Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 Audi A8L 60 TFSI e Quattro Sport
Price: £118,575 (as tested)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged petrol and electric motor
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Battery: 17.9kWh
Power: 462hp
Torque: 700Nm
Emissions: 43g/km
Economy: 148.7mpg
Range: 37 miles
0-62mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Boot space: 390 litres
Styling
The new A8 is almost identical to its predecessor. So much so we had to check we uploaded the right image to the website. There are one or two surefire methods of discerning one from the other, but they aren't immediately obvious. Even Audi says new wheel designs and fresh paint colours are among the biggest changes for the new A8. But the main differences are found at the front, where you'll find a new grille and new headlights. There are new tail lights, too. Has it made a difference? No. Is that a problem? No. The A8 is handsome enough, in a Teutonic sort of way. It's certainly less divisive than the latest BMW 7 Series.
Interior
If you thought spotting the differences between the old and new cars was tough from the outside, you're in for a tricky time inside. Sit in the driving seat and you'll notice pretty much nothing has changed. You still get the same chunky design, with two central touchscreens and Audi's brilliant Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment is generally good, although we'd rather Audi had left the climate control panel as a bank of physical switches, rather than a touchscreen display. That said, the quality overall is superb, and it even makes the ultra-luxurious BMW 7 Series look a bit humble. Every button, every panel and every piece of trim feels perfectly engineered.
Practicality
The A8 is available in a choice of two different lengths, and this longer L version is naturally very roomy inside. There’s plenty of space for those in the back to stretch out, and although headroom isn’t brilliant back there, the reclining seats help to ensure it’s a comfortable place to sit. But because all the space has been swallowed by that extra legroom, even this version of the A8 doesn’t have an especially massive boot. That’s partly because it’s a hybrid, which means the competitive, but not extraordinary 505-litre luggage bay seen on most A8s shrinks to a measly 390 litres – just nine litres more than a VW Golf hatchback.
Performance
The A8 is available with a selection of big petrol and diesel engines, but many will be drawn to the plug-in hybrid option tested here. Promising impressive economy, ample power and strong refinement, it sounds great on paper. But while 462hp and an all-electric range of over 30 miles will be useful to some, those who almost exclusively drive long distances will be better served by a 3.0-litre diesel engine. And those who want performance will prefer the V8-powered S8. But if you can charge regularly and most of your journeys are short, the 60 TFSIe will reward you with refinement at all speeds, reasonable electric range and a nice V6 woofle when the petrol engine girds its loins. For urban chauffeuring, it's the A8 of choice.
Ride & Handling
The A8 is all about comfort, and it’s no surprise to find some long-distance talent in the car’s chassis. On a motorway, the A8 rides beautifully, while the impressive soundproofing and soft seats ensure you remain comfortable even on very long journeys. Around town, though, some bumps will make their presence felt, and the A8 begins to feel more like an oversized A4 – a car that can’t live with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class when it comes to comfort. That said, the A8 is better to drive than the S-Class, with slightly more body control and a little more verve in the steering. It isn’t a driver’s car per se, and the BMW 7 Series remains more engaging, but it isn’t bad for something so wafty.
Value
A8 prices start at around £75,000, but hybrid A8L models come in at more than £91,000. Add a few options and they start getting very expensive very quickly, with our test car costing more than £118,000, despite only being a 'basic' Sport model. But then the new plug-in 7 Series costs £117,555 before options, so in that context the A8 looks quite cheap.
And standard equipment is fairly generous, with 20-inch alloys, leather upholstery and metallic paint all included alongside the touchscreens and digital instrument display. There are plenty of options, though, including the Rear Comfort Pack with screens for rear-seat passengers and the Comfort and Sound Pack with a Bang and Olufsen sound system.
Verdict
Viewed in isolation, the A8 is very good indeed. The TFSIe plug-in hybrid system works very well and offers plenty of refinement, while build quality is excellent. The technology is mostly very impressive, and the equipment on offer is exactly what you'd expect from a car in this class.
The A8's problem is the quality of its competitors. The BMW 7 Series remains better to drive and the S-Class is still more comfortable, so it's left in a kind of no-man's land. If you're planning on driving, opt for the BMW, but if you have someone else to do that kind of thing, go for the Mercedes. Yet if neither of those cars tickle your fancy for any reason, the A8 is a worthy alternative.
