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Expert Rating

Audi A8

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Audi A8

(2018 – present)

    Summary


    The Audi A8 is a large luxury saloon, sitting above the smaller A6, A4 and A3 saloon models in the Audi range. The current model is the fifth generation Audi flagship saloon, and the fourth to carry the A8 name.

    The latest Audi A8 arrived in the UK in Winter 2021, initially with a choice of petrol or diesel engines and more recently with a plug-in hybrid option. It’s a relatively subtle update, bringing more chrome, more LED lights and more technology to the existing car.

    There also is a high-performance model called the S8, which joined the range several months after the lower-level models were launched.

    The A8 has received almost unanimously positive reviews from the UK media, with many titles placing it equal to or even above the traditional class leader, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. However, since then an all-new S-Class has hit UK streets, with an Expert Rating score that sits comfortably above the A8 or anything else in its class.

    The Audi A8 has been praised for its overall comfort and technology, even compared to the lofty standards of the luxury saloon market, as well as its driving dynamics. However, several reports have suggested that it’s not as comfortable in the back seats – which is where many owners will likely be sitting – as the Mercedes.

    As of September 2023, the Audi A8 holds an Expert Rating of 76% based on 44 reviews.

    Audi A8 highlights

    • Super comfortable and refined
    • Standard mild hybrid engines
    • Chock-full of advanced technology
    • Choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid

    Audi A8 lowlights

    • Driving dynamics not as good as a BMW 7 Series
    • Plug-in hybrid batteries compromise boot space
    • Rear seats not as comfy as a Mercedes S-Class
    • All-new S-Class has moved the goalposts

    Key specifications


    Body style: Large saloon
    Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
    Price: From £75,035 on-road

    Launched: Autumn 2017
    Last updated: Spring 2020
    Last updated: Spring 2022


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

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    Company Car Today

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    Daily Mail

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    Eurekar

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    Evo

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    Fleetworld

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Motoring Research

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    Parkers

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    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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    Safety rating


    No safety rating

    The Audi A8 was not crash tested by Euro NCAP when it was launched in 2018 and we are not expecting it to happen during the rest of its model life. If it does, we will update this section accordingly.

    Eco rating


    No eco rating

    As of September 2023, the Audi A8 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. If the A8 is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    No reliability rating

    As of September 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Audi A8 to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the A8, we’ll publish the score here.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models29 mpgE24 – 31 mpgE – E
    Diesel models39 mpgD38 – 41 mpgD – D
    Plug-in hybrid models151 mpgA109 – 157 mpgA – A
    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models225 g/kmD206 – 265 g/kmD – D
    Diesel models190 g/kmC180 – 197 g/kmC – D
    Plug-in hybrid models43 g/kmA40 – 60 g/kmA – A
    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    Plug-in hybrid models37 milesD29 – 38 milesD – E
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models49E44 – 50D – F
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£396C
    Year 2£963C
    Year 3£1,555D
    Year 4£1,818D
    Year 5£2,387C
    Overall£7,119D

    Running costs for the Audi A8 range are quite expensive, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

    Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models and not much better for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 151 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…

    The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is rather poor when compared to most rivals, with about 37 miles in real-world electric-only driving.

    Compared to the rest of the large saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Audi A8 has received

    2021

    • What Car? Awards – Best Luxury Car for Performance (S8)

    2020

    • Fleet World Awards – Best Fleet Luxury Car

    2019

    • What Car? Awards – Best Luxury Car over £60K
    • Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Luxury Car

    2018

    • World Car of the Year Awards – World Luxury Car
    • What Car? Awards – Best Luxury Car, £50K – £100K

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Audi A8, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Bentley Flying Spur | BMW 7 Series | Lexus LS | Maserati Quattroporte | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Rolls-Royce Ghost

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    The Audi A8 saloon has received many positive reviews for its comfort and advanced technology, and is a suitable flagship for the Audi range.Audi A8