Audi A8 Review

Introduction

The A8 is Audi’s flagship saloon, merging style and space to create the most luxurious and most aspirational four-door limousine of them all. At least that’s the idea. The latest model, set apart by new lights and a new grille, is clearly aimed directly at that goal thanks to its high-tech cabin, impeccable build quality and the inclusion of a go-faster, V8-powered S8 version. But at the same time, it’s also hugely efficient, spacious and capable.

However, with some stiff competition in the shape of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as well as the Lexus LS, the A8 has its work cut out. Those three cars rule the roost when it comes to handling, comfort and quality, so where does the Audi, with its relatively minor upgrades, fit into the pack?

At a Glance

Although the A8 has recently been updated – the new grille and new lights are the giveaways – the car looks much as it always has. Chunky, strong and stylish, it’s everything a luxury Audi saloon should be. And the S8 models, set apart by their quad exhausts, merge performance and plushness perfectly.

Inside, the A8 is equally solid and well built, with some luxurious touches and tactile materials to add an even greater sense of grandeur. There’s plenty of space, even in the shorter-wheelbase cars, but the longer L models provide acres of rear legroom for those long motorway journeys. And there’s a big boot for all your luggage.

The engine range comprises a selection of powerful powertrains, ranging from the ultra-efficient plug-in hybrids to the beefy diesels and the more performance-orientated petrol engines. Those seeking economy in town will be best served by a hybrid, while those looking for long-range efficiency will be more compelled by the diesel. And those who want a bit more poke will want the go-faster S8.

Key Features

While the BMW 7 Series is marked out by its driving experience and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is defined by its comfort and technology, the A8 has a slightly different approach. Where the BMW and Mercedes excel in one or two areas, the Audi aims to perform strongly everywhere – a bit like the James Milner of luxury saloons, if you will.

It performs that task admirably, managing to occupy the middle ground between the S-Class and 7 Series in terms of ride and handling while also offering impeccable cabin quality and a luxurious feel. Perhaps the A8 isn’t as advanced as the S-Class, but it still has all the goodies customers will want or need, and it packs all that into a reassuringly solid, spacious and comfortable box.

All that said, we have to give some credit to the dynamic capability of the S8. With a perfectly judged V8 under the bonnet, it provides brisk performance and just the right level of noise. It’s quiet in the cruise, noisy under load and discreet yet menacing around town. And thanks to its clever air suspension, it’s surprisingly nimble in corners, albeit not as agile as the equivalent 7 Series.

Performance & Drive

The A8 engine range is comprehensive, and customers have plenty of choice. There are basic petrol and diesel options, in the shape of the 50 TDI and 55 TFSI models, while plug-in hybrid customers are catered for by the 60 TFSI e, which combines a 3.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to provide lower emissions and improved economy while still offering plentiful performance.

The ‘basic’ option is the 50 TDI diesel, which uses a 3.0-litre engine to produce a plentiful 286hp, which is distributed between the front and rear axles via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It might be the baby of the range, but it’ll still get from 0-62mph in less than six seconds and it’ll hit the obligatory 155mph top speed.

If you want more power, the 55 TFSI provides 340hp and the same Quattro all-wheel-drive system, but it’s a little less economical. However, the extra power means the 0-62mph time falls very slightly, while the top speed remains limited to 155mph.

The sole plug-in hybrid option is the 60 TFSI e, which produces 462hp from its combination of electric motor and V6 petrol engine. It can cover short journeys on electricity alone, which makes it efficient around town, but there’s still a petrol engine to cover you for longer drives. And with that much power on board, it’ll manage 0-62mph in less than five seconds.

Finally, those with a real need for speed will choose the S8, which comes with a meaty 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine producing 571hp. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds, although the top speed is still limited to 155mph. And the engine isn’t the only difference. The S8 also comes with upgraded suspension to improve handling, and there are some other performance-orientated upgrades.

The A8 drives in a stable, docile way, but even the S8 isn’t as much fun as a BMW 7 Series. There’s less agility and a greater sensation of weight, which is reassuring for much of the time, but less exciting when you want to let your hair down. That said, the S8’s suspension is remarkable and the way in which it manages to stay level in corners while still gripping hard and riding smoothly is impressive.

But that car is still at its best on the German motorways, snarling its way between major cities and leaving almost everything else in its turbulent wake. The high-speed stability and comfort is excellent, but across the A8 range, the low-speed ride isn’t quite as good as that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Stuttgart’s finest has the uncanny ability to feel like a magic carpet on the road, and the Audi just can’t quite achieve that level of composure. Nevertheless, it’s much more comfortable than most Audis, even in notoriously firm S Line form.

Running Costs & Emissions

Choosing the right A8 for you will depend largely on what you want to do with it. On paper, the plug-in hybrid is the most efficient choice, with its three-figure economy and ultra-low emissions. While that will be good for company car drivers, achieving the claimed efficiency will only be possible for those who charge regularly and make mostly short journeys, allowing most of their miles to be covered by the battery’s 37-mile range. For those regularly making longer trips the A8 is designed to swallow easily, the 3.0-litre diesel option will likely prove more useful, although it will be more expensive for company car drivers to tax.

Interior & Technology

As the flagship saloon in Audi’s line-up, this is the most important aspect of the A8. And as you’d expect, it delivers. Build quality is as good as anything on the market, with lots of tactile yet robust materials, some outstanding switchgear and a general feel of solidity and strength. It’s like every other Audi, but the key characteristics have been turned up to 11.

