I didn't expect that the critics would be so bad. I honestly like 7-series and S-class more, but such a destroying judgment is really not fair. The A8 has advanced technology, super nice interior and seems in general more up to date than it's competitors.
Your colleague in Autocar gave the new A8 4.5 stars and said the car feels «amazingly wieldy and directionally responsive» and that it was «very pleasant» to drive, and on your website the A8 is ranked above the 7-series in the top 10 best luxury cars. So is the A8 a good car or not? It's not according to this video, but it is according to your website.
My BMW 750i is an absolute hoot to drive. I've driven professionally for three decades and was starting to get bored stiff behind the wheel. The Bimmer puts a smile on my face every time, even just going for groceries :)
I have watched hundreds and hundreds of car review videos over the past 15 years and I have never seen camera placement as satisfying as the ones that are presented inside these two luxury vehicles. I get such a sense of the true ambiance and all-encompassing inclusion from the well thought out placement of these cameras, I feel like I know what it's like to ride inside each of these two vehicles. Thank you, and please, continue to do so. Subscribed.
Great review chaps. I never thought I'd say this but I prefer the Audis interior. It's a shame nobody really buys saloons these days, they're so much better looking and cooler than SUVs.
@ Gi Gi Nope, @BusinessClassOnly is spot on: just check autotrader and search for BMW 7-Series from 2015 - first car that pops up is £19,700 (and you'd no doubt be able to negotiation a bit more off that too!).
I've been drivin around in all three cars to work. And I must say, S class is really great, but there are a lot of cheap plastic in the back and for such an expensive car, It shouldn't have that. The Audi A8, is great I love VW group cars, but to me it feels a lot like premium VW sedans (arteon). It has some really cool tech and it is really smooth to be drivin in. But it still has a little bit of cheapness to it. The BMW is great, the quality is just on point it's so smooth, and the gear shifts are in another league. Tho' it got some plastic, it don't feel as cheap for some reason, I don't know if they use some other materiels or not. BMW cars, just has something special to them. - I am a previous owner of the Audi, VW group cars. But I am now an owner of a BMW, just to be clear and honest.
8:49 *WHAT?!* You reviewed how sporty and engaging the A8 was to drive in *COMFORT MODE?!* Adaptive steering, variable dampers, transmission and variable sway bars were in their most comfortable setting and you seriously complained that the car didn't feel sporty to drive? What's next.. Putting semi-slicks on a G-Class and off-roading it?
I am an Audi guy but common, it's an A8, the pinnacle and it doesn't even have a sun/moon roof.. Really? My 2007 A4 base sedan has one.. This A8 is definitely a step back in terms of exterior.. The D4 generation with W shaped LED lights looked simply stunning..
I recently was in the market for a full size sedan. I would have taken the S Class but they retail for about 10 K more in the used market than the other two. The Audi is just super uninspiring so I bought a 7 series; and very happy with my decision.
Clearly.....that's why they call it the 'ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE'......Love my 7 series (my first was an '01 740iL - bought it in '02 - my second is the '15 75OLi) still have 'em both!
the A8, and to a lesser extent the new A6, are the first Audis showing VW got hurt by the diesel scandal and obviously had to reduce R&D and spending in general on their newer platforms.
This Autocar review reflects my own experiences with Audi and BMW. I have a BMW 750i with Dynamic Drive and bought a Audi A7 Prestige TDI with Quattro. The BMW 7-series with Dynamic Drive is THE best driving car I've found. It erases road imperfections, holds the road well and takes corners like a M3. My only complaints are that it's much heavier than it feels, making it hard to stop in bad weather, and the maintenance I've done (such as replacing valve seals) has been very time intensive. ...but, BMW's SQL-based ISTA is amazing and I've never had trouble finding part numbers or updating my car's firmware regularly. I bought the Audi A7 in hopes of a sportier ride mixed with better fuel economy for my daily commute, but it's just well-balanced and dull. Best I can say is that Audi is very practical. (This applies to every aspect of the car from the steering feel to the stereo.) I have to take turns at about half the speed of my 7-series because of the understeer and there's almost zero steering feedback in the wheel, no matter the setting (Comfort, Auto or Dynamic). Steering feels more like one of those video game steering wheels than actually driving a car. Ironically, I feel every bump in the road (and the roads here in Chicago are horrible), but Quattro works pretty well in bad weather. ...another huge issue is that Audi also has a lot of electronic bugs (such as the mirrors stop folding out if I lock the doors at the same time or the folding screen sometimes takes a minute to initiate) and their Java-based ODIS software requires a costly online subscription package (meant mostly only for Audi dealerships) to do most things. ...and forget about regular firmware updates as Audi doesn't believe in them. (Updates require SVM codes found in TPIs, which are usually a response to mass consumer complaints or lawsuits.) That said, it's a fine daily driver, but more comparable with Lexus/Acura than Mercedes/BMW. Based on my experiences, I'm not buying another VAG car in the future. They look fine and some specialized makes/models (such as Porsche) are great at one thing, but there are too many compromises that I'm not willing to make. BMW, in my own experiences, is more of a "best-of everything" or close to it experience.
