If you want a luxury saloon that blends limousine comfort with genuine sports car pace, the Audi S8 is hard to ignore. It’s refined and discreet, yet capable of covering ground with impressive speed.
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Overall rating 3.5/5
Running costs
Comfort
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The S8 takes the understated elegance of the A8 and adds serious muscle. Beneath its calm exterior lies a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, paired with quattro all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension. The result is a car just as happy gliding along the motorway as it is powering through a twisty B-road. Now in its fourth generation (introduced in 2019, with earlier models dating back to 1996), the S8 has evolved with more power, more comfort, and more technology at every step. Compared to rivals like the Mercedes S-Class AMG or BMW M760e, the S8 is a more discreet choice. But it offers equally serious performance with a quieter, more understated image. Today’s S8 delivers 571hp alongside adjustable comfort seats, advanced safety tech and crisp twin-screen infotainment.
Incredible comfort and speedAll-weather quattro gripDiscreet, high-quality interior
High running costsOnly available in short-wheelbase form in the UKBoot smaller than some rivalsThe Audi S8 comes loaded with advanced safety tech, including Matrix LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and Audi pre-sense collision warning. The clever air suspension can even lift the car’s side during an impact for extra protection. While not crash-tested by Euro NCAP specifically, its sibling the A8 achieved a five-star rating.
The latest S8 (2019 onwards) uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 571 hp, supported by mild-hybrid technology. It comes with an eight-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. Earlier generations featured a range of V8s, and in the mid-2000s, even a 5.2-litre V10.
Every S8 comes with Audi’s dual-screen MMI infotainment system, a Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display, built-in navigation, smartphone mirroring and wireless charging. Predictive active suspension is standard, while options when new included a head-up display and high-end Bang & Olufsen audio.
Running an S8 means embracing V8 power. Official figures show around 24-26 mpg, and it’s not unusual to see less in the real world, if you're driving fast or taking short trips. CO2 emissions are over 260g/km, so expect higher road tax and fuel bills. This is something to keep in mind if low running costs are your priority.
Given the S8’s performance and technology, look for a complete service history and check all electronics, especially the air suspension, adaptive systems and infotainment. Watch for any recalls, especially relating to suspension or gearbox leaks. For extra reassurance, consider arranging The AA Vehicle Inspection before buying.
For such a complex, powerful car, the Audi S8 offers good reliability, though expect above-average costs for servicing and consumables. Some issues reported on past models relate to suspension dampers and electronic systems. But overall, an S8 with full dealer history should offer both everyday dependability and long-distance comfort.
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