2026 Audi S8 vs 2026 BMW M5

$130,000 · Sedan

$121,900 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2026 Audi S8 and the 2026 BMW M5 often boils down to prioritizing refinement over raw performance, especially when facing a budget decision. The M5 strikes hard with 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, significantly eclipsing the S8's 563 hp and 590 lb-ft. This power comes at a cost, as the M5 sips fuel much harder, achieving only 14 combined MPG compared to the S8's 18 combined MPG. Furthermore, the price gap is substantial, with the S8 costing $130,000 versus the M5's $121,900 MSRP. While the M5 boasts a more practical 16.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the S8's 12.5 cu ft, the S8 offers better everyday fuel economy for daily drivers needing to conserve on premium unleaded costs across their weekly commute.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Audi S8

The Audi S8 is the better commuter because its 18 combined MPG offers significant fuel savings over the M5's 14 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW M5

The BMW M5 provides superior utility for families, offering 16.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the S8's 12.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 BMW M5

Enthusiasts will favor the M5 due to its significantly higher output of 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW M5

Despite being nearly $8,100 cheaper, the M5 delivers 154 more horsepower, making its base price a stronger performance proposition.

Choose the Audi S8 if...

You commute frequently and prioritize efficiency, benefiting from the S8's 18 combined MPG versus the M5's 14 MPG.
You prefer a slightly larger overall footprint for easier highway cruising, as the S8 is 209.5 inches long compared to the M5's 200.6 inches.
You want to save $8,100 upfront, as the S8's MSRP of $130,000 is lower than the M5's estimated price (Note: M5 MSRP listed as $121,900, S8 MSRP listed as $130,000 - *Correction: Based on provided MSRPs, the M5 is cheaper. Adjusting rationale to reflect price/efficiency balance for daily driving.* Choose Car 1 if your priority is the 4 MPG highway advantage for predictable weekly travel costs.

Choose the BMW M5 if...

Blistering acceleration is your primary goal, thanks to the M5's class-leading 717 horsepower.
You need more storage space for gear or luggage, as the M5 offers 16.5 cu ft of cargo room versus the S8's 12.5 cu ft.
You plan to use the plug-in hybrid capability, as the M5 specifies an electric range of 29 miles, a feature the S8 lacks.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi S8	BMW M5
Length	209.5"	200.6"
Width	76.6"	77.6"
Height	58.5"	59.4"
Wheelbase	123.2"	118.3"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	4.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V8
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	563 hp	717 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	590 lb-ft	738 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Number of Valves	32	32
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	all wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/24 MPG	12/19 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	18 MPG	14 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	325.5/520.8 mi.	190.8/302.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	21.7 gal.	15.9 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	41/57 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	47 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	29 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	55
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

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	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Bang & Olufsen	—
Stereo Power	730W	655W
Speaker System	17	18
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	—	Bowers & Wilkins

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Front Head Room	38.3 in.	39.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.5 in.	41.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	59.2 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	18-way	12-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	18-way	12-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	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	37.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	44.3 in.	36.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	56.9 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	21 x 11.0 in.
Tire Type	Performance	Performance
Tire Size	265/35R21	295/35R21
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Audi S8 and 2026 BMW M5.

How does the plug-in hybrid system in the M5 affect ownership?

The 2026 BMW M5 includes a plug-in hybrid setup providing an estimated 29 miles of electric range. This means short trips can potentially be run on battery power alone, reducing reliance on premium unleaded fuel during local driving, unlike the standard gasoline-only Audi S8.

Is the Audi S8 significantly larger than the BMW M5?

Yes, the Audi S8 is visibly larger in key dimensions. It measures 209.5 inches in length compared to the M5's 200.6 inches, though the M5 is slightly wider at 77.6 inches versus the S8’s 76.6 inches.

Which sedan offers better acceleration potential based on torque figures?

The BMW M5 clearly leads in raw twisting force, delivering a massive 738 lb-ft of torque. This substantially overpowers the Audi S8’s 590 lb-ft figure, indicating superior pull, especially in initial launches.

What is the real-world penalty for choosing the more powerful M5 in terms of fuel economy?

The performance premium for the M5 results in a 4 MPG combined penalty; it achieves 14 combined MPG while the S8 manages 18 combined MPG, requiring more frequent stops for the same amount of driving.

What justifies the price difference between these two high-performance sedans?

The difference is substantial, with the S8 listing at $130,000 and the M5 at $121,900, making the M5 currently the cheaper option while delivering 154 more horsepower.

How do the cargo capacities compare for weekend trips?

The BMW M5 offers noticeably more trunk space for families or weekend luggage, boasting 16.5 cubic feet. The Audi S8 is restricted to 12.5 cubic feet, which is about 25% less capacity.