2026 Audi S8 vs 2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

$130,000 · Sedan

$90,800 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2026 Audi S8 unleashes Germanic muscle with its staggering 563 horsepower and massive 590 lb-ft of torque, promising blistering acceleration from its AWD platform, albeit at the cost of a high $130,000 MSRP and a meager 18 combined MPG. Conversely, the 2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe captivates with elegant design and efficiency, offering a potent 335 horsepower from its rear-wheel-drive architecture while boasting significantly better fuel economy. The nearly $40,000 price differential highlights this contest: the S8 delivers overwhelming power and standard all-wheel-drive capability, while the Bimmer provides a lighter, slightly more practical footprint with 15.5 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Audi's 12.5 cu ft. This clash pits raw performance supremacy against accessible, sleek German luxury.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is the better commuter due to its lower running costs and superior fuel efficiency compared to the S8's premium-only requirement.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW offers more practical space with 15.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Audi's 12.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Audi S8

The 2026 Audi S8 dominates in pure performance metrics, offering 563 horsepower versus the BMW's 335 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe offers significantly more accessible performance for a base MSRP that is $39,200 lower than the Audi S8.

Choose the Audi S8 if...

You demand ultimate straight-line acceleration supported by 590 lb-ft of torque.
Standard all-wheel drive is a non-negotiable requirement for your driving conditions.
You prioritize having 563 horsepower, regardless of the $130,000 price tag.

Choose the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe if...

Your budget is closer to $90,800, offering a significant $39,200 saving over the S8.
You need an extra 3.0 cubic feet of trunk space (15.5 cu ft vs 12.5 cu ft).
You prefer RWD dynamics and don't want the S8’s heavier, larger 209.5-inch length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi S8	BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
Length	209.5"	200.3"
Width	76.6"	76.1"
Height	58.5"	55.4"
Wheelbase	123.2"	119.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	BMW
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering Lights	✓	—
Headlight Washers	✓	—
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Integrated Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	inline 6
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	563 hp	335 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	590 lb-ft	369 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	32	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	BMW
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
Rear Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/24 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	18 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	325.5/520.8 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	21.7 gal.	18.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cooled Storage Compartment	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Bang & Olufsen	—
Stereo Power	730W	464W
Speaker System	17	16
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	12 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Harman/Kardon
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Front Head Room	38.3 in.	39.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.5 in.	42.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	18-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	18-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Seat Massage Function	✓	—
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	2

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	37.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	44.3 in.	36.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	54.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	21 in	19 x 9.0 in
Tire Type	Performance	—
Tire Size	265/35R21	275/35R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Audi	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	BMW
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 30000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Audi S8 and 2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

How much faster is the 2026 Audi S8 than the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe?

The Audi S8 is significantly faster, boasting 563 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, creating a massive 228 horsepower deficit for the BMW's 335 hp output. This difference suggests the S8 will win nearly any performance metric involving outright power delivery.

Is the higher price of the Audi S8 justified by better efficiency?

No, the Audi S8 is considerably less efficient, rated at only 18 combined MPG, whereas the BMW is recommended to run on premium but will inherently offer better mileage given its less powerful engine and lighter status. The S8 demands premium unleaded while the 8 Series only recommends it.

Which sedan offers a more spacious interior footprint?

The 2026 Audi S8 is physically larger overall, measuring 209.5 inches long compared to the BMW's 200.3 inches. However, the BMW compensates with 15.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, beating the S8's 12.5 cu ft cargo hold.

What is the key mechanical difference in how these two cars deliver power?

The Audi S8 employs an advanced all-wheel drive system paired with an 8-speed automatic, maximizing traction for its immense power. In contrast, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe sends its power through the rear wheels exclusively via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Can I save substantial money by choosing the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe?

Yes, the starting MSRP for the 2026 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is $90,800, representing a substantial saving of $39,200 when compared to the $130,000 price point of the 2026 Audi S8.

How does the required fuel type impact long-term running costs?

The Audi S8 explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel, whereas the BMW only recommends it, suggesting the 8 Series might provide better flexibility and lower average fuel expenditure given its superior 18 MPG advantage over the S8.