Literally every other reviewer says that the A8 has a better ride and handling than the 7 series. Your own website ranks it higher than the 7 series, but you say the 7 series is better. WTF!?
Drove a bmw my whole life they drive nice but they are endless money pits. Got a audi a6 and been very happy with it. Nice video! I guess it comes down to preference.
Totally understand that , I've driven many of them new 740e 740i and 760L , It feels so precise and you sit and feel like you are driving a 1 series . (did i just say that) It handles beautifully
This is the very first review I’ve watched where the new Audi A8 had gotten a bad review (mind you in your website it was quite the opposite) you guys are clearly leaning towards performance critique because everything is centered around agility poise and handling, would you test the Rolls Royce the same??? You said it yourself these are limousines!!!
Cant trust reviews anymore, another reviewer said the Audi A8 is much more comfortable and silent then the S Class let alone the 7 Series, here they are saying the 7series is better on every aspect...Which is it?
It's not a big surprise the BMW handles better on UK roads. It's been that way for decades. That's not to say the Audi isn't a great car but the BMW handles better. If I was living in Germany, I'd choose the Audi but I'm not so I'd probably buy an S Class in preference to either of them 😉
Audi creaking is nothing new. The whole last series of Audi models does that. Their build quality is absolute garbage. The new A6, A7 and A8 all creak inside, at least the ones I've sat in, and I sat in quite a lot of them during the last year or so. Every single surface in the interior creaks and squeaks when you press it, especially those glossy black plastic pieces which are pretty much all over the dashboard and central console, even the metal trim that surrounds that glossy plastic is creaky when you squeeze it. Really disappointing to say that the current A3 and A4 are FAR ahead of the bigger Audi's in terms of interior quality. They might use more leather and wood in the bigger models, but they're very badly put together. Grab that central console in the A8 by the sides and yank it side to side and you'll feel the whole thing moving and creaking. They also lost their way in terms of design of the interior, I really don't like the way they look, I think the previous A8 generation was far ahead both in terms of design and especially quality. The new interiors focusing on a lot of cheap glossy plastic parts and a lot of screens with plastic pieces all over the place in general is not a good way forward. Screens look cheap, and will look outdated really soon. This is just the current craze, like digital watches in the 80's. We'll be back to analogue gauges and buttons before you know it, because that is timeless.
Audi pays the journalists to have good articles. But when there are comparative videos, they realize that BMW destroys Audi. Listen to the crackling sound inside the audi when the tester speaks. Everyone on this planet knows that the BMWs provide a driving pleasure above Audi and Mercedes, the chassis are exceptional. Audi fans are frustrated. It's easier to lie by writing your article behind your hidden desk than in a real test video
@Gi I think you are in denial. Apart from the Mercedes amg GT, no Mercedes is more efficient on a circuit than a BMW. The mercedes are heavy, unbalanced, BMW destroys Audi and Mercedes. a45-rs3
@@Naseefaek Kohli is the king but ppl need to be able to see where he comes in video. 2:00 is quite a bit later in case someone tries to find him after reading your comment
all specialized press says the new a8 is net superior to the 7th series, you say exactly the opposite ... what should i understand ?? honestly i will not believe u,sorry!
You guys forgot to put “Includes paid promotion” up. The things said in this video are not in line with other reviews of the A8. For one, according to other reviews, it’s the best ride in class. Worryingly biased review by you guys
If you want more power in the A8, then you buy it with a bigger engine, or you can wait for the S8, which will obviously be a car with more capable suspension and more power. It makes no sense to compare the A8 with the smallest, weakest engine with the 7 series and lamenting about the performance.
The BMW and the Audi in this review have roughly the same HP figures. Why do you think it is unfair comparison then ? Both BMW and Audi have more powerful engines. Also what about the misleading way Audi labels its model ? WTF is this 50 figure ? It seems like it is meant to compete with 750i and S 500 but it's nowhere near those performance figures.
Literally everything that the BMW has is what the Audi can have and much more. This wasn’t a fair test since the Audi was a lower version compared to the BMW. I’m not being bias but I am being fair.
