2012 Audi A8 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$78,750 to $133,500

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.8

avg user rating

(9 reviews)
2012 Audi A8 Preview summaryImage

The Audi A8, already held in high regard as the automaker’s flagship in the full-size luxury sedan world, steps up its game even further for 2012. Performance, class and technological advances have been just a few of the vehicle’s trademarks in recent years, and Audi keeps marching forward with the 2012 Audi A8.

Audi pairs up performance and pampering just about as well as anybody in the game with the 2012 Audi A8, the experts note. They cite its acceleration and the comfortable ride it delivers, for either a jaunt around town or a cross-country cruise, and note that despite being a bit on the heavy side (even with an all-aluminum frame it pushes 4,500 pounds), it’s a fun car to drive.

Experts approve of the vehicle’s ability, helped by Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, to handle curvy roadways.

Fun to drive, fun to be driven around in. Heck, one reviewer points out that the individual seats in the rear of the 2012 Audi A8 L especially are so roomy and plush – options for the right-side seat include a footrest, while the lucky person on the left gets massage and recline functions – that both seats up front may end up going to the folks who draw the short straws. The A8, it seems, may singlehandedly eliminate the fight over riding shotgun.

Audi offers the A8 in three trims, the A8 Base, L and L W12. The Base and L are powered by a direct-injection 4.2-liter V8 that makes 372 horsepower with 328 lb-ft of torque and is good for 17 mpg city/27 highway. The W12 gets a 6.3-liter 12-cylinder engine, also with direct injection, at 500 hp. The A8 L rates 16/23 with the W12. The A8 L versions have an extended wheelbase that's 5 inches longer than the regular A8's. All come with an 8-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission.

Reviewers appreciate the classy yet understated looks of the 2012 Audi A8, but the high-tech goodies the manufacturer loads into the vehicle are the real eye and attention grabbers. The A8 L comes with heated front seats, powered everything and a navigation system. The navigation and sound systems can be controlled by voice commands or a touchpad, much like that of a laptop computer.

Audi sends the A8 out with a perfectly fine Bose sound system with an MP3 player, 6-CD changer and 12 speakers, but stereo aficionados can also opt for a Bang & Olufsen surround sound setup with a 1,400-watt amplifier and 19 speakers. A solar-panel sunroof, dual-pane security glass, ventilated and massaging seats, and a rear seat entertainment center with a pair of 10-inch screens and individual audio controls are among the other options.

Pampered enough? Some reviewers do think the tech attack is a bit overdone and running the ship, er, car – the 2012 Audi A8 has a shifter that is designed to simulate the throttle on a high-end yacht – can be almost overwhelming.

Audi long has scored well in crash tests and continues to address safety with the 2012 A8. It comes with 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, brake assist, traction and stability control, an in-trunk emergency release and a full array of airbags.

A. Lessels
Published May 31, 2022 by A. Lessels

User reviews for 2012 Audi A8

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User rating:
by Desmond H
Jun 13, 2024
Overall, great car great ride, quick ,very good on the highway. Very good Highway gas mileage, great for long trips.Jun 13, 2024
by Anonymous
Nov 27, 2023
Drives like new! and the interior for an 11 year old car is still impeccable!Nov 27, 2023
by keith m
Jul 05, 2021
great looking car..different , stylish, up to date for the 21st centuryJul 05, 2021

2012 Audi A8 Pricing

Original MSRP
$78,750 to $133,500
Price range
$12,432 to $12,863
Average price on CG
$12,432
YoY price change
$12,863 to $12,432

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Dual rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · CD changer: 6 · Hard Drive: 40GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · Premium Brand: Bose · HD radio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Remote control: audio and video · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 630 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brake width: 1.34 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brake width: 0.87 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Interior accents: wood · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power activated trunk/hatch: open and close · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 18

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.20 · Locking differential: rear

Engine

Alternator: 140 amps

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Front bumper color: body-color · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: silver

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video monitor size: 10.4

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning

Lights

Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 18

Rear Seats

Heated: multi-level heating · Type: 40-20-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: power glass · Sunroof: solar panel

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front and rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather · Ventilated: front

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim type: aluminum alloy

Steering

Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Diameter: 20 · Profile: 40 · Type: summer performance · Width: 265

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: multi-spoke

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · CD changer: 6 · Hard Drive: 40GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Remote control: audio and video · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 630 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Beverage cooler: cooled storage compartment · Center console trim: alloy · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Interior accents: wood · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: with lighting · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: cargo net · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 18

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.20 · Locking differential: rear

Engine

Alternator: 140 amps

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Front bumper color: body-color · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: metallic · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: silver

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video monitor location: front · Video monitor size: 10.4

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 18

Rear Seats

Heated: second row · Type: 40-20-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: power glass · Sunroof: solar panel

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat: built-in · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat adjustments: lumbar · Upholstery: premium leather · Ventilated: rear

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim type: aluminum alloy

Steering

Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Diameter: 20 · Profile: 40 · Type: summer performance · Width: 265

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: multi-spoke

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · CD changer: 6 · Hard Drive: 40GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: separate rear audio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 630 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: with lighting · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Sunshade: rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 22

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.20 · Locking differential: front

Engine

Alternator: 190 amps

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Front bumper color: body-color · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: silver

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video monitor location: rear · Video monitor size: 7 · Video system: DVD player

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning

Lights

Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power folding

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 22

Rear Seats

Type: bucket

Roof

Moonroof: power panoramic · Sunroof: solar panel

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat: ventilated · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim type: aluminum alloy

Steering

Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Diameter: 19 · Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: multi-spoke

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (3)