It may not be all flash on the outside, but inside its utilitarian German exterior, the Audi A8 is all about splendor and high-end treatment. This full-size sedan puts the luxe in luxury. We spend so much time in our cars, why not enjoy the experience? Audi will take care of the expert performance and engineering.

In preparation for a redesign in 2004, there was little done to alter the 2003 Audi A8. Both the base and longer A8L trims featured the same 4.2-liter, 310-hp V8 engine and 5-speed Tiptronic clutchless auto/manual transmission. New in 2003 was a Premium Package that added A8L standard features to the base model, such as heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, 17-inch tires, tire pressure monitor, ski bag, power rear sunshade, and xenon headlights. The 5-inch longer A8L meant a little bit more head and legroom for backseat passengers, plus a few more creature comforts and conveniences, such as a navigation system and a parking alarm that alerted the driver to obstacles while backing up. A solar sunroof, which stored up energy that powered a ventilation fan while the car sat in the sun was only offered on the longer A8L.

The 2003 Audi A8 gets rave reviews from owners for its out-of-this-world comfort and luxury that you don't find standard on comparable models. The sedan is roomy enough to stretch out or conduct business (an Office package features a fold-down desk and minibar), and the instruments and controls are well-laid out. The A8 performance is first-rate, offering a smooth and quiet ride within a sturdy aluminum frame that's light enough to make the most of the V8 engine. Owners feel safe while still having fun behind the wheel. The quattro AWD feature is unsurpassed. Repair costs and frequent visits to mechanics for lots of little problems annoy Audi A8 owners. They also complain that the navi system screen is too small to be of use, and cupholders are poorly designed.