I drive an Audi. My next door neighbor drives the BMW. Many a time I’ve asked him ... “haven’t seen your Beemer parked in the driveway. Have you been out of town?” His standard response ... “no it’s in for repairs (again)”. “Oh, sorry to hear (sheepish grin). Why don’t you trade it in for an Audi and get rid of the constant repair cycle?”. “Because I like BMW”. “Alrighty then 🙄”
They are not .... I have owned several Audi’s and a couple of BMW’s and their reliability is woeful. Especially the Audi’s.....really annoying. Over engineering and electronics gone mad. There is a sensor for everything and there are sensors watching the sensors so basically you get no end of alarms when one thing goes wrong. Basically these cars do the same thing as any ford or any Japanese car would but after 3 years things go wrong. It is almOST as if the failures are engineered into them
Any one who says German cars are the best in the world either has never owned one or owns a 20 year old one (built in simpler times when, yes one could argue that they are the best in the world).. having said that, I have owned 3 MERCEDES eclasses as well as BMW’s and Audi’s. My mb was the previous generation and the pre facelifts one before that. I only ever had one failure in 2009 when just outside of warranty a bank of sensors went astray and the car shut down on a roundabout ! Mercedese fixed it gratis and sent the invoice for the fix by mistake . £786. I have since owned a 2011 eclass and a 2015 eclass and not a thing has gone wrong.... although there is a massive difference in the quality of interior materials between my previous sport and last eclass SE. In my experience of the three German giants MB seems the most reliable, but servicing at the dealer is extortionate. A simple filter change and oil inspection service at 48000 miles was £480 ridiculous! I am moving to Lexus next. BMW and audi reliability’s is woeful. Especially audi. I have owned an A6 c6 and c7 and BMW 5 SERIES and for a short time an x5. All shite for reliability. All these cars had less than 50k miles on them when I bought them. I don’t believe Lexus would be any better built but the Japanese know a thing or two about removing faults and defects from the manufacturing process. I am after an RX; the saloons are pig ugly and boring
Regardless of which is the better car overall, I totally get the point about having real dials/buttons to control things. these touch screen climate controls systems are slow and awkward.
I think when just looking to what a car is supposed to do...driving, the BMW is better car. I think the hype with the screens and (too) clean Audi interiors is really annoying as driving is just much worse in the Audi. Good review in my view.
I own a BMW 2016 750 Twin Turbo 8 M sport and a Lexus 2011 460 LAWD Both Amazing cars AND either one puts the Audi to shame in handling and 0-60 and really tight turns over 100 MPH
BS review because your website says the Audi is excellent. Not to menrion the 7 series was optioned out to the max. The Audi has all those features and active suspension IF you option it. Next time get the same damn tier of car (engine, suspension, options, etc)
It’s insane the bias in this review. Nothing positive about the Audi, nothing negative about the 7 series. The car journalist I trust the most (Mat Watson) said the a8 is vastly superior to the bmw in every way, including quality handling and comfort
I thought the Audi would be the winner. It seems that the A8 in all its history it never beat the main challengers. Good for BMW, but I put my money for the A8 Audi
The problem with this review is that both cars do not have the same spec, you need to spec like for like. The BMW clearly has the up graded 4 wheel steering and suspension, but the Audi hasn't, so get real with the reviews Autocar.
This video was completely biased to the 7 series, clearly both reviewers favoured the 7 series as the guy in the A8 pretty much only talked negative about the car and wanted performace out of a luxury car which was clearly not meant for it while the guy in the 7 series clearly showed the car’s benefits like what all car reviewers do. I may be called an ‘audi fanboy’ but this video was completely biased and unfair.
I think the concept of the luxury product, so well described by the ancient Greeks , is completely misunderstood nowadays. Luxurious , it's a product that performs just as well all the functions it's intended for. In this sense, BMW's 7 series superiority in driving behavior and ride quality combined with it's more functional interior , which you described so well , and also the fact that cracks, squeaks and other unpleasant noises are inconsistent with the high price of a luxury car, are proof that BMW 7 series is obviously superior to A8. Furthermore, the nice, elegant screens that are supposed to make you make your job easier, are nothing but trouble when you drive and do not have the functionality and ease of use of the traditional knobs.
With the A8 (and my A6) you can tell it to change the temperature or change radio station using a voice command. So no pfaffing required with the screen when driving.
What’s funny is that,the guy who was driving the a8 was talking all the bad things about it only,and the guy on the bmw was talking good things about it only,it was very biased!!!!!
Not driven either car so I couldn’t say which was the better car but even if the Audi was better than the BMW could you bring yourself to say it? I’m surprised I haven’t heard any mention of drifting around on public roads as that’s usually the the only thing that matters when motoring journalists are judging a cars driving dynamics so well done on that point.
Come on fanatic motoring journalists, all are bmw fanboys or audi haters, all who only care about driving impressions, none who could afford or be willing to buy a new luxury car or look into the perspective of who will really consider buying the cars and how it’ll be like to own them.
This new A8 doesn't look big on screen but that 7 series does, 7 series has lot of road presence and that A8 is more of a tech factory and it looks from outside the car as well
Guys if you are reading the comments while watching the video, stop watching it. Its simple nonsense and waste of time. The reviewers seem to be on BMWs payroll. You will not be getting the true and honest picture so unless you are a die-hard BMW fan who enjoys to bully there is nothing much here. The real title of the video should have been "Audi vs BMW | Which company pays Autocar more for marketing"
The current Audi gearboxes, manual excluded are simply terrible, they have so much lag that they are downright dangerous, I won’t have another Audi until they sort this problem out, I value my life too much. The person that signed them off must be a comedian.
The Audi isn't supposed to be sporty. The BMW has a hint of athleticism to it and the Audi doesn't because it's supposed to be a luxury car first. I'm done with Audis consistently losing out because they're not as dynamic as their competitors. They're not trying to be. With cars like the RS3 and R8 we know they're capable of really fast white-knuckle sports cars- let the A8 do it's own thing.
I see in the comments all the audi fan boys crying bias.. bottom line is the 18 7 series is far more superior in all aspects then the heavy boat anchor 18 A8.. cheers!
