Tech Face-off: BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 vs Mercedes S Class

Technology is the king of the full-size luxury sedan segment. The three biggest competitors in this segment are the Mercedes-Benz S Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8. They are arranged in this order based on their popularity. ExtremeTech put all of them together in a tech face-off to find out who really is the best.

The Audi A8 was launched in 2009 and it is by far the oldest among the choices. The upside is that the interior is very nice and luxurious. The downside is, the age shows in the tech that it has to offer. It has Audi’s MMI system but a bit outdated. The nav screen is also quite small. For the 2013 models and newer, it does have an in-car WiFi. Driving wise, it is the most fun among the three. Thanks to its 3.0 liter supercharged V6 or 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 matted to an impressive Quattro all-wheel drive system. This one comes in third still.

In second place is the Mercedes-Benz S Class. It has an extremely luxurious cabin and impressive technology. It has two large screens replacing the traditional nav screen and gauge cluster, Magic Body Control and autonomous driver aids made it feel high-tech. However, it isn’t that much fun to drive. It is still the best selling model among the three though.

The winner of this tech face-off is the BMW 7 Series. It is a marvel of automotive technology. It has all the new tech that one could ask for since it was only released this year. Its Carbon Core chassis is named as such because carbon fiber is used in certain areas of the chassis, including the B and C-pillars as well as certain impact zones. It is the lightest and safest car to drive in its segment. It has autonomous driving options such as remote parking and gesture control. It is fun to drive but not as fun as the Audi.

Thanks to Extreme Tech for this review!