Car A
BMW 520i
The BMW 520i is an efficient five-seat saloon that suits road trips and growing families. Its balanced performance and 530 L boot make it good value in its segment.
BMW 520i
Sedan · Gasoline · FWD
vs
Audi A8 L W12
Sedan · Gasoline · AWD
Car B
Audi A8 L W12
The Audi A8 L W12 blends huge power with all-wheel-drive stability, making it a confident premium choice for long road trips. It seats five with a 505-liter trunk, but its fuel use and price won’t suit every commute or budget.
Why compared
same body typesame powertrainsame seatssame usage profilestrong usage match
Usage fit
Family
63
/
64
City
37
/
22
Budget / value
54
/
33
Road trip
64
/
71
Performance
33
/
47
Cargo
29
/
28
Practical
46
/
40
Premium
57
/
70
Winter
30
/
70
Scores out of 100. Blue = BMW 520i · Orange = Audi A8 L W12
Specs side-by-side
Spec
BMW 520i
Audi A8 L W12
Values are representative — confirm for your market and trim.
Pros & cons
BMW 520i
- Efficient for its class at 6 L/100 km, ideal for long-distance driving
- 530 L trunk handles family luggage for holidays and weekends
- Adequate pace for highways (184 hp, 0–100 km/h in 7.9 s, 235 km/h top speed)
- At about 55,000, it represents good value in its segment
- Saloon body limits loading flexibility for bulky items despite the volume
- Front-wheel drive may not suit buyers seeking AWD confidence for harsh winters
- Moderate acceleration; not for those prioritizing punchy performance
- Price may exceed tighter family-sedan budgets
Audi A8 L W12
- Effortless highway pace from 500 hp and 4.2 s 0–100 km/h
- AWD traction supports confident winter and all-weather travel
- Practical for road trips with seating for five and a 505-liter trunk
- Strong safety emphasis signaled in its rankings
- High combined consumption (12 L/100 km) raises running costs
- Less at home in stop-and-go city driving
- Limited cargo flexibility despite a sizable trunk
- Premium pricing may exceed many budgets
Verdict
Pick BMW 520i if…
Best fuel economy
BMW 520i uses 6.0 L/100km vs 12.0 — a meaningful saving if you cover high mileage.
Pick Audi A8 L W12 if…
All-wheel drive
Audi A8 L W12's AWD adds real-world confidence in wet, icy, or mixed-weather conditions.