Compare the2024 Audi A8VS 2023 Mercedes CLS

The Audi A8 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The A8 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CLS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The A8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLS doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A8. But it costs extra on the CLS.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the A8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The CLS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The A8’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLS.

Both the A8 and the CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Audi A8 weighs 507 pounds more than the Mercedes CLS. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The A8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A8’s reliability 20 points higher than the CLS.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

For better stopping power the A8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLS:

The A8 stops much shorter than the CLS:

For better traction, the A8 has larger standard tires than the CLS (255/45R19 vs. 245/40R19). The A8’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLS (265/40R20 vs. 245/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A8 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The CLS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The A8 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CLS; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The A8 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the A8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the CLS, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The A8 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CLS.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the A8’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the CLS (123.2 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A8 a Large car, while the CLS is rated a Compact.

The A8 has 18 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLS (111 vs. 93).

The A8 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear headroom, 9.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLS.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the A8’s available rear seats recline. The CLS’ rear seats don’t recline.

The A8 has a larger trunk than the CLS (12.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A8 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CLS doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the A8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the A8 and the CLS have standard heated front seats. The A8 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLS.

The A8 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CLS doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the A8 and the CLS offer optional massaging front seats. The A8 also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the CLS.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLS.

The A8’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CLS’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A8, based on reliability, safety and performance.