2025 Audi A8

Think of all the attributes a 2025 Audi A8 has, which add up to an impressive luxury car. For example, it has a standard air suspension, a high-quality audio system, exquisite cabin materials, soft-closing doors, and optional massaging seats. We get that Audi cars appeal to those who understand the value of understatement and restrained design. Still, we sometimes wonder if the A8 could be a bigger player in this sector if it had a bit more presence, something to make people sit up and notice.

Even so, we appreciate this is a top-notch flagship sedan. It’s made by a German company from a nation recognized as a global leader in such vehicles, yet it starts at a lower price than its compatriots. Like those cars, Audi only imports the long-wheelbase version of its A8 into the United States, hence the proper full name of A8 L.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of large luxury cars, including the Audi A8.

Some changes this year follow a 2022 update (this generation launched for 2019). A heated steering wheel becomes standard. The HomeLink remote garage door button is now integrated into the rearview mirror, and the free Audi Connect Nav trial subscription is increased from six months to three years.

On the cosmetic front, the new standard wheel is a 20-inch alloy with a 10-parallel-spoke design and a two-tone finish. The optional Black Optic package now includes a 21-inch alloy wheel with a new 5-spoke design and two-tone finish. Madeira Brown is a fresh exterior metallic paint choice.

The optional executive package gains HD Matrix-design LED headlights, heated rear seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and a head-up display. The Dynamic package receives rear-wheel steering and extra leather covering the dashboard and the doors.

Looking at the long term, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz make all-electric equivalents of their large luxury sedans, and we expect Audi to launch its model in the next year or two.

The best-selling car in this class is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and its much higher price than the A8 hasn’t deterred buyers. The BMW 7 Series is only a little more expensive than the A8. The Genesis G90 retails under the A8, while the least costly contender is the Lexus LS.

Before buying a new A8 luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are below average, yet still more robust than the BMW 7 Series. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The A8 employs a turbocharged 335-horsepower V8 with the ability to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. We recognize that drag racing is not usually within a large luxury sedan’s abilities, but couldn’t help noticing that the BMW 740i has 30 more horses and is a half-second faster. Or that the Mercedes-Benz S 500 enjoys 442 hp, hitting 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds.

The A8 has always had an aluminum-intensive construction to help keep weight in check. But there’s still quite a bit of heft, what with all the luxury, safety, and mild hybrid systems onboard. So the A8’s engine is merely adequate for motivating this full-size sedan. There is at least a pleasing flow to the ride quality and how the car moves, thanks to a comfort-tuned adaptive air suspension as standard. Many of our owner reviews praise the car’s long-haul highway prowess. On more interesting roads, we’ve found the A8’s steering responsive enough, cornering with composure. One feature we found particularly useful is the optional rear-wheel steering. In a vehicle of this size, the added maneuverability in tight spaces (like parking garages) is invaluable. Also, it enhances the A8’s agility at higher speeds.

Anyone looking for more power and poise while keeping the 4-ring badge on the nose should consider the 2025 Audi S8 (reviewed separately).

Fuel Economy

We don’t suppose fuel economy is uppermost in the minds of luxury car buyers, but some rivals are more efficient than the 2025 A8 — which achieves 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Rivals such as the BMW 740i xDrive at 27 mpg combined and the Mercedes-Benz S 500 4Matic at 24 mpg combined.

In most cars, the interesting stuff only happens up front. The Audi A8 isn’t most cars. It offers power-adjustable rear seats with heating and ventilation, plus heated armrests. This is not to say that the front seats don’t have their charms. They’re super comfortable, with standard heating, ventilation, and 22-way power adjustment. Occupants can also admire the clean and elegant design of the dashboard.

Throughout the whole wonderfully hushed cabin, we discovered genuine leather, natural wood, or real metal wherever we laid our hands. And we love the cushioning for our elbows as well. Accommodating five adults in a luxurious space is part of the A8’s reason for being, and it does this exceptionally well. At 44.3 inches, the rear legroom is massive in the real world, yet it is also typical of this large luxury sedan class. Everyone on board can enjoy the overall quality of the materials, the exemplary fit and finish, plus the standard Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Conversely, the A8’s 12.5-cubic foot trunk is among the smallest in this class. If this is an important aspect, check out the 18.2 cubic feet of the BMW 7 Series.

Although a large luxury sedan is often a way of telling the rest of the world that the owner is rich, powerful, and important, Audi has taken a different route with the A8. Its profile is much lower. We don’t think it will polarize opinions like the BMW 7 Series or announce its presence like the elegant Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It could slip past most bystanders and barely register in their consciousness. If that works for you, great.

Comfort adaptive air suspension
Monitoring road and driving conditions constantly, this standard feature not only softens for ride comfort on straight roads and stiffens when cornering, it also lowers the A8 as the speed increases to optimize aerodynamics.

Virtual Cockpit Plus
Sure, practically every luxury car has something like this now. Nevertheless, Audi blazed this trail of installing a 12.3-inch, full-color digital driver’s display taking the place of traditional dials and gauges. It’s configurable, able to show different sets of information, and we’ve found there’s not much of a learning curve.

Bang & Olufsen 3D audio
We’re always happy to see and hear a Bang & Olufsen system in a car. We love the clarity and detail. This standard setup pushes 755 watts through 17 speakers.

Wireless
Neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto require a cable. And wireless phone charging is also a standard feature. We love the convenience of it all.

Luxury package
Even though the cabin is suitably quiet for a luxury car, this options bundle includes dual-pane acoustic glass for the side windows. It also brings massaging front seats and heated armrests.

Executive package
We admit to being a little disappointed that blind-spot monitoring (known here as Audi Side Assist) isn’t standard, yet we recommend choosing this optional package to acquire said feature — along with adaptive cruise control, intersection assistance, and remote parking assistance.

Propulsion for the 2025 A8 comes from a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, making an adequate 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which goes to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Audi calls this drivetrain 55 TFSI. There’s also a 48-volt mild hybrid system on board creating a smooth engine restart function once the car is about to move off from idle.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car makers. Audi also throws in four years of roadside assistance.

Safety Ratings

The A8 hasn’t been crash-tested by any independent agencies, but this is not unusual for such high-priced, low-volume cars. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, plus lane-keeping assistance.