7 Series offers vernasca leather.
Drivetrain
The Audi A8 uses a V6 diesel engine with common rail injection system, turbocharging and 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (MHEV) producing 210kW and 600Nm of torque, sent through a 8 speed tiptronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The BMW 7 Series responds with a Petrol making 280kW and 540Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
The BMW 7 Series has the clear power advantage at 280kW vs 210kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 7 Series is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.5m diameter
Large
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,881/year for the Audi A8 and $2,252/year for the BMW 7 Series. That is a $371 annual difference in favour of the Audi A8.
Warranty: 5 years (Audi A8) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 7 Series). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A8 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 7 Series if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 7 Series takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Audi A8 will save you roughly $371 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series?
The BMW 7 Series is the cheapest at $279,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A8 uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 7 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 7 Series makes the most power at 280kW. The BMW 7 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 5.4s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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