New Audi A8 - Space for progress

Overview
Audi's answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-class is the 2022 A8 sedan. It offers a spacious interior and every conceivable luxury and convenience feature, which helps justify its nearly six-figure starting price. The A8's styling is expertly rendered to look ritzy but restrained, and fans of the smaller A4 and A6 sedans will find the A8 handsome. Its cabin, however, is far more comfortable than those four doors and offers similar space and features as the S-class and the BMW 7-series, the Audi's other natural rival. Massaging seats for both front and rear passengers are available and Audi also includes a host of driver-assists as standard. Drivers looking for more oomph should consider the performance-oriented S8 model, which we review separately.

What's New for 2022?
Audi's flagship sedan receives a styling makeover for 2022 which includes a new grille, re-worked front and rear bumpers, revised exterior lighting elements, and updated wheel designs. An S line exterior appearance package is now available, too, which makes the A8 look a little bit more like the performance-oriented S8 model. Inside, new rear entertainment displays are now optional and Audi has added some new interior trim options to the spec sheet.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The base 55 TFSI comes with a turbocharged V-6 rated at 335 horsepower, and the 60 TFSI has a 453-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. Both versions use a 48-volt hybrid system. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. The plug-in hybrid 60 TFSI e combines the V-6 with an electric motor and a rear-mounted 14.1-kWh battery pack. The 2021 Audi A8 TFSI e is rated at 443 hp. So far, we've only tested the V-6 55 TFSI version, which sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds at our test track. Among six-cylinder executive sedans, that's on par with the Mercedes-Benz S450 but a few tenths off the rapid pace of the BMW 740i. The Audi's engine is smooth, but there's no fanfare to its power delivery, and sound-deadening measures are so extensive that it's practically inaudible with the windows up. The A8 offers a very Audi-like blend of athleticism and ride comfort. An adjustable air suspension and driver-adjustable adaptive dampers are standard. Optional with the V-8 is a more advanced active suspension that scans the road ahead for bumps and takes measures to compensate. With the base suspension, the Audi A8 isolates you from road irregularities but can still hammer down a back road when the mood strikes.