The design is, perhaps, a little on the uninspiring side, with chunky features that are replicated across the Audi range and some slightly unimaginative materials. The leather and aluminium parts are brilliant, but there’s a bit too much glossy black for our liking, which means it quickly ends up covered in fingerprints unless you’re careful.

That said, the A8’s on-board technology is exemplary, and that’s a good thing, because there’s lots of it. You get two central touchscreens as standard, with the lower one controlling features such as climate control, while the higher one provides the navigation and media displays. And, of course, there’s the Virtual Cockpit that has become a key selling point of every Audi product. With a hugely customisable, high-definition display, the driver can see their navigation instructions or trip computer while the passengers operate the central screens independently.

And to help the driver out, there’s a selection of driver assistance systems including a head-up display and reversing camera, both of which come as standard. As you expect from an Audi, everything works well, with clear menus, high-resolution displays and sharp responses. It’s a masterclass in in-car entertainment.

Practicality & Boot Space

The Audi A8 is a big car, and it’s no surprise to find a big boot at the rear. With 505 litres of luggage space, it’s a match for the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, if not the outright victor. The boot is a bit shallow, but that’s par for the course with cars such as this, and there’s still plenty of room for most luggage. And anyway, most A8 customers won’t spend much time taking their limo to the recycling centre.

They may, however, spend a bit of time in the back seats, where there’s ample space. The A8 comes in a choice of lengths, but both offer plenty of rear leg- and headroom. Naturally, there’s a little more space to stretch out in the A8 L, but neither car is what you’d call cramped. Even tall adults won’t have any complaints about the space on offer back there.

Safety

The Audi A8 hasn’t yet been tested by Euro NCAP’s crash-testers, but we would expect it to score solidly. Its relatives, the Audi A4 and A6 saloons, both managed strong five-star ratings in their last crash tests, achieving high scores across the board. We’d be astonished if the A8 could not follow suit were it to go under the microscope.

It certainly comes with enough technology to keep you safe. Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance to the vehicle in front, while autonomous emergency braking will stop the car if the driver fails to respond to a hazard. There’s a head-up display, too, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and there’s a reversing camera thrown in to help you prevent parking mishaps.

Options

A8 customers essentially get a choice of several different trim levels, depending somewhat on which engine you choose. For more conventional petrol-, hybrid- and diesel-powered A8s, trims range from the ‘basic’ Sport version to the Black Edition, via a mid-range S Line model with a slightly sportier outlook. But the S8 has three trims of its own, from the standard car to the high-end Vorsprung, via the Black Edition.

As standard, all A8s come with air suspension, two touchscreen displays and a digital instrument cluster, as well as a head-up display. Leather upholstery is standard, too, as well as LED headlights and a range of on-board safety systems, including adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

S Line models upgrade the standard 18-inch alloys for larger 20-inch rims, as well as getting the sportier S Line styling and more upmarket lights. There’s privacy glass with acoustic double glazing, too, and sporty-looking sculpted seats.

The S8 not only gets the massive V8 engine, but it also comes with 20-inch alloy wheels and HD matrix LED headlights, while the Black Edition adds bigger 21-inch wheels and black styling tweaks and the Vorsprung gets a panoramic sunroof, extended leather and a control panel for those in the back seats.

Audi is offering the S8 with a wide range of colours, including some new additions. District Green and Firmament Blue are eye-catching no-cost options, but Ultra Blue is arguably the most gripping option, alongside all the usual blacks, whites, greys and silvers.

Rival Cars

The Audi A8 doesn’t have too many rivals, but those competitors should not be underestimated. BMW and Mercedes-Benz pour millions of euros into the development of the 7 Series and S-Class not because a return is expected next week – although we’re sure that would be welcome – but because that technology will trickle down the range and become a key selling point of lowlier models for years to come. Perhaps it’s a long game, but it’s one that consistently puts the big saloons at the top of their game.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the key exponent of such an approach, packed to the rafters with clever equipment including massive touchscreens and seats that increase their lateral support when you corner. It’s bristling with cameras and sensors and motors that help to keep you safe and comfortable on the road.

By the same token, the BMW 7 Series, is a shining example of what BMW can do when it puts its mind to it, offering the brand’s trademark dynamism with lashings of technology, quality and luxury. It might not have the high-tech wow factor of the S-Class, but it makes up for that with the driving experience of a sports saloon. Despite its size and weight, the 7 Series feels more lively than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It’s extraordinary.

And then there’s the forgotten face in the tiny luxury saloon crowd. The Lexus LS is sharp-suited and fantastically well made, albeit with Lexus’ somewhat left-field approach to luxury. For more conventional class, customers could consider the latest-generation Bentley Flying Spur, which is more expensive than the Audi, but comes with a sumptuous interior, surprising dynamic ability and a choice of powerful engines.

Or there’s the Maserati Quattroporte, which is a distinctly Italian option with some stunning powertrains and equally eye-catching design, but a little less solidity than the German, Japanese and British choices.

Verdict & Next Steps

While the A8 may not be able to beat the S-Class and 7 Series in one or two areas, it plays the jack-of-all-trades role in the luxury saloon market. It might not drive like the 7 Series, but it’s more relaxing and just as well built, and while the S-Class might be more comfortable and more advanced, it doesn’t drive as well as the Audi – particularly in S8 form. 

By hitting the middle ground between the two class leaders, the A8 has managed to carve out a niche within a niche, offering customers the chance to balance the qualities of the BMW and Mercedes with something equally cool and desirable.

Where to next?

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*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the Audi A8

**Correct as of 15/08/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £6,598.71 Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.