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2016 Audi A8

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Expert Rating
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Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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2016 L 3.0T 4dr All-Wheel Drive quattro LWB Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $81,500
2016 L 3.0 TDI 4dr All-Wheel Drive quattro LWB Sedan Price:   -  From $85,200
2016 L 4.0T Sport 4dr All-Wheel Drive quattro LWB Sedan Price:   -  From $90,500
2016 L W12 6.3 4dr All-Wheel Drive quattro LWB Sedan Price:   -  From $137,900

Overview

At least as much as any luxury automaker, Audi emphasizes technology: specifically, its driver-assistance features. For its largest model, the A8, that list includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability, active lane assist, night vision assistant (with animal detection), and secondary collision assist. A head-up display shows vehicle speed, navigation, and adaptive cruise control functions.

Imposing in appearance, an Audi A8 approaches the aura of the limousines of old.

What's New for 2016

Biggest news for 2016 is the A8 Sport, which puts Audi’s previous 4.0T into what the German automaker calls a “more athletic” package, featuring new sport-style exterior accents. Up front, revised bumpers hold sport air intakes in the lower section. The rear end gets an updated bumper and diffuser. Sport side sills also are included. Inside, the available Design Selection seating surfaces come in Vermont Brown leather and fine-grain ash wood inlays.

Audi A8

Choosing Your Audi A8

Facelifted for 2015, all A8 sedans are on Audi’s long-wheelbase platform for 2016. Only the high-performance S8 (listed separately) retains the shorter wheelbase. Each Audi A8 sedan has quattro all-wheel drive.

Models are differentiated by engine, and buyers get four choices: a 3-liter V6 (gas or diesel), 4-liter V8, or 6.3-liter W12. All versions have Audi’s Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is estimated at 19/29 mpg (city/highway) with the gasoline V6, but the diesel 3-liter raises those figures to 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway (28 mpg combined). With the 4-liter V8, mileage dips only slightly, to 18 mpg in city driving.

Audi A8

A8L 3.0T

“Entry-level” doesn’t quite describe the base-model A8, with an MSRP in the low $80,000s. Power comes from a supercharged 3-liter engine, sending 333 horsepower to the eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The huge standard-equipment list includes a sunroof, adaptive air suspension, leather upholstery, power heated mirrors, LED headlamps, soft-close powered doors, four-zone automatic climate control, power tilt/telescope steering column, 14-speaker Bose audio, and 19-inch wheels. Also standard: Park Assist, trunk-close assist, power sunshades, and front/rear foglights.

Audi A8

A8L 3.0 TDI

Adds $3,700 to the price of a gasoline-engine A8, while boosting gas mileage considerably. The 3-liter turbocharged diesel V6 produces 240 horsepower. Standard equipment is similar to the gas-engine 3.0T. Options include Premium, Luxury, Driver Assist and Sport Packages, as well as a Rear Seat Comfort Package that adds power rear seats, and front/rear ventilated seats with a massaging feature. A panoramic sunroof, rear-seat entertainment, Night Vision Assistant, and Bang & Olufsen audio also are available.

Audi A8

A8L 4.0T Sport

New for 2016, the Sport comes with a turbocharged 4-liter V8 that generates 450 horsepower. Sport-style bumpers are installed, along with side sills and a panoramic sunroof. Premium and Luxury Packages are included, along with 20-inch wheels. An electro-mechanical steering column reduces weight. A new Dynamic Package is available, including variable-ratio dynamic steering and a sport differential. Options are similar to those for 3.0 models, including Premium, Luxury, and Driver Assist packages.

Audi A8

A8L 6.3 W12

Picking a 6.3-liter W12 (12-cylinder) sends the A8 into another league, pushing the price to a whopping $137,900. Not only is the W12 loaded to the roof with luxuries, its engine yields 500 horsepower. Standard equipment includes a panoramic roof, four-zone climate control, 22-way power front seats, power lumbar support and massaging feature, top-view monitor, Lane Change Assist, rear entertainment, and 20-inch wheels. Options include a Sport package, Driver Assist group, Night Vision Assistant, and Bang & Olufsen audio. An Executive Rear Seat Comfort Package includes a power rear passenger seat and footrest.

CarsDirect Tip

All you have to do is pick an engine. Few Audi shoppers are likely to opt for a 12-cylinder sedan, and the new A8 Sport emphasizes appearance details. Of the two V6 models, the TDI (diesel) promises effortless cruising, despite its lower horsepower rating, as well as fuel economy that reaches well past any of the other versions.

Get your price on an Audi A8 »

Read our review on the Audi A8 »

Audi A8
author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

The stately reserved style of Audi’s powerful and efficient flagship sedan favors sophistication over flash.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2016 Audi A8 L is available with your choice of three different gasoline engines and an amazingly efficient turbo diesel that can span 800 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Dropping the shorter wheelbase from the line up, the A8’s extended-length L trim is now technically the vehicle’s "base" model, although the moniker retains the L modifier. Those desiring the shorter wheelbase will need to investigate the 2016 Audi S8, although the $114,900 price tag certainly lends credence to the old saying "sometimes less is more."

