2021 Audi A8 vs 2021 BMW 7-Series vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

2021 Audi A8

#7 in Luxury Large Cars

2021 BMW 7-Series

2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

#1 in Coupes

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55 TFSI quattro

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
A8 L 55 TFSI quattro	17	26	N/A	$86,500
A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
A8 L 60 TFSI quattro	15	23	N/A	$98,900
S8 4.0 TFSI	13	22	N/A	$130,900

Select style

740i Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
7 Series 740i Sedan	22	29	$81,225	$86,800
7 Series 740i xDrive Sedan	20	28	$84,015	$89,800
7 Series 745e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid	N/A	N/A	$89,685	$95,900
7 Series 750i xDrive Sedan	17	24	$96,290	$103,000
7 Series ALPINA B7 xDrive Sedan	17	24	$133,675	$143,200
7 Series M760i xDrive Sedan	13	20	$147,255	$157,800

Select style

AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
S-Class AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Convertible	15	24	$172,490	$183,500
S-Class AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Coupe	17	27	$161,116	$171,400
S-Class AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Sedan	17	26	$142,504	$151,600
S-Class AMG S 65 Sedan	13	22	$221,464	$235,600
S-Class Maybach S 560 4MATIC Sedan	16	25	$162,620	$173,000
S-Class Maybach S 650 Sedan	13	21	$190,397	$202,550
S-Class S 450 4MATIC Sedan	18	28	$91,415	$97,250
S-Class S 450 Sedan	19	28	$88,595	$94,250
S-Class S 560 4MATIC Coupe	17	26	$122,341	$130,150
S-Class S 560 4MATIC Sedan	17	27	$101,003	$107,450
S-Class S 560 Convertible	17	26	$130,284	$138,600
S-Class S 560 Sedan	17	27	$98,183	$104,450
S-Class S 560e Sedan	N/A	N/A	$103,165	$109,750

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

N/A

$81,225

$172,490

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$86,500

$86,800

$183,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1442 / month

$1447 / month

$3058 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

A worthy flagship, the 2021 Audi A8 is thoroughly modern and eminently comfortable.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the benchmark for large luxury sedans.

TCC Likes

Smooth ride
Modern and luxurious interior
Thoroughly refined

Smooth, powerful engines
First-class cabin
Attention to detail

TCC Dislikes

Screens galore can confuse
Priced for the elite
Styling may be too conservative

Ready to be upgraded
Maybach doesn’t feel as special
Absurdly expensive at the top

Fuel Economy

City

17 mpg

22 mpg

15 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

29 mpg

24 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Large Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.6

57.7

49.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.3

39.9

37.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

59.1

59.2

Second Leg Room (in)

44.3

44.4

Front Leg Room (in)

41.5

41.4

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

38.5

38.9

37.6

Second Hip Room (in)

53.1

Front Hip Room (in)

60.6

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

64.7

63.4

64.7

Length, Overall (in)

208.7

207.4

198.9

Height, Overall (in)

58.5

58.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

64.3

64.6

64.7

Wheelbase (in)

123.1

126.4

115.9

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

76.6

74.9

75.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.5

18.2

Brakes

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.8

14.7

15.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.8

14.5

14.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

21.7

20.6

24.3

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

42.2

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

STDTR

Front Tire Size

P255/45HR19

P245/50VR18

P255/40YR20

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

STDTR

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/45HR19

P245/50VR18

P285/35YR20

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4773

4244

4817

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Aluminum

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 9

18 X 8

20 X 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 9

18 X 8

20 X 9.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Engine

Displacement

3.0 L/183

4.0 L/243

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

335 @ 5000

335 @ 5500

603 @ 5500

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric V-6

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

369 @ 1370

330 @ 1500

664 @ 2750

Engine Order Code

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

21 (2020)

24 (Est)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

26 (2020)

29 (Est)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

17 (2020)

22 (Est)

Transmission

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.28

1.32

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.32

3.71

4.93

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

3.36

3.33

Trans Order Code

2TB

421

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

0.64

0.72

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.67

1.72

1.66

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

5.25

5.50

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.82

0.86

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.08

2.47

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.11

2.17

2.31

Summary

Body Style

quattro LWB Sedan

Sedan

4MATIC+ Cabriolet

Vehicle Name

Audi A8 L

BMW 7 Series

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

8.5 (2020)

7.5 (Est)

10.0

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

150

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

520

2021 Audi A8

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2021 BMW 7-Series

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2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

2020 S-Class is in stock
Get up to $5,000 off (Sedan)
Lease: From $959/month
Financing: 2.99% APR + Cash

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Compare 2021 Audi A8 vs 2021 BMW 7-Series vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

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