2018 Audi A8 Review

The Audi A8, now in its sixth year of production, keeps up the fight against the gaudy standards set by other automakers in the full-sized luxury sedan market, by offering an ultra-luxurious driving experience that is wrapped up in a conservative package that doesn't scream money in an insecure way. The A8 gets the basics right, but it shows its age in the tech and features department where items such as Audi's virtual cockpit control and Apple CarPlay are not yet available. This could be considered a major setback for the A8, a vehicle that competes in a class where carmakers test their most advanced tech features for a demanding audience with money to spend. Still, the two engine choices for the A8 both produce enough power to get the barge-like A8 moving with the finesse of a much smaller car. Despite the lack of tech features, the A8 still excels in terms of driving pleasure, responsive steering and standard-all-wheel drive handling that is among the best in this class. It remains one of the most accomplished personal limousines on U.S. roads in 2018.

What's the Price of the 2018 Audi A8?

The 2018 Audi A8 has an MSRP of $82,500 for the 3.0-liter V6, while the V8 model is priced at $92,000. The comparable 2018 Cadillac CT6 Sedan in higher-end, all-wheel-drive V6 guise goes for $84,295, and the turbocharged V8 BMW 750i retails for $99,400, making the A8 look even more attractive. These prices exclude licensing, registration and a $975 destination charge. Dealerships set prices, so if you hunt around, you might score a good deal, especially now that the current model is due for replacement soon.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Audi has a knack for making larger and heavier cars handle like small ones. This is evident in the A5 coupe and their range of Q-vehicles. The A8 can't shake the fact that it's a very large car, but Audi has managed to work some kind of magic because the A8 drives like many of its much smaller, more nimble counterparts. Even when driving at a hurried pace, the A8 feels composed and responsive to steering inputs, thanks to its quattro system and well-sorted suspension setup.

The big Audi will take a few sharp corners at speed without breaking a sweat, but you'll always be made aware of the extra weight you're carrying around with some body shift. The A8 is happiest when cruising along at motorway speeds, or rolling through city traffic. Ride comfort is superb, although steering feel and feedback are sacrificed to an extent. Audi's drive select system allows the driver to alter the A8's engine response, steering feel and suspension stiffness; the pre-programmed comfort, auto, and dynamic modes give you a set of driving experiences ranging from sedate to beastly, and the self customizable individual mode gives you the tools to configure your own driving experience.

Getting the A8 to a halt is a drama-free experience as well, and the sixty-to-zero stopping distance is noted at 114 feet, which is quite standard for this segment.

Verdict: Is the 2018 Audi A8 A Good car?

The 2018 Audi A8 is an accomplished luxury sedan, despite its age disadvantage. It still manages to look good at over six years old, but opinions will be split on its conservative outward appearance that doesn't always match up to the contemporary look of more modern rivals. Inside, the A8 offers class-competitive space and class-leading levels of comfort. In typical Audi fashion, no expense has been spared in the fit and finish of the interior. Plush leather, aluminum, and wood are generously used throughout the A8's cabin, creating a sense of exclusivity and serenity - an ideal space for long trips or braving harsh traffic conditions. The infotainment system is outdated, to be fair, but it is user-friendly and responsive. The sound system, even at a base level, sounds great too. When it comes to driving comfort, the A8 feels like it drives on clouds; even though it can handle a few bends, it's more at home on the highway or cruising in the city where it can cushion occupants from noisy traffic. The A8 is powered by two excellent engine options that return fuel consumption numbers comparable to the rest of the class. It might be aging in certain areas, but for pure comfort and driving pleasure, the A8 is hard to beat.

What Audi A8 Model Should I Buy?

In this price bracket, potential buyers can be less sensitive to fluctuations in prices. Despite that, the A8's near $10,000 price gap between the base model and top of the line V8 is still a bitter pill to swallow. The V6 does a fine job of being a low-key luxury transporter, and for those sitting in the back seat, the difference between the two trims will be almost imperceptible - except, of course, if you are benefitting from the massage-enabled seats of the Executive Plus package. Still, for that extra $10k, you do get a lot more. Firstly, the turbocharged V8 puts the A8 in a completely different performance bracket and will keep you smiling without breaking the bank at the gas station (at least not that much more than the V6). The interior also sees some major upgrades in the form of a head-up display, an upgraded sound system and seats that can massage the stresses of corporate life right out of your lower back. All in all, the V8 offers the best bang for your buck.

2018 Audi A8 Comparisons

2018 Audi A8 vs BMW 7 Series

The 2018 BMW 7 Series has two models, namely the 740i xDrive and 750i xDrive, that are comparable to the 2018 A8 due to an all-wheel-drive drivetrain and similar powerplant configuration. The 740i xDrive has an MSRP of $86,100, which is $3,600 more than the base A8; the 750i xDrive will cost you $7,400 more than the V8 Audi. The BMW boasts a fresher design which is evident in its sporty and modern exterior styling, but also in terms of the cabin, where safety and infotainment tech is far superior to that of the Audi. The BMW has considerably more cargo space, but both cars offer equally spacious seating for passengers. Fuel consumption figures are comparable. The BMW offers better road feel and is the better driving car, but the Audi is better at low-speed cruising and has lower noise levels. Although the Audi is a better value-for-money choice, we would wait for the updated version as the redesign may bring the A8 even closer to the top of its class.

2018 Audi A8 vs Cadillac CT6 Sedan

The Cadillac CT6 is not a traditional competitor to the A8, but on paper, it starts to make a lot of sense why these two cars should be compared. The CT6 is very close in size to the A8 but weighs a considerable amount less than its German counterpart. The CT6 can also be matched up in terms of powertrains: both the A8 and CT6 drive all four wheels (the CT6 also comes in a rear-wheel-drive variant) and both have a lower-powered V6 engine choice. The Cadillac engine is a naturally aspirated V6 that produces more power, but less torque than Audi's supercharged V6. The Caddy's turbocharged V6 is less powerful than Audi's V8 but has to pull less weight - the result is that gas mileage is better on the turbo six than Audi's V8. The Audi does feel more premium and offers a more comfortable experience, but if the price is the deciding factor, the Cadillac deserves a second look, with more than $4,000 separating the two in their most premium guises.