2018 Audi A8 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$82,500 to $92,000

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.0

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(2 reviews)
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The 2018 Audi A8 will mark the last hurrah of this current-generation model. Sometime next year, Audi will launch an all-new A8 that will bring forth numerous changes such as self-driving technologies and a mild-hybrid system coming standard on all powertrains. But that doesn’t mean Audi won’t give the current A8 a quiet goodbye. The company is making some small changes to its flagship sedan before the new model takes its first curtain call.

The A8 has been with us since the 2011 model year, and Audi hasn’t made many changes to the exterior. Depending on who you ask, the A8 can be described as elegant or somewhat boring. The front features a large grille and a set of LED headlights. Along the side is a character line that runs the length of the vehicle and various wheel options ranging from 19 to 20 inches help give the A8 some presence on the road. An optional Black Optics package that brings blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels can now be ordered with 21-inch wheels. One item to be aware of with the 2018 A8 is that it comes only with the long wheelbase. If you want a short-wheelbase model, you’ll need to go with the high-performance S8.

Going long-wheelbase only gives the A8 a leg up on competitors when it comes to the backseat. The A8 offers ample legroom for passengers to stretch out, and headroom is quite good for even tall passengers. Passengers will find more than enough room along with 14-way power seats to find that perfect position. The base 3.0T can be equipped with an Executive Package that adds ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The 4.0T gets the option of the Executive Plus package that brings ventilated and massaging rear seats, and the ability to adjust the front passenger seat from the back seat.

Despite being one of the older flagship sedans on sale today, the A8 can still give newer models a run for their money in terms of design and materials. Unlike most Audis that have austere interiors, the A8 is very opulent with real wood inlays, leather covering a fair amount of surfaces, and a modern design that helps the A8 stand out. The only area in which the model shows its age is its infotainment system. At one time, the A8’s MMI system was considered one of the best, due to its simple interface and a logical control layout. But time has not been kind to MMI, as it trails competitors by not having a large and vibrant screen and also lacks features you would expect, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. At least the A8 does come with 4G LTE with Wi-Fi connectivity as standard.

Two engines are available for the A8. The base 3.0T is a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The 4.0T comes with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 450 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of torque. Both engines come paired with an 8-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. While most reviewers love the V8 for the immediate thrust it offers, they agree the 3.0T offers more than enough power for most drivers. EPA fuel-economy estimates stand at 19 mpg city, 29 highway, 22 combined for the 3.0T and 18/29/22 for the 4.0T.

The A8 shines in terms of handling. Despite its large dimensions and a curb weight ranging from 4,465 to 4,673 pounds, the A8 is quite agile around the corners. Some of this can be attributed to a standard air suspension that can be adjusted to minimize body roll. Steering is precise and intuitive when the vehicle is pushed through a corner. What’s more, the A8 still provides the glass-smooth ride that is expected of a flagship luxury sedan. The air suspension smooths out bumps and other road imperfections with ease.

All A8s come equipped with a full complement of airbags, antilock brakes, traction and stability control, a backup camera, and Audi pre sense, which pre-tensions the seatbelts and closes the sunroof and windows if the system detects an emergency maneuver. Optional safety equipment includes a multi-view camera system; Audi pre sense plus, which alerts the driver of a possible front impact and can intervene with maximum braking; pre sense rear, which closes the windows and pre-tensions the seatbelts if a rear-end impact is imminent; adaptive cruise control with stop and go; lane-keep assist; and automatic high beams. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have not yet crash tested the A8.

Published May 31, 2022 by William Maley

User reviews for 2018 Audi A8

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User rating:
by Ken W
Jun 07, 2022
Great car with all the executive package features I wanted. Has the luxury of the S-Class and 7 series without the flash if you want to be a bit more understated. Jun 07, 2022
by Anonymous
Feb 13, 2021
The engine is one of the best, but standard options and image quality on the screen are outdated. I have a 2018 A8 4.0 and a 2016 750xDrive. Long story short, BMW is waaaaaaay better. To the point you cant even compare these twoFeb 13, 2021

2018 Audi A8 Pricing

Original MSRP
$82,500 to $92,000
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
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YoY price change
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Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

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: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · CD changer: 6 · 20G hard drive · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · HD radio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · 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 · Electronic parking brake: auto off · 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: leather · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: grocery bag holder · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 18

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.20

Engine

Alternator: 190 amps · Battery: maintenance-free

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: soft close · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: aluminum

Headrests

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

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.3 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 18

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: anti-trapping feature

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

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

Seats

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

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 15.1

Suspension

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

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 15

Windows

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

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

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

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · CD changer: 6 · 20G hard drive · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · HD radio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · 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 · Electronic parking brake: auto off · 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: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: cargo net · Sunshade: power side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 22

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.20

Engine

Alternator: 190 amps · Battery: maintenance-free

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: sensor-activated · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: aluminum

Headrests

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

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.3 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 22

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: sliding sunshade

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

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

Seats

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

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 15.9

Suspension

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

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 5

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (2)