2021 Audi A8 Interior and Cargo

All A8 models come with Dark Brown Walnut Natural Wood trim and Dark Matte Brushed Aluminum inlays lower down in the cabin. Valetta leather covers the seats and fine Nappa leather adorns the center console and door armrests. For this year, though, the 60 TFSI has standard Valcona leather upholstery. It all feels suitably luxurious and upscale. The Valetta leather comes in Black, Saiga Beige, or Sarder Brown. For an extra cost, Valcona leather upholstery can be equipped to models that don't already have it which also adds a few more color options to the mix such as Nutmeg Brown and Pearl Beige. Two additional wood trims, Natural Fine Grain Ash Gray Brown and Natural Eucalyptus Gray Brown, are available. An Alcantara headliner can be specced as well.

For such a large sedan, the A8 is curiously lacking in terms of generous cargo space, which we noted in previous Audi A8 reviews. In the non-hybrid models, the trunk measures just 12.5 cubic feet and, in the hybrid, this shrinks to an even smaller 10.4 cubes - the latter figure is even less than you get in an Audi A5 Coupe. Considering that the BMW 7 Series offers over 18 cubes, the difference is significant. A powered trunk lid is standard, fortunately.

In the cabin, smaller items can be stashed in the central storage compartment or the glovebox, which is a good size. Door pockets are included in all four doors. For rear-seat passengers, a fold-down center armrest provides additional storage space, while the driver and front-seat passenger have access to two well-positioned cupholders.

The Audi A8 lives up to its status as the brand's flagship sedan as it ships with plenty of comfort and convenience features. Every version has 22-way power-adjustable front seats that are both heated and ventilated, while the driver gets a power-adjustable tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory. This is a car that caters to all passengers, though, with a standard four-zone automatic climate control system and power rear and rear-side window sunshades. LED ambient interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror are all standard. For 2021, the previously optional top-view camera system that offers a 360-degree virtual view is now included at no extra cost. This is in addition to other driver aids like front/rear parking sensors, cruise control, lane departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Audi pre sense basic, pre sense plus, and nine airbags provide peace of mind. A host of options can be specced such as heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, traffic sign recognition, and intersection assist.

Audi's latest MMI touch response and MMI navigation systems rely on touchscreens rather than physical controls. The setup uses a 10.1-inch upper screen and an 8.6-inch screen lower down. A third screen, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, displays even more functions. All of these screens can seem a touch overwhelming for customers coming from older models, and while it can be fiddly to operate at times, at least the displays are crystal clear, and haptic feedback improves usability. New owners should expect to spend some time studying the owner's manual to get the most out of the system. Standard features include Amazon Alexa compatibility, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports in front, HD Radio, SiriusXM with a 90-day trial subscription, and Bluetooth connectivity. For audiophiles, the A8 doesn't disappoint with its standard 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system. If that's not enough, a 23-speaker sound system can be equipped, as can dual rear tablets.