Audi R8 vs. BMW i8
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi R8 and BMW i8 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi R8 and the BMW i8.
When comparing the Audi R8's and the BMW i8's specifications and ratings, the Audi R8 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The BMW i8 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Audi R8's and the BMW i8's specifications and ratings, the Audi R8 is a better car than the BMW i8.
Pricing: A used 2020 Audi R8 ranges from $142,999 to $196,604 while a used 2020 BMW i8 is priced between $64,955 to $94,528.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi R8 loses 44.4 percent of its value and the BMW i8 loses 45.6 percent of its value. This means the Audi R8 retains 1.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i8.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi R8 is 7.6 out of 10 while the BMW i8's quality rating is 7.1 out of 10. This results in the Audi R8 being ranked 12 out of 27 Best Luxury Convertibles and the BMW i8 being ranked 5 out of 8 Best Hybrid Luxury Sports Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi R8 is 7.5 out of 10. For the BMW i8 the reliability rating is 6.6 out of 10. This gives the Audi R8 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW i8.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi R8’s base engine makes 562 horsepower, and the BMW i8 base engine makes 369 horsepower. The R8 is rated to deliver an average of 16 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles.This gives the BMW i8 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Audi R8 the advantage in maximum range. The R8 uses premium unleaded, and the i8 uses electricity, premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$182,100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$94,049
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$41,350 - $500,000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$147,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$143,683
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$103,800 - $163,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$177,288
Price Range:
$142,999 - $196,604
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$80,113
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$32,174 - $182,277
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
19
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
17,166
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$83,233
Price Range:
$64,955 - $94,528
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$76,713
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$68,156 - $83,233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
31,881
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Audi R8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi R8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
8.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
4.7 - 13.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
1.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.9 - 22.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
0.3 - 26.1
Audi R8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 41Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
9 out of / 41Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 27Ranking
17 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 41Ranking
19 out of / 41Ranking
20 out of / 41Ranking
25 out of / 41Ranking
29 out of / 32BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Audi R8 Trim Levels
5.2 quattro V10 perform. Spyder, 5.2 quattro V10 Spyder, 5.2 quattro V10, 5.2 quattro V10 performance
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
562 hp @ 7800 rpm
Torque:
406 foot-lbs @ 6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.142 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
369 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
5.2 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
10
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
13 / 20 / 16
Range (city/hwy):
274 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 29 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.6 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3957 lbs
Width:
80.2 inches
Height:
49 inches
Length:
174.3 inches
Wheelbase:
104.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3501 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/35R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Gray
Ara Blue Crystal Effect / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect / Kemora Gray Metallic / Suzuka Gray Metallic
Red
Tango Red Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Ibis White
Yellow
Vegas Yellow
Brown
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Donington Grey / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ E-Copper Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Yellow
Not available
Brown
E-Copper Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Ara Blue Stitching / Black w/ Express Red Stitching / Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching / Black w/ Vegas Yellow Stitching
Brown
Palomino Brown
Red
Express Red
Silver
Pastel Silver
Gray
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
E-Copper Exclusive / Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Gray
Giga Amido
White
Giga Ivory White
