2024 Audi S8 Sedan

　　

2024 Audi S8 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　With a 563-horsepower turbo V8 engine and upgraded handling, the 2024 Audi S8 infuses Audi's flagship luxury sedan line with preening attitude and swagger. The baseline A8 sedan is a fine enough choice itself, but the S8 adds slick rear-wheel steering, high-performance tires, and a sport differential for more impressive dynamic feats. Inside, sport seats gain massage function and elegant diamond-stitched leather. Options can also turn the S8 into an executive express, with an available four-passenger configuration and business-class comfort.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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

　　$248/mo  for S8 Base

　　S8 Base

　　4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $120,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Electric 8 looms

The S8 hurtles into the fifth year of its current generation with the slimmest of changes: Now you can start the S8 from a smartphone app and also more easily access navigation and infotainment features. Minor changes are typical for a car at the S8's stage, especially given its nearly 30-year history (it debuted in 1996), but it usually means bigger change is on the way. In this case, change means bidding farewell to the S8's sonorous eight-cylinder, as Audi pivots to an all-electric future. We don't rule out the S8 hanging on one more year, but with an electric A8 on the horizon, the sizzling supersedan — capable of sprinting from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds — is taking its last laps. Enthusiasts will want to fortify their bank accounts and garages to accommodate this new collectible.

　　

Competitors to consider

There's surprisingly ample choice in the relatively rarefied air of large luxury sedans, although the air gets thinner as performance thresholds increase. The S8's nearest rivals are powerful German sleds like the 496-hp Mercedes-Benz S 580 or the BMW 760i xDrive, with its 4.4-liter turbo V8. Both deliver similarly elite performance and pampering, although the S8 is the most athletic of the bunch. An alternative, the BMW M850i Gran Coupe gains back some of the S8's handling advantage. If comfort takes priority, the Lexus LS 500 is a pillowy cloud of serenity that feels big in the corners and lacks the S8's overall power but still moves regally in a straight line. The Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera present other intriguing options.

　　

Which S8 does zzdcar recommend?

The S8 comes in just one well-stocked trim level, but there are options to further season it to taste. We'd add the Executive package for its larger wheels, stickier summer tires, and advanced driver assist features along with the Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system. Those feeling more indulgent might consider the Comfort Plus package for its upgraded LED headlights, heated rear seats and extended leather treatment, while the Rear Seat Comfort package delivers a complete VIP experience: a rear center console (reducing capacity to four passengers), folding tables, heated armrests, and power-adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats.

　　

Audi S8 models

The 2024 Audi S8 is a large luxury sport sedan that seats four or five passengers. It's powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine (563 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

　　S8

　　Comes well equipped with:

　　20-inch wheels with summer performance tires Adaptive air suspension All-wheel steering Rear sport differential Panoramic sunroof Soft-closing doors Heated, ventilated, massaging and 22-way power-adjustable sport seats Heated front armrests Leather upholstery with diamond-stitched front seats Carbon-fiber interior trim and gear shift lever Multicolor LED ambient lighting Four-zone automatic climate control Rear window sunshades 10.1-inch upper touchscreen to control maps and infotainment 8.6-inch lower touchscreen for climate control and comfort features Navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both with wireless connectivity) Audi Connect Plus app suite (remote monitoring and control, added infotainment features) Bang & Olufsen premium sound systemStandard driver assist features include:

　　Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) 360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the S8 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)The S8 also offers a few packages and stand-alone options to further personalize, including:

　　S8 Black Optic Plus package 21-inch gloss black wheels Black exterior logos, badges and mirrors Executive package 21-inch wheels Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S8 and the car in front) Lane guidance (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Intersection collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision during a left turn and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Traffic sign recognition (reads and reacts to traffic signs and posted speeds) Comfort Plus package Synthetic suede headliner Matrix-style LED headlights Heated rear outboard seats Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Rear Seat Comfort package Heated rear armrests Rear seat heating, ventilation and massage Power-adjustable rear outboard seats Rear seat remote control Leather center console with infotainment screen and folding tables (four-passenger version only)

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