Name: Audi A8 Review
Item: Audi A8
Author: Gumtree.com

Since its original launch in 1994, the A8 has been Audi’s flagship vehicle. This classy limousine certainly deserves the title – it’s smart and business-like on the outside, and opulent yet minimalist on the inside. The A8 was relaunched in 2013 and underwent a major facelift in 2018. Audi update minor bits of tech on a regular basis to keep the A8 at the top of its game, so features may vary slightly with build year. Like all ultra-premium vehicles, it comes at an ultra-premium price. If you’re shopping for a large, luxury, top-of-the-range saloon, it’s still a good deal.

Visit the Audi A8 model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Audi A8

With a luxurious design and a selection of fuel types available, the Audi A8 is a modern limousine that puts business class on the road.

Pros

Understated styling

Incredible interior

Relaxing ride

Cons

–

No Euro NCAP safety rating

–

Looks just like the rest of the Audi range

Available as a petrol, diesel and petrol plug-in hybrid, the Audi A8 is a range-topping luxury vehicle that can seat five, or four with the optional Chauffeur package. Its efficiency ranges from around 30 mpg to over 100 mpg depending on the fuel type and engine size selected.

Driving performance of the Audi A8

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

Driving in the Audi A8 is a smooth, relaxing experience. The steering is sharp without feeling racy and passengers are likely to find it luxurious rather than thrilling. All models have Quattro four-wheel-drive tech, so it’s very manoeuvrable for such a large vehicle. This makes parking easy, and rear cameras and sensors mean getting into a tight space is nothing to worry about. Air suspension gives passengers a super comfy ride at high speeds, though some may find the ride a little too firm on slower roads. The A8 is stable and grippy at all speeds, meaning you can drive with confidence.

Safety and reliability of the Audi A8

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

Although the A8 doesn’t have a Euro NCAP safety rating (very expensive cars often don’t), it’s made to all the same high standards as other modern super-safe Audis. You’ll find a wealth of top-class modern safety kit including AEB, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warnings. Six airbags are installed, along with pre-collision sensing and other crash mitigation technology. The A8 also meets the bar for the brand’s good reputation for build quality and reliability.

Under the bonnet of the Audi A8

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

Pre-2018 iterations of the A8 are available in 3.0-litre and 4.2-litre TDI diesel models, with 258 bhp and 380 bhp respectively. The smaller of these engines nails 0-60 mph in a very respectable 5.9 seconds, while the more powerful model puts some sports cars to shame doing the same job in just 4.7 seconds. More recent versions all have a 3.0-litre V6 engine, with the diesel TDI hitting 282 bhp and completing the 0-60 sprint in 5.9 seconds. The petrol TFSI offers a more powerful 335 bhp and a slightly faster 5.6 seconds. If that’s still not enough, the petrol plug-in hybrid TFSI e model adds in a 14 kWh battery, taking the engine up to 443 bhp and delivering a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds.

What you'll find in the Audi A8

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Handsome and well-proportioned, the A8 takes many of its design cues from the rest of the Audi range. This gives it a sleek yet understated look compared to many rival premium limousines. At 5.17m long, 2.13m wide and 1.4m high, its presence is certainly hard to miss. For an even longer wheelbase, opt for the A8 L and you’ll get 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, though the fancy Vorsprung trim upgrades these to a whopping 21-inch diameter and Black Edition adds a titanium finish.

Comfort and interiors in the Audi A8

Our Comfort Rating9 / 10

Inside, the A8 is classy, with minimalist styling and an opulent yet business-like feel. All versions have plenty of room to stretch out in, as well as great cabin storage. The A8 L increases legroom further and adds heated rear seats as standard. Professional passengers will appreciate the rear folding tables as they’re great for laptops. Opt for the Chauffeur package to trade the rear bench for two individual rear chairs. There’s plenty of boot space for luggage or golf bags, but the design is with luxury travel in mind, so the rear seats don’t fold.

What features you'll find in the Audi A8

Our Features Rating10 / 10

Strap in – there are a lot of features. On pre-2018 A8s you’ll find electric leather seats, keyless start, climate control, Bluetooth, and HDD satellite navigation among other gadgets. Upgrade to a Sport trim and you’ll get 14-speaker surround sound too. More recent models have touchscreen displays throughout, including for Audi’s Virtual Cockpit infotainment and navigation centre, as well as for the individual rear-seat controls. Reach into the glove compartment and you’ll find it’s kept chilled. New buyers can also add a larger cool box, air-quality technology, a panoramic glass roof and a top-class 23-speaker sound system.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Audi A8

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

If you’re driving a hybrid A8 TFSI e, you’ll find you can get around 29 miles without even turning the petrol engine on. For longer trips, the rated fuel efficiency is a whopping 113 mpg, with carbon dioxide emissions at around 58-65 g/km. The most modern petrol-only TSFI isn’t quite as good, doing 29 mpg (or 28 with the larger 21-inch rims) and emitting 217-232 g/km of carbon. The diesel TDI version improves on that slightly with figures of 41 mpg (38 on the bigger wheels) and 181-197 g/km.

Running costs of the Audi A8

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

As is common for a large luxury saloon, the A8 sits in insurance groups 43-50. Exactly which one it falls into depends on age, power and trim level. The majority of models can get their servicing on a fixed-price package from Audi, helping to lower the not insignificant costs of keeping it in top condition. New models will depreciate quickly in their first few years, making it an attractive second-hand buy.

Our verdict of the Audi A8

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

With handsome styling and a top-class interior, the Audi A8 is a luxury limousine that's been optimised for an incredible passenger experience.

Audi A8 Review