Audi's flagship sedan, the A8 continues to impress us with its museum-quality interior and array of powerful engines. You also get indulgent passenger room and standard all-wheel drive, which makes the A8 something of bargain among top-tier luxury sedans.
What's New for 2017
Models equipped with the gasoline V6 now come standard with 20-inch wheels and sporty S-line exterior trim.
Choosing Your Audi A8
Audi discontinued the regular-length A8 last year, so every example now rides on a 122.9-inch wheelbase for outstanding rear-seat comfort. While all Audi products boast highly refined interiors, none is as opulent or serene as the A8's. Once you settle behind the wheel, there's no doubt you're driving the flagship of a luxury brand.
- The engine roster starts with a supercharged 3-liter V6 engine that produces 333 horsepower.
- Next up is a 3-liter turbodiesel V6 (TDI) with 240 horsepower, but significantly more torque. It's the efficiency champ of the line, achieving 28 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
- Also on tap is a turbocharged 4-liter V8 that lays down 435 horsepower.
- The top choice is a 500-horsepower 6.3-liter V12, the only non-turbo engine in the line.
All four engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Trim levels correspond to engine choice:
Individual options for all models include night vision, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and your choice of interior trim finishes.
All four of the A8's available engine are impressive in their own way. If you value efficiency over performance, the TDI is your ticket to happiness in a large luxury sedan. Otherwise, the powerful and well-mannered 4.0T feels about right for a car of this caliber.