  • The 3-liter supercharged V6 gasoline-powered A8 L 3.0 TFSI starts at $81,500.
  • The 3-liter turbo-diesel V6-equipped A8 L 3.0 TDI starts at $85,200.
  • Performance enthusiasts will want to peek at the 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4-liter V8 equipped A8 L 4.0 TFSI Sport. Base pricing begins at $90,500.
  • Although we will not have time to take a closer look in this brief review, the glorious 500-horsepower 12-cylinder rocket (flag) ship A8 L W12 commands $137,900.

All vehicles are equipped with an eight-speed Triptronic automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel-drive.

Performance Pros

Audi A8

Audi’s full-size flagship sedan utilizes lightweight materials, like an aluminum space frame, to shed pounds. The lost weight equates to improved acceleration and fuel economy numbers that belie the A8’s horsepower and torque ratings, especially in the V6 models.

  • The base 3-liter supercharged V6 produces 333-horsepower and 325 pound feet of torque, which enables the sedan to achieve 19 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 22mpg combined. Pedal to the floor and the A8 jumps from 0 to 60 mph in only 5.5 seconds.
  • If the power and efficiency of the gas powered 3-liter is newsworthy, Audi’s 3-liter turbo-diesel is the headliner. Sure, the diesel engine means you’re going to need almost a second longer to reach sixty miles per hour, but the 24 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined mean that you will make the time up at the fuel pump. The fuel economy of the A8 L 3.0 TDI may qualify the Audi as the thriftiest $85,200 car currently offered in the United States.
  • Enthusiasts will want to save up a little longer and invest in the brilliant new for 2016 450-horsepower Audi A8 L 4.0 TSIF Sport. Audi has yet to release the 0-to-60 figures, but based on the fact that the Sport will add 117 horsepower, I can’t help but imagine the engine will result in numbers that will complement the sportier exterior cues. Audi has released the gas mileage numbers and even with the additional power the A8 L Sport still achieves 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, exactly the same numbers as the gasoline supercharged 3-liter. Again, Audi impresses.

Thanks to the Quattro All-Wheel-Drive and Audi’s sophisticated electronic steering and suspension, the A8 exhibits road manners typically reserved for smaller purpose-built sport sedans. The A8 isn't necessarily the Audi we'd pick if we were looking for a weekend track car to take to work, but we've found that the fun-to-drive full-size sedan holds its own on winding roads and in spirited highway passing situations while making no compromises in the comfort department.

Performance Cons

There is very little not to like about the A8’s performance. If I’m going to be picky, I would mention the noisy, but fuel saving, start-stop function that makes a bit more racket that I’d like when it decides to fire the car back up at a quiet stop sign. Of course, there is an easy fix: tap the button to disengage the feature or turn up the brilliant audio system.

Premium unleaded fuel is required for the gasoline engines.

Interior Pros

Audi A8

Awash in leather and fine woods, little rivals the exquisite fit and finish of the A8’s interior. Audi has built a reputation for assembling luxurious driver-oriented interiors and the flagship A8 L is the pinnacle of them all.

  • Audi’s interior design is often praised for exhibiting thoughtful restraint, but the A8 L rocks the boat by offering over-the-top luxury. The A8 L’s opulent technology-filled interior provides Audi with a strong competitor in the full-size luxury sedan segment, holding its own against Mercedes heralded S-Class and BMW’s celebrated 7 Series.
  • The standard 14-way adjustable front seats and the outrageously spacious rear seating, thanks to the extra-long wheelbase, means that everyone travels in luxury.

Interior Cons

It is still unfashionable to live in your car, which wouldn't be all that bad if you owned the A8 L.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

It is hard to believe that a vehicle with so much acceleration-producing torque can travel 800 miles on a single tank of fuel.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The A8 doesn't come cheaply -- and depreciation can be steep.

The Bottom Line

Audi A8

Very little rivals the performance, efficiency, comfort and safety technology of Audi's flagship A8 L sedan. Whether you opt for the base supercharged V6, the turbo-diesel V6, or the 450-horsepower V8, the A8 L offers exhilarating performance and great fuel economy while making no compromises in terms of comfort or luxury.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.0L V-6 / 333 HP / 325 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 8-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Full-time Quattro All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
19 / 29 / 24 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.0L V-6 / 333 HP / 325 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Full-time Quattro All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
19 / 29 / 24 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Multi-link
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Aluminum
Fuel Tank
21.7 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$83
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
14.2 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
122 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
207.4 "
Exterior Width
76.7 "
Exterior Height
57.9 "
Front Headroom
37.2 "
Rear Headroom
39.1 "
Front Legroom
41.4 "
Rear Legroom
42.9 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
57.8 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,464 Lbs.
Wheel Base
123 "
Turning Radius
20.8 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
19.0 " Silver Aluminum / 20.0 " Silver Aluminum / 20.0 " Painted Aluminum / 21.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Heated, Power Remote Driver, Power Remote W/tilt Down Passenger
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Dual Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(12-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(12-way Power)
Front Armrests
(12-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center / Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
Bench / Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
14 Bose
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Power Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Rear Side-impact Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front And Rear
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Audi Pre Sense Basic Forward Collision Warning / Audi Pre Sense Plus Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Audi Side Assist Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Front And Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer Iii
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
12 Months / 5,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
144 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles

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