2023 Audi S8

Overview

Few cars blend luxury and performance quite like the 2023 Audi S8, which pumps up its pace with a 563-hp twin-turbo V-8. Based on the spacious and comfortable A8 sedan, the S8 offers all the trappings of a large luxury car including available massaging seats, high-tech infotainment, and a quiet cabin lined with upscale materials. Its suspension has been tuned to provide better handling than the A8, and the S8 corners with the tenacity of a much smaller sports sedan. That sort of athleticism is a rarity in the large luxury car class where the S8’s only real rival in that regard is the similarly zesty Maserati Quattroporte. The S8’s subdued exterior design allows it to keep a low profile in traffic, which is good for avoiding unwanted attention from the highway patrol but may disappoint those who want more pizzazz.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

1

Mercedes-Benz S-class

STARTING AT: $115,650

2

Genesis G90

STARTING AT: $90,100

3

Audi A8

STARTING AT: $88,895

4

Audi S8

STARTING AT: $121,595

5

BMW 7-series

STARTING AT: $96,695

6

Lexus LS

STARTING AT: $78,035

What's New for 2023?

Ritzy-looking Valcona leather upholstery is now standard on the S8 for 2023. This treatment features a unique stitching pattern in the shape of rhombuses and covers both the seats and the door panels. Elsewhere, the optional Executive package gains a new remote-parking feature. Otherwise, the S8 carries over into 2023 unchanged.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

That six-figure starting price is steep, but the S8 comes well-equipped even by luxury car standards. We'd suggest the Comfort Plus package as it adds heated rear seats, a leather-wrapped dashboard, a head-up display, and fancier LED headlamps; the Executive package is also appealing and comes with blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, and 21-inch wheels.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The S8's sole engine choice is a potent one: a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine making 563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, and the transmission is an eight-speed automatic. Audi claims a top speed of 155 mph, and there are fuel-saving systems, too, including cylinder deactivation and a mild-hybrid setup with a small electric motor and battery. At our test track, the S8 blasted to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. An active suspension system can control each wheel individually to improve ride quality, and it is tuned differently than that of the standard A8, delivering improved cornering prowess thanks to reduced body roll. Audi also includes equipment such as a torque-vectoring rear differential and rear-wheel steering to increase agility; powerful carbon-ceramic brakes are optional.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Even though the S8 is technically a hybrid, buyers shouldn't expect Toyota Prius-level fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that the best we can expect is 22 mpg on the highway, with the city rating dropping to just 13 mpg. Ouch. We haven't had the chance to test the S8 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, but when we do, we'll update this story with results. For more information about the S8's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Fine materials line nearly every square inch of the S8's cabin, including leather upholstery, a faux-suede headliner, and a stitched leather dash cover. The front seats offer standard heating, cooling, and massage, while the rear cabin offers tons of space for passengers to stretch out. To pamper those in the back seat even more, consider the Rear Seat Comfort package, which adds power-adjustable outboard seats with heat, ventilation, and massage, plusher headrests, heated armrests, and a remote control for the car's infotainment system. Four-zone automatic climate control is standard, as is a multi-color ambient interior lighting system. The trunk is generously sized and identical to that of the A8, which proved its mettle in our testing by holding six carry-on suitcases. For comparison the Mercedes-Benz S-class held 5 and the BMW 7-series just three.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

As with the standard A8, the S8's interior is a rolling tech showpiece. Multiple touchscreens control climate, audio, navigation, and myriad connectivity functions. Audi's 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster is standard, as is a 10.1-inch upper infotainment system and an 8.6-inch lower display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot, and in-dash navigation are all standard, and occupants can charge their compatible smartphones wirelessly using the S8's charging pad. Audiophiles will be happy to find that a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen system is standard; as an option Audi will substitute a 23-speaker setup.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Audi offers several safety features as standard, but more desirable driver-assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist are optional. For more information about the S8's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Like its stablemates, the S8 is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty policy. Buyers may find more value in the BMW 7-series' or Volvo S90's three-year complimentary maintenance plans.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs