To be honest, we didn’t think there’d be a four-door performance car as good looking as the Audi RS7 Sportback for some time. When the new RS7 first debuted just a few weeks ago, it stunned the world with its seductive good looks. Few four-door cars on the market can even come close to the aggressive beauty that is the RS7 Sportback. However, now there’s a car that not only comes close to it but could actually surpass it — the BMW M8 Gran Coupe.
Audi’s Bavarian rival has just launched its latest four-door performance “coupe” and it’s a looker. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe is the brand’s most powerful and most luxurious version of the 8 Series lineup and a direct rival to the new Audi RS7 Sportback. But since we can’t actually drive either just yet, we can’t compare how they drive or perform. We can compare how they look, though. So let’s get started.
Up front, both cars are very sporty and aggressive. Both have angular headlights, big grilles and large front air intakes. If I had to choose just one, though, it’d be the Audi RS7 Sportback. Its sharp edges, crisp lines and stunning headlights make give it the prettier face. The M8 Gran Coupe is great looking as well but I’m not as sold on its Kidney Grilles or headlights as I am on the RS7‘s.
In profile, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe takes the win, though. The Audi RS7 is a stunning looking car with a great silhouette but its liftback tailgate, while functional, gives it some extra bulk at the rear. While the M8 Gran Coupe is all sleek and muscular, with strong rear wheel arches and a built-in decklid spoiler. The Bimmer is just the much prettier car from the side.
Out back, I think the BMW M8 Gran Coupe takes the win yet again. The Audi RS7 has a nice rump, with an awesome light bar taillight and its massive oval exhausts. But the M8’s slim taillights, quad exhausts and more muscular rear haunches make it the sexier car from behind. Also, seeing that sort-of-double-bubble carbon fiber roof from behind is awesome.
Inside, it’s a bit interesting. Both are nice looking cabins and each has at least on aspect that’s better than the other’s but, overall, I think the Audi RS7 has to take it. It just looks and feels more special, with its dual touchscreen setup, honeycomb seat pattern, flat-bottomed steering wheel and awesome dash setup. We actually just finished up testing an Audi A7 and the interior is nicer than that of a standard 8 Series. So it only makes sense that the RS7 would be better than the M8’s, though it’s likely not by much. One thing the Audi has that bests the M8 for sure is its Virtual Cockpit and RS-specific view, which beats out BMW’s new setup and M-specific view.
Overall, though, I think the BMW M8 is the better looking car. It’s sleeker, smoother and more seductive looking. The Audi RS7 Sportback is a gorgeous car, of that there’s no doubt, and had the M8 not come out it would still be the king of its segment. But now that the M8 Gran Coupe is here, it’s the new king of the segment and one of the very best looking four-door cars in the world right now. We can’t wait to drive them.
