Audi unveiled a redesigned Audi A8 at the Guangzhou Auto Show at the end of 2021. It is an appropriate location since the A8 is an extensive limousine, and Chinese customers often have drivers. In honor of August Horch, who created Audi in 1904, there is even a Horch Edition in China. The 2022 Audi A8 and its sportier partner, the S8, came this summer with minor changes but a new and big face. American purchasers had to wait a few months and won’t receive that extra-fancy version.
With some clever design techniques, Audi has made the hood seem lower, longer, and sleeker behind its striking new face without really boosting the height of the hood. The fourth-generation Audi A8, which has been on sale since 2019, has a few updates to its essential components. While the stylistic improvements are ingenious, they are evolutionary and only apparent to ardent enthusiasts. The A8’s 335 horsepower V6 and the S8’s powerful 563 horsepower V8 are both mechanically similar.
The A8 now has an S-line package that, although slower, makes it seem much more like the S8 and two improved 10.1-inch rear entertainment displays are also now available. Although new colors, seat trims, and wheels exist, is it enough to compete with heavily upgraded rivals? The Mercedes-Benz EQS and Lucid Air debuted this year, the BMW 7 Series will go on sale shortly, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class underwent a complete makeover for 2021. The Audi is the most subdued of these large limousines, and huge luxury automobile purchasers deserve nothing less.
The A8 and S8’s performance hasn’t altered, but that isn’t always negative. The A8 lacks the pure EV desire, but its mild hybrid technology helps it accelerate while increasing the economy. The S8 continues to be a powerful, quiet vehicle that accelerates quickly without ever being intrusive and without sacrificing comfort for performance. Peak torque and horsepower are reached at 2,500 and 6,000 rpm, respectively, but the S8 is always powerful, without ever feeling strained.
Unfortunately, the long-wheelbase layout and these two powertrains are the only ones offered to Americans. Audi’s outstanding turbodiesels, plug-in hybrids, and the somewhat shorter, sportier regular-wheelbase vehicles (U.S. versions are officially the A8L) aren’t available in the U.S., much like the Horch edition. However, Audi does not scrimp on comfort. Rear passengers have more excellent legroom than in the S-Class or G90, and both front seats offer motorized lumbar and heating adjustments. Everything in the Luxury package is covered in leather, including the dashboard. There’s also a heated steering wheel and interior ambient lighting that essentially comes in every rainbow hue.
Although Audi provides a lot of safety technology, features like adaptive cruise control and a heated steering wheel still cost extra, similar to other German luxury vehicles. The A8 and S8 have spacious interiors, plentiful amenities, and unobtrusive styling, yet, as in previous years, some may find it too understated. The A8 has always been a discrete limo, and those who enjoy it like its familiarity, but it’s challenging to consider this year’s redesign genuinely “new.”
Performance: Audi A8
Under its hood is where the 2022 Audi A8 facelift has seen the least amount of power and fuel use modification. The same 3.0-liter V6 that the A8 has used for years provides 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive (AWD) with Quattro is a standard feature on both the A8 and S8.
The large A8 is decent enough in a casual manner and has a peak speed of 130 mph. It can reach 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which is a clever amalgamation of a generator and a starting motor, provides some boosting. In actual driving, it never seems like there isn’t enough power since it is robust and smooth. Additionally, it doesn’t sound much like a V6 and meets most luxury standards without ever being intrusive.
The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the powerful S8, which produces 563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission, is also unaltered. The S8 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds and reach 155 mph, which puts it on par with certain hot EVs, the current performance kings. While Mercedes-Benz and Genesis currently don’t offer true performance variants of their luxury boats, the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air are more expensive. 2023 may or may not see the return of the BMW Alpina B7.
Audi could have given Americans alternative engines, such as the 3.0-liter turbodiesel (Oh, right.) or the “other” 4.0-liter V8 with 460 horsepower. That. Forget that we brought it up. The plug-in hybrid A8 for Europe uses the same engine, producing 460 horsepower and 40 miles of electric-only driving. Sadly, at least for now, it doesn’t appear likely for American consumers.
Fuel efficiency: Audi A8
According to the EPA, the 2022 Audi A8 records city mileage of 19 mpg, highway mileage of 28 mpg, and combined mileage of 22 mpg; with a 21.7-gallon gasoline tank, it could be driven for up to 412 miles in the city, 607 miles on the highway, and 477 miles on the combined cycle.
The 7 Series’ current mpg statistics are obsolete since it is due to be replaced and will become much heavier compared to its main competitors next year. The V8 S580 performs worse than the ordinary A8, as predicted, while the Mercedes-Benz S500, with its turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six cylinder engine, is thirstier in the city and only gets 21 mpg in the town but reaches 30 mpg on the highway. The S580 can’t match the S8’s acceleration, but the S500’s 429 horsepower is more than the A8’s. In every test, the 2023 Genesis G90 performs 1 to 3 mpg less than the A8.
With its heavy focus on performance and added weight, the S8 performs substantially worse, achieving just 14 cities, 23 highways, and 17 combined mpg, much poorer than the Alpina B7 and on par with other compact supersedans like the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.
Safety and driver support technology:
The 2022 Audi A8’s pre-facelift version was purportedly Level 3 autonomous vehicle ready in 2017, but the 2022 model still isn’t, which annoys me the most. Audi started removing its possible L3 technology from the A8 in 2018 after realizing it was too far ahead of the law, and now it’s gone.
However, what irritates today’s purchasers is that although Audi provides world-class safety systems, like those found on the S-Class and 7 Series, the greatest ones come at an additional expense, even for the $118,595 S8. Automated high beams, lane departure alerts, emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, and front collision warnings are all standard. However, the Executive Package ($3,400 on the A8 and $3,800 on the S8) includes adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, junction assistance, and additional features. Genesis establishes all of this.
Although not Level 3, the adaptive cruise control system has lane-keeping, distance control, braking, and steering capabilities. Only Level 2+ systems may use it. It’s at least not trying to be something it’s not. This A8, like its predecessors, has not received a rating from the IIHS or the NHTSA, which reduces its score in our scoring methodology.
Comfort and Space
The 22-way heated and massage front seats are the star attraction, so you can immediately tell it’s exceptional. The A8 is unquestionably a pleasant vehicle to spend time inside, but everything in its class is. Although the A8 has somewhat more excellent back legroom than the S-Class and (2022) G90, none of these vehicles are stiflingly minor, and upgrading to a large SUV like the Cadillac Escalade ESV would provide you with much more space.
Oddly, Audi barely mentions the $5,900 four-seat option on its website, even though it’s available and famous, and nobody wants to sit in the middle of a vehicle like this anyway. This option includes foldout tables, a continuous center console, heated massage seats with electric adjustment, and a heated footrest.
The Executive package combines the items from the Leather package. It adds the heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, several active safety measures, and massaging of the front seats with 18 pneumatic cushions. However, no matter the driving conditions, the A8 and S8 are pretty pleasant to travel in, and the vehicle refuses to become unsteady. It’s pretty much the safest-feeling gadget that money can buy.
Infotainment: Audi A8
Although the technology in this vehicle was state-of-the-art when it was first introduced in 2017, the multimedia displays now seem a little outdated compared to the enormous curved panels that its competitors are either offering or will soon be showing. It boasts three digital portals (a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit for the driver, a 10.1-inch higher screen in the dash, and an 8.6-inch version for the temperature controls) that either manage or show everything in place of traditional continuous-style panels.
Although you may navigate the infotainment systems using voice, touch, or the scroller, repeatedly clicking to reach where you need to go might be frustrating. It requires four clicks to dim the instrument cluster lights. Switching the suspension into dynamic mode takes four clicks, and the intriguing set of turns has probably already passed by that time. This isn’t easy, but at least each command gets tactile and aural feedback, letting you know what you’ve pushed.
Along with carrying two front USB ports, inductive charging for one phone, standard Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the A8 and S8 also have these features. If you pay the membership price for Audi Connect Plus, it may even provide Wi-Fi. Rear multimedia displays, Bang & Olufsen audio (with 23 speakers and a 1,920-watt amplifier), and the four-zone temperature control system have all been upgraded.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The 2022 Audi A8 and S8 have a trunk capacity of only 13 cubic feet, which is unusual for an Audi. This is notable since Audis are often among the best in their class at this kind of thing, but this is primarily true of their more minor front-drive variants. The Lucid’s clamshell-style trunk has a capacity of 16 cubic feet compared to the Lexus LS’s 17 cubic feet and the aging BMW 7 Series up to 18, although the G90 and S-Class have less trunk room than Audi. There are several places to store little objects, including the sizable central console.
Design: Audi A8
The 2022 Audi A8 was a conventional yet stylish design when it was first released in 2017, and it still looks the same. It hasn’t aged, although it has never had very striking looks. Now, however, it seems to be an odd SUV when seen from behind, and the detailed work done to increase the hood’s apparent height makes it somewhat like a vintage Detroit land yacht.
The method to relocate the daytime running lights above the primary headlight has done its job in rejuvenating and making it seem more vertical than horizontal. It isn’t a showy beauty, and it never was. New colors and wheel styles are also available.
The ambient lighting and comfortable seats inside make the interior seem cozy and welcoming, yet it nevertheless exudes the signature Audi understatement.
Is the Audi A8 Worth it?
There are two options for purchasing this vehicle: the $118,595 S8 or the $87,595 V6 A8. You should budget for the Luxury Package and a few personalization options in all situations. The $2,100 Black Optic Plus option adds high-gloss black Audi rings to the black grille to match the black 21-inch alloy wheels and black six-piston front brake calipers, making the S8 an expensive appearance. Additionally, there is a $2,300 night vision helper and a $6,000 predictive suspension.
If we’re honest, 2022 isn’t much of a facelift, and maybe Audi is overcompensating with the 2022 Audi A8’s enormous BBQ grille. The benefit of a little makeover like this is that you are already familiar with how everything functions and feels. The drawback is that you already know how everything works and feels.
Despite the three displays becoming a touch fussy these days, it is simple to rationalize having a soft spot for the A8 since its interior does not have the atmosphere that leaves you chilly or bored. Instead of the clinical office sense you get from other limousines at this level, the inside emanates warmth and comfort, like a ski lodge.
It is clear from this alone why some people would choose this iteration of the A8, but it is also understandable why the majority will choose the S-Class. After all, compared to the A8, it is essentially brand new.
How Much Does the Audi A8 Cost to Insure?
The A8 is an expensive vehicle to purchase or insure. The average yearly premium for an A8L for a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record is $5,028, albeit this figure is based on all 50 states. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs $5,285, the BMW 750i xDrive $5,028, the Genesis G90 $3,820, and the Lexus LS $4,084.
Verdict
With a design already practically five years old, the 2022 Audi A8 and its hot-rod S8 sibling blend proven Audi engine technology and cosmetic updates (mainly plastic). A8s have constantly been evolving, but this model pushes the limits of understatement. It will be up against new EVs from Mercedes and Lucid and soon-to-be-released designs from BMW and Genesis. The comforts and conveniences abound, and the powertrains—particularly in the S8—are excellent. However, we can’t help but worry whether this year’s modest modifications will be sufficient to maintain its relevance.
