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Saloon
It’s a huge saloon that has much to offer anyone in search of a luxury motor that isn’t a BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar. The innovative aluminium body means it’s lighter than many rivals, helping performance and economy.
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Four-wheel drive is fitted to most, as is air suspension, offering a choice between four settings. The cabin is vast throughout, while the boot offers more than ample space. The long-wheelbase version is rare but brings even more space in the rear seats. It’s a very well-built car and the quality of the materials used matches, and sometimes beats, the competition's. Even the cheapest models drive beautifully, feeling smaller than they look, while the high-performance models are seriously quick. The diesels are state-of-the-art but the smaller petrols are accomplished, too. There simply isn't any road noise and, while you’ll hear some wind noise, it's completely silent otherwise.
Running Costs
Only the 3.0 diesel and 3.2 petrol versions keep costs at a semi-sensible level. As for the rest, they are only for the seriously wealthy. As ever on an A8, stiff depreciation is an issue, but it's good news for a used car buyer. The first owner suffers the worst hit from new, leaving the second owner to pick up a relatively cheap executive car. There's no escaping the high running costs, though. Insurance is group 18 for the smaller engines, group 20 for the rest. Be aware, though, that some companies won’t touch the car because of its aluminium body - which is complex and expensive to repair - while others will load the premium. Servicing is also best left to Audi dealers who specialise in the A8, which will make it dear. Fuel economy ranges from the excellent 32mpg from the 3.0 diesel to 28mpg for the 3.2 petrol and 4.2 diesel, and 20mpg from the 6.0.