2018 Audi S8 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCarlos LagoCarlos Lago has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. Along with an extensive background in performance testing and evaluation, he has produced hundreds of car-related articles and videos.

　　

What’s new

　　Aside from small changes in option packages, the S8 is unchanged for 2018.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Few sedans are more powerful than the 2018 Audi S8. With 605 horsepower courtesy of its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and an optional 190 mph top speed, the S8 falls into an elite group. Combined with standard all-wheel drive, the resulting acceleration can make some supercars envious.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi S8 plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$255/mo  for S8 plus quattro

　　S8 plus quattro

　　plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $115,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　As preposterous as its abilities may seem, the S8 remains an understated machine. It is a flagship luxury sedan, after all, and in this role comfort is as big of a priority as performance. Like the A8 on which it's based, the S8's interior boasts extensive leather upholstery and attractive materials throughout. From its smooth-riding air suspension to its extensive number of standard features, the S8 delivers on every front.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Flagship luxury sedans are always powerful, but the 2018 Audi S8 is among the fastest. This A8-based sedan sports vastly higher performance from a 605-horsepower V8 and a sport-tuned suspension. If you're looking for autobahn-worthy capability, the S8 is your car.

　　

Trim tested

　　Although we've driven the related A8 sedan, zzdcar has not yet driven any version of this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

　　

Driving

　　Combining an absurd amount of power with the refinement one expects from an executive luxury sedan makes for a highly enjoyable, if unusual, driving experience. Whether you're cruising along on the freeway or facing a red light with an empty street ahead, the Audi S8 always delivers satisfaction.

　　

Comfort

　　The adaptive air suspension deftly balances sporty handling with a smooth ride. We also like the heated front seats that offer 22-way adjustment and massage. Rear occupants will appreciate the additional adjustment provided by four-zone climate control.

　　

Interior

　　Though its design is a few years old, the S8's interior still displays an attention to detail and cohesion in design. If a surface isn't high-quality leather or an attractive trim piece, it's probably simulated suede. And it's all customizable.

　　

Utility

　　A power, hands-free trunk makes it easy to load and unload, though the S8's 14.2 cubic-foot trunk isn't particularly generous for this class of car. The interior boasts plenty of cubbies and pockets for smaller personal items.

　　

Technology

　　The S8's MMI infotainment system is reasonably easy to use, but it's dated compared to the latest version of MMI available on other Audi vehicles. The proprietary music interface isn't nearly as versatile as having a USB port to plug in your phone. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available.

　　

Which S8 does zzdcar recommend?

　　The 2018 Audi S8 is only available in the Plus trim. As such, picking an S8 just comes down to what options you want. The Executive Plus is an obvious choice since it adds extra safety features that you'll likely appreciate having, such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning. We'd take the Dynamic package, too. It's more for the bragging rights associated with owning a sedan with a 190 mph top speed rather than any particular benefit coming from the package's carbon-ceramic brakes.

　　

2018 Audi S8 models

　　The 2018 Audi S8 is a full-size, high-performance luxury sedan that is available only in Plus trim. It employs a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (605 horsepower, 517 pound-feet of torque) that is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

　　As Audi's flagship sedan, the S8 comes well equipped with standard features, including 21-inch wheels, a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension, LED exterior lighting, a top-down parking camera system, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, a panoramic sunroof, a power trunklid and soft-close doors. Interior amenities include keyless entry and ignition, a head-up display, diamond-stitched leather seating, four-zone climate control, 22-way power-adjustable front seats (with massage, heating, and ventilation), and power rear window sunshades. The infotainment system is accessed through an 8-inch retractable center display, and it's supported by a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system. Satellite radio is included, but the S8 continues to have Audi's proprietary music interface instead of a regular USB port.

　　Last year's Cold Weather and Driver Assistance packages have been combined into the Executive Plus package, which includes lane departure warning and intervention, traffic-adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and rear-seat pass-through. The Dynamics package fits the S8 with carbon-ceramic brakes and increases the car's top-speed limiter to 190 mph.

　　Notable stand-alone options include a night-vision camera system and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The rest of the S8's packages are related to customizing the sedan's color and trim combinations.

　　

2018 S8 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$115,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$255/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles