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If there was a time that the Audi A8 was more of a comfortable and handsome curiosity than a true player in the luxury car class, that time ended with the latest model, on sale since 2017, which is right up there with the all-conquering Mercedes-Benz S-Class in terms of quality, comfort, and sophistication.
Best of all, it’s still handsome like its predecessors, while the march of technological progress means it’s cleaner and more fuel-efficient than ever, despite being rapid and incredibly refined in all its guises. Naturally, you get Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system across the range, so the A8’s qualities don’t fade when the weather turns either.
The S-Class remains an exceedingly tough rival, as does BMW’s latest 7 Series, while the Range Rover offers its own brand of luxury in SUV guise rather than as a saloon. But both new and used, the A8 is now up there with the best.
The original Audi A8 was a significant car for the German brand, as it debuted with an aluminium structure - the first car in its class to do so, and one of the first models on the market to be built from aluminium full stop. From this early start in 1994, the A8 has been through three further iterations, the most recent making its debut in 2017, and adding a long-wheelbase option to the mix.
While the A8 may still be technically intriguing, it’s also a better car than ever - and in our view, marks Audi finally being right up there with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as being a world-beating luxury car. It’s impeccably built, very comfortable indeed, packed with technology, and has a range of powerful and efficient engines that make it very difficult to ignore.
The styling might look a little like an enlarged version of the less prestigious Audi A6, but step inside and it has all the hallmarks of a true luxury car, from expansive space (especially in long wheelbase form) to top-quality materials.
The A8 makes sitting in the back a pleasure, but it’s pretty good from the front too. The dashboard is dominated by Audi’s Virtual Cockpit driver display and then a pair of touchscreens on the console. These can take a little time to master and can be a distraction, but are effective and easy to use once you’re familiar.
On the move it’s very quiet and refined, with smooth, effortlessly powerful engines working in tandem with standard air suspension to minimise noises and bumps as you swoosh along at speed. It’s not bad when asked to negotiate corners either, in the context of it being a large, long, and heavy luxury car - models with four-wheel steering can even feel surprisingly agile.
Audi has had to work hard to get the A8 to this level, particularly to compete with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class - the most formidable model in the luxury car class for more than half a century. The new BMW 7 Series is right up there too; the class has perhaps never been stronger. Left-field alternatives both new and used include the Range Rover, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, and Maserati Quattroporte, but most will make you compromise in quality and ability next to the Audi.
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There are no wrong answers here. Even in basic Sport trim the A8 is comprehensively equipped, and its smaller alloy wheels allow for an even smoother ride than those further up the range, while the S Line and Black Edition packages are primarily aesthetic. Sport trim also pairs with all three of the current engines offered, the 50 TDI, 55 TFSI, and 60 TFSI e.
Of those engines, the 50 TDI will do the job for most buyers, being both swift and very frugal. The petrol naturally is thirstier though is even quieter on the move, while the plug-in hybrid may be the choice for those who spend a lot of time in cities. The S8 is a bit of a black sheep: it’s very able, but doesn’t exactly transform this two-tonne beast into a proper sports car.
Like many cars in its class, the Audi A8’s trim levels are well-equipped across the board. The opening Sport line is something of a misnomer on its relatively modest 18-inch wheels and with plenty of silver and chrome trim, but S Line turns up the sporting appeal, while those after true performance can upgrade to the S8. Most A8s are also available in A8 L specification, referring to the long-wheelbase models.
The Audi A8’s dimensions are:
The Audi A8’s boot size is:
The 60 TFSI e has the cheapest VED or ‘road tax’ rate of the A8 range, thanks to it being classed as an alternative fuel vehicle. New buyers won’t pay a penny with a sub-50g/km CO2 rating. With a list price of more than £40,000 though, it jumps up to £560 per year for the next five years, £10 less than the petrol and diesel models.