2023 Audi A8 Sedan

　　

2023 Audi A8 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　, rating written byChristian WardlawSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The 2023 Audi A8 flagship luxury sedan is fresh off some updates for the 2022 model year. The automaker's top sedan rides on an extended wheelbase and uses a 335-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 that powers all four wheels through a standard all-wheel-drive system. If you prefer a sporty version of the A8, check out the Audi S8, which employs a twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi A8 L 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl 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

　　$205/mo  for A8 L

　　A8 L

　　L 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $87,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　This year, Audi adds its brilliantly shining HD Matrix LED headlights to the optional Comfort Plus package, while the Executive package now boasts an automated remote parking assistance system that works if the driver is sitting behind the steering wheel or is standing outside of the A8. Otherwise, the A8 carries on without significant changes.

　　Audi's top sedan faces fresh competition in the form of a redesigned BMW 7 Series, which is available with a wider variety of drivetrains, including an electric i7 model. Likewise, the recently redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class makes the aging Audi A8 seem outdated, and it's further available in an ultra-luxury Maybach specification. Genesis is also wading into the flagship luxury sedan pool with the all-new G90 model, and the often overlooked Lexus LS remains a potential alternative to the A8.

　　Though it's been just half a decade since Audi redesigned the A8, the car is already outclassed in a shrinking segment. Learn more about why we think so by reading our test team's detailed Expert Rating.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the A8 drive? At this level, a car's performance should be almost transparent and allow passengers to enjoy the experience of a true luxury car. But the A8 gets most of its athletic aptitude from optional summer performance tires instead of a more well-rounded approach. The A8 is by no means slow, but that doesn't mean it couldn't do with a little more in the power department. Unfortunately, the V8 and plug-in are no longer available. You'll have to upgrade to the sporty S8 for extra oomph under the hood.

　　The A8 also comes across as a bit numb and clumsy in aspects that you wouldn't expect it to. The brakes performed well in our panic-stop tests but were jumpy in traffic, making it hard to stop smoothly. The transmission was also slow to downshift when we wanted it to. The A8 is good overall, but there's room for improvement.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the A8? On the right road, and in the right conditions, the A8 is nearly as good as they come, offering supremely comfortable seats for all passengers. The Luxury package adds ventilation and massage for the outboard rear seats so even backseat occupants are treated to a first-class experience. 

　　But the ride quality can feel decidedly unrefined on less than perfect roads. It can be too soft over dips and crests, resulting in wallowy body motions, but then too firm over potholes and rough surfaces. Other negatives include a climate control that has to work a bit harder than it should have to in a car of this status and more road and engine noise than we'd expect.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below