Audi A8 Review (2010-2017)

What is the Audi A8?

The A8 has been on sale at the top of Audi’s portfolio since way back in 1990, and was conceived as a large and luxurious, but lightweight machine. It was ahead of its time in the 1990s, being made predominantly from aluminium rather than steel, and took on the behemoths of the large luxury saloon world, the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7 Series.

This version is the third-generation A8, first unveiled at the end of 2009 and appearing in showrooms the following year. Like its rivals it aims to offer the ultimate in motoring swankiness, with all the toys and no compromises when it comes to quality. Buyers could choose from a range of diesel and petrol engines, as well as a hybrid option, and the A8 was sold in standard and long-wheelbase forms, the latter aimed at those who would be spending more time luxuriating in the back seats than up front, driving.

How practical is it?

The exterior styling is understated, which is great news if you don’t like to shout about your luxury, but bad news for those that want to stand out. Inside, there’s again no shouty, flashy design, but it reeks of class. Build quality is as good as you’ll get, with plush, top-notch materials throughout. Space is excellent in the back, although not as roomy as the S-Class or 7 Series unless you go for the long-wheelbase version. It’s hard to complain, though, as no one will be short of legroom, and you’ll get all sorts of niceties like reclining rear seats.

The boot is also large when looked at in isolation, but it is smaller than in some rivals, and you can’t fold the rear seats down for extra space, which could be annoying if you find yourself shopping for flat pack furniture.

What's it like to drive?

The driving experience of the A8 is tailored more towards confidence and comfort rather than agility and enjoyment. It handles well, staying composed and stable through the bends, but this isn’t a car that you’d buy to attack country roads. It’s more grown-up than that. It’s capable, and some models are seriously quick, but it’s not really trying to be a driver’s car, especially when compared to the Jaguar XJ. The steering feels a bit distant to really engage you, but it’s absolutely fine for cruising.

All engine choices have a decent amount of power, as befits a luxury car. At launch, the A8 was available with a 4.2-litre petrol, or a 4.2-litre TDI diesel, which is properly rapid, with a 0-62mph time of just 4.7 seconds.

A 3.0-litre diesel engine was also introduced, with 230bhp, which later rose to 254bhp. On post-2014 models, this was upped to 258bhp. This 3.0 TDI is the engine to go for, in our book: it’s the most balanced in terms of cost versus performance, and there are plenty of examples in the classifieds.

Three new engines were introduced in 2011. The 217bhp, 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) called a Multitronic, rather than a regular automatic gearbox, which won’t be to everyone’s taste, but not many were sold, so you’re unlikely to see many for sale secondhand.

Topping the range was a huge 6.0-litre W12 engine with 444bhp, as used in the Bentley range. This gave an effortless, muscular character to the car’s acceleration. At 5.2 seconds from standstill to 62mph, it’s no slouch, but with lots of low-down grunt it doesn’t need to be worked hard to whisk you along at pace.

If sporty performance is your bag then the S8 model, introduced in 2012, could appeal. It boasted a twin-turbo, 4.0-litre V8 with 513bhp. It’ll give you serious, intoxicating acceleration, but if you do big miles then prepare your wallet for monster fuel bills. Also be aware that it’s still not a properly sporty drive: if that’s what you’re after, then look at the Jag XJ.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Although a newer version of the A8 has since been introduced, this version is still a very advanced car that was at the absolute cutting edge when it was released. Later versions in particular will have most of the systems you’d expect from a brand new car today, and for considerably less money.

Trim levels moved around a bit over the years, but you’ll be broadly choosing between the SE, SE Executive and Sport Executive models, the latter of which was replaced by the Sport model in 2015.

All models featured Valcona leather upholstery, double-glazed windows for a quieter drive and LED headlight, while SE Executive added adaptive air suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, keyless entry and start and, from 2016 onwards, powered door closure and electric front seats.

Sport models had a look inspired by the performance S8 model, with a body kit and 19-inch alloy wheels as well as Matrix LED headlights, which let you keep your high beams on without dazzling oncoming traffic. It also features a 600-Watt Bose sound system.

There’s also a top-end Black Edition with 21-inch alloy wheels and a sports version of the air suspension, as well as various bits of black exterior trim.

To complicate matters, long wheelbase models and the S8 model have different equipment lists with even more kit inside. But the basic message is that there are plenty of features in just about any A8 you look at.

Audi A8 running costs

All versions of the A8 cost more than £50,000 when new, so be aware that while they’re considerably cheaper now – attractively so, in fact – they’re still high-end cars that will come with high-end maintenance bills. The A8 is sizeable, too, so fuel costs won’t be particularly cheap.

All that said, your best bet – on paper, at least – for minimal fuel bills is with the hybrid model, but only just. Audi promised around 45mpg according to official lab tests (the old NEDC standard tests, rather than more modern WLTP criteria), but as the 3.0-litre TDI diesel is just below, at around 44mpg, we wouldn’t base your buying decision solely on that. Remember that there are far more diesels on the market, and you get a bigger boot.

The 4.2 TDI will officially give you an MPG figure of around 37, while the same-sized petrol model, the 4.2 FSI, will give you around 29mpg.

Predictably, the more performance-orientated models will suffer when it comes to fuel economy. The LWB A8 W12 will return up to 25mpg officially, although you’ll be lucky to get that in the real world. The S8 promises around 28mpg.

You’ll have to pay a sizeable whack for Vehicle Excise Duty. Cars first registered after 1 April, 2017, will pay a flat rate of £475, which includes the premium for cars that cost more than £40,000 when new. Earlier cars will pay depending on CO2 emissions, and the annual cost will range between £165 to £565.

Insurance costs will be suitably premium, too, varying between insurance groups 43 to 50 of… 50.

You’ll need to service your A8 either every year and 9,300 miles or two years and 18,600 miles, depending how much you drive it. The former is aimed at those that do mostly shorter journeys, as repeated stopping and starting tends to put more strain on components. Services cycle between minor, interim and major. Cars over three years old quality for Audi’s fixed price servicing, which you can pay for upfront or monthly. A8s (apart from the W12) will cost £599 up front at the time of writing, which covers the next two services. As most A8s from this generation will be out of warranty, you may want to consider going to an independent Audi specialist, which is likely to be a bit cheaper.

Audi A8 running costs

Audi doesn’t have the greatest reputation for reliability, but that’s also true of virtually every rival premium manufacturer. The 2019 JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study put Audi third from bottom of the carmaker rankings, although it did at least beat BMW, which was last. Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz also fared pretty badly. Audi also sits low on the manufacturer rankings for older, out-of-warranty cars in Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index.

As the A8 sold in relatively small numbers compared to other Audis, it doesn’t feature in many model-specific reliability studies. That said, we haven’t heard of too many serious long-term issues.

Several owners report some electrical problems with the infotainment system and air conditioning, so check everything works and set aside some time to go through all the systems: there are a lot of them. Keep an ear out for rattles from the interior trim, though, as some owners have reported them, and they can be tricky to track down and fix.

Keep a close eye on the bodywork, too. As the A8 is made largely from aluminium rather than steel, dents can be difficult and expensive to fix.

There have been a couple of recalls on the A8, to remedy issues with a seal in the engine compartment and a leaky power steering system, as well as concerns about fuel escaping from the fuel rails, fragile sunroof glass and potential airbag and seatbelt problems. All affected cars should have been fixed by previous owners, but it’s still worth checking with an Audi dealer to see if a potential purchase is suitably problem-free.