VS
At a Glance
Power
420 kW
400 kW
Torque
800 Nm
745 Nm
Fuel
10.5 l/100km
18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km
Towing
2300 Kg
2000 Kg
0-100 km/h
3.8 s
4.7 s
Engine
3996 cc
electric cc
Choosing between the Audi S8 and the BMW i7 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Audi S8 delivers 420 kW while the BMW i7 produces 400 kW. On fuel, the S8 returns 10.5 l/100km while the i7 uses 18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 973 900 for the S8 and R3 028 000 for the i7. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
420 kW
400 kW
Torque
800 Nm
745 Nm
0-100 kph
3.8 s
4.7 s
Top Speed
250 Km/h
240 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
3996 cc
electric cc
Engine Layout
V
—
Cylinders
8
—
Fuel Type
petrol
electric
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
—
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
10.5 l/100km
18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
72 l
102 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
245 g/km
—
Dimensions
Length
5190 mm
5391 mm
Width
1945-2130 mm
1950-2192 mm
Height
1475 mm
1544 mm
Wheelbase
2998 mm
3215 mm
Ground Clearance
—
136 mm
Kerb Weight
2230 Kg
2640 DIN / 2715 EU Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5 (opt 4)
Load Volume
505 l
500 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2300 Kg
2000 Kg
Load Capacity
—
610 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
8
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
—
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
1
2 vehicle / 8 battery
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator (max 30000)
service interval indicator
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Audi S8
2 / 4 categories
Performance
S8
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
S8
Practicality
i7
Pros & Cons
Audi S8
More powerful engine (420 kW)
Lower starting price (R2 973 900)
Higher towing capacity (2300 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.8 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
BMW i7
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (400 kW vs 420 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the S8 or i7?
The S8 uses 10.5 l/100km and the i7 uses 18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the S8 or i7?
The S8 produces 420 kW and 800 Nm of torque while the i7 delivers 400 kW and 745 Nm of torque. The S8 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the S8 and i7?
The S8 starts from R2 973 900 and the i7 from R3 028 000. The S8 is cheaper by R54 100 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the S8 or i7?
The S8 has a braked towing capacity of 2300 Kg and the i7 can tow 2000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the S8 or the i7?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.