2020 Audi S8 Review

　　

2020 Audi S8 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Audi redesigned its A8 large luxury sedan last year, fitting it with the latest technology and safety features. But the A8, at least in its standard V6 form, doesn't provide the same kind of driving thrills that put class leaders over the top. The 2020 Audi S8 aims to dial in a bit more fun, starting with a stout turbocharged V8 engine.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$277/mo  for S8 Base

　　S8 Base

　　4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $129,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　While the standard A8 is available with a turbocharged V8, its 453-horsepower output is no match for the S8's 563 hp. According to Audi, it takes the A8 4.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph with this engine. Selecting the S8 reduces the sprint time to just 3.8 seconds. The S8 receives other performance upgrades, including standard all-wheel steering and a road-reading suspension, plus a sport differential not offered on the A8 at all. Inside, the S8 is equipped with features that are optional on other A8s.

　　The 2020 Audi S8 should satisfy your needs if you're in the market for a high-tech executive sedan with a little more pep than the A8.

　　

Which S8 does zzdcar recommend?

There's only one S8 trim, so picking an S8 largely comes down to selecting how many option packages you'd like. Considering the S8's flagship status, we think the Executive and Driver Assistance packages are must-haves — the former adds blind-spot monitoring and the latter adds advanced driving aids. If you want a four-door that treats rear passengers to amenities enjoyed by front-seat occupants, the Rear Seat Comfort or Executive Rear Seat package will do the trick.

　　

2020 Audi S8 models

The 2020 Audi S8 is a performance version of the A8 large luxury sedan. It uses a more powerful version of the A8's turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and produces 563 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque in the S8. It also has a 48-volt mild hybrid system that can help improve acceleration and fuel economy. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard. The S8 comes in a single trim level, with standard features that include:

　　20-inch wheels Adaptive suspension dampers with road-sensing (uses a camera to scan the road ahead and prepare the adaptive suspension dampers for upcoming ruts and bumps) Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Panoramic sunroof Hands-free trunk opener Auto-dimming rearview and exterior mirrors Faux suede headliner Carbon-fiber trim Heated steering wheel Four-zone climate controlTechnology features for the S8 include:

　　Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Configurable ambient lighting Heated and ventilated front seats with massage Navigation system 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system Satellite radio Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto Wireless charging padThe S8 also includes a handful of advanced safety features. These include:

　　360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the S8 for tight parking situations) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)Though the S8 is well-equipped right out of the gate, quite a few feature packages and stand-alone options are available. Optional extras include:

　　Executive package LED and laser headlights Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse) Cold Weather package Heated rear outboard seats Heated armrests Rear Seat Comfort package Cold Weather package Rear outboard seats with lumbar adjustment, memory, ventilation and massage Executive Rear Seat package Rear Seat Comfort package Four-seat configuration Footrest for rear passenger-side seat Rear center console with foldout tables Rear Seat Connectivity package Dual rear tablets DVD player Rear power outlet Driver Assistance package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S8 and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Black Optic package Black-painted wheels Summer performance tires Black exterior trim Stand-alone options include:

　　21-inch wheels with summer performance tires Carbon-ceramic brakes Extended leather trim Night-vision function 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system

　　

2020 S8 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$129,500
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$277/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles