We have done many Audi comparisons, such as the Audi A3 vs A4 or the Audi A4 vs S4, but haven’t touched on the Audi A7 vs A8, until now. Since the Audi A7 and Audi A8 are both similar sedans, there aren’t very many differences between the two. However, we will be breaking down size, price, performance, reliability, and common problems between the two models. The A7 is positioned between the A6 and A8, while the A8 is the biggest sedan Audi has to offer.
Audi A7 vs A8 – The Basics
The Audi A7 was first introduced in 2010 and is still being produced today. The Audi A7 is classified as a luxury coupe car. Since its inception, there have been 2 different generations: AG8 A7 and the AK8 A7. The AG8 was built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, while the AK8 was built on the MLB Evo platform. The A7 is essentially a four-door fastback version of the C7 A6. There are two other models available: S7 and RS 7.
The Audi A8 was first introduced a decade and a half before the A7 in 1994 and is still being produced today. The Audi A8 is classified as a full-size luxury sedan. It is the legendary Audi V8’s successor. There have been 4 different generations since the A8’s inception: D2 A8, D3, A8, D4 A8, and D5 A8. The first two generations (D2 & D3) were built on the Volkswagen Group’s D platform, the D4 was built on the MLB platform, and lastly, the D5 A8 is built on the MLB Evo platform. Audi only offers one other model in the A8 family: the S8.
Audi A7 Generations
- 4G8 A7 (2010-2018)
- 4K8 A7 (2019-Present)
Audi A8 Generations
- D2 A8 (1997-2002)
- D3 A8 (2003-2010)
- D4 A8 (2011-2018)
- D5 A8 (2019-Present)
Audi A7 vs A8 Price
In this portion, we will be going over brand new 2022, as of this writing, model prices and used prices for the A7 and A8.
New Audi A7 and Audi A8 Prices
In this section, we will be going over the new A7 2022, as of this writing, model year prices. There are 2 different engines A7 offers: 55 TFSI, and 55 TFSI hybrid. A Premium A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $69,200, a Premium Plus A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $74,350, and lastly, a Prestige A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $78,350. While a Premium Plus A7 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® starts at $75,900, and a Prestige A7 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® starts at $81,250. If you are wanting more performance, the S7 starts at $84,600 and the RS 7 starts at $118,500.
There is currently only one trim when it comes to the 2022 A8’s and it starts at $86,500 with quite a bit of add-ons available from Audi. If you are looking for a larger engine, the S8 starts at $116,900.
If you are curious about the trim differences with Audi’s, here is an article we wrote about the different Audi trims.
Used Audi A7 & A8 Price’s
When it comes to used Audi A7s vs A8s, pricing is pretty much consistent with new prices. With that, we mean that since the A8 is larger than the A7, it tends to be more expensive. Since both models have been around for over a decade, we will be basing prices on all the most recent generations for both models. A used 4G8/4K8 A7 price ranges from $12,795 – $86,997* with an average price overall of $49,895, depending on model year and mileage. A used D4/D5 A8s price ranges from $13,588 – $98,975* with an average price overall of $56,285, depending on model year and mileage. So, is the Audi A8 really worth the extra money?
*At the time of writing this article, we believe we are in a market where used vehicles are inflated, so consider that when seeing the used prices above.
General A7 & A8 Topics
A7 vs A8 Size
Below are some basic details about the size and weight differences seen between the 2022 Audi A7, and the 2022 Audi A8. This is where the real differences start to come out between the two models.
Audi A7 vs A8
When it comes to the size, the A8 is overall bigger because it is a full-size sedan. The only big difference that the A7 has over the A8 is cargo space, which was actually a surprise to us. The A7 has almost double the amount of cargo space as the A8.
Audi A7 vs A8 Performance
For consistencies sake, we will be using the 2022 A7 and 2022 A8 performance specs.
Engines, Drivetrain, & Fuel Economy
A7 Performance
The A7 has two different engine options: 55 TFSI (3.0T TFSI), and 55 TFSI (2.0T TFSI + electric motor). The 55 TFSI engine can be found on all the trims, while the 55 TFSI hybrid is only found on the Premium Plus and Prestige trims. The 55 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® engine puts out 362hp and 369lb-ft of torque. Audi’s AWD system, Quattro®, and a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission come standard on both engines. The S7 features a 2.9T TFSI engine that puts out 444hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the RS 7 features a 4.0T TFSI V8 that puts down 591hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
The 55 TFSI engine gets 19mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 22 with a 21.7gal fuel tank. While the 55 TFSI hybrid engine has a total electric mileage range of 410 miles and a combined 27mpg solely on gas with a 13.7gal fuel tank.
A8 Performance
The A8 currently only has one engine option and trim: 55 TFSI (3.0T TFSI). The 55 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Audi’s AWD system, Quattro®, and an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission come standard on the 3.0T engine. While the S8 features a 4.0T TFSI V8 that puts down 563hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The A8 55 TFSI engine gets 19mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 22 with a 21.7gal fuel tank.
Audi A7
Is the Audi A7 reliable? According to RepairPal, the A7 reliability rating is below average. It is rated 2 out of 5, which is below the 2.5 out of 5 average luxury fullsize car reliability rating. This puts the Audi A7 almost dead last, 27th out of 30 luxury full-size cars. A used 2017 Audi A7 is rated the highest in reliability. Average annual ownership costs for an A7 are $1,251, which is far above the average cost of $976 for other luxury full-size vehicles.
Common problems that are seen in A7s are as followed: premature timing chain failure, defective start-stop system, defective airbags, steering issues, electrical bugs, common fuel leaks, and unexpected coolant loss. A7s can last up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles if maintained properly. Once the A7 crosses the 100,000-mile mark, preventative maintenance is crucial for longevity.
Audi A8
Is the Audi A8 reliable? Like the A7, the A8s reliability rating is below average. According to RepairPal, it is rated at 1.5 out of 5, which is below the 2.5 out of 5 average luxury fullsize car reliability rating. This puts the Audi A8 even closer to dead last, 28th out of 30 luxury full-size cars. If you are in the market for a used A8, we would advise avoiding these model years: 2008, 2011, 2014-2015, and 2017-2019. Average annual ownership costs for an A8 are $1,298, which is far above the average cost of $976 for other luxury full-size vehicles.
Common problems that are seen in A8s are as followed: defective start-stop system, premature timing chain failure, clogged oil filters, and excessive oil consumption. If maintained properly, we’ve seen A8s last over 150,000 miles. Just like the A7, once the A8 hits 100,000 miles, preventative maintenance is crucial for longevity purposes.
A7 vs A8 – Which is Better?
The question everyone wants to know, is which is better the Audi A7 vs A8? We can provide our insight, but this answer comes down to what consumers need in vehicles. Personally, we like the A7 because of the coupe and sportier look. If a consumer needed more cabin space, the A8 would be the way to go. The A8 will have larger and more fancy Audi MMI touchscreens, but other than that they are pretty close. The A7 is a little cheaper and seems to be more reliable. Since they are both relatively expensive sedans, the tech, safety features, and interior are very similar. Both have 5-star safety ratings. Both have a seating capacity of 5. So in the end it comes down to how consumers weigh the pros and cons of both models.
Audi A7 vs A8 Conclusion
In conclusion, we know that purchasing a luxury vehicle can be a daunting task. Therefore, we hope the information provided above assists anyone in their purchasing journey. In short, the A7 is better looking and has more cargo space and the A8 is a larger sedan. If anyone reading this happens to have first-hand experience with either model, please let us know your experience in the comments below. This will help future readers with their purchasing decisions and will help us refine our research.
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