2025 Audi S8

Based on the excellent Audi A8 large luxury sedan, the 2025 Audi S8 brings more power and sportiness to create an intriguing package overall. Audi does great things in all its S cars, with the S8 offering high levels of luxury to accompany a wonderful level of thrust.

We think the S8’s 563 horsepower is more than plentiful for public roads, and still perfectly able to tingle the spine when the right moment comes along. It’s that thing with luxury cars where slightly too much — in terms of features, handling and muscle — is really the right amount.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury full-size sedans, including the Audi S8.

Extra standard equipment comes on board in the form of road sign recognition, extended leather, 10-spoke/21-inch alloy wheels (finished in Platinum Gray), and HomeLink garage door controls integrated into the rearview mirror. On the options list, the Executive package gains a head-up display, as well as heated and powered rear outboard seats (with lumbar adjustment and memory settings). The Luxury package receives Matrix LED rear reading lights, plus ventilated/massaging rear outboard seats, and a rear-seat remote control. The Black Optic Plus package comes with a new design for its 21-inch/7-spoke alloy wheels.

This fourth generation of S8 debuted for the 2020 model year, and received a major refresh for 2022.

Looking at rival cars, the BMW 7 Series in 760i xDrive form is priced similarly, while the Porsche Panamera GTS would be about $30,000 higher.

Before buying a new S8 luxury high-performance sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are below average for the class, yet still stronger 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.

Developing 563 horsepower from a turbocharged V8, the 2025 S8 can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. That would be considered fast in something much smaller and lighter. In this rarefied class, it remains impressive. To compare, the 536-hp BMW 760i xDrive is 0.3 of a second adrift. The 493-hp Porsche Panamera GTS does the dash in 3.6 seconds. There’s an AMG-tuned S-Class, but that’s in another league price-wise and power-wise.

Power is just one aspect of the S8, however, even though it’s a glorious one. This glowed-up version of the excellent Audi A8 also comes with a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension as standard, so the ride quality can go from buttery to beautifully precise. Factoring in the standard rear-wheel steering system, we’ve found the S8 handles like a smaller car, tackling turns in a way that makes us forget this is a large luxury sedan.

Fuel Economy

The S8 achieves 18 mpg in combined city/highway driving. For reference, the BMW 760i does slightly better with 20 mpg combined, while the Panamera GTS manages around 17 mpg combined.

For anyone who thinks they might have become a bit blasé about Audi interiors, the S8 will rekindle that love. It certainly has for us. You know all the usual descriptions: elegant, classy, high-quality. Now amplify them and that’s the S8’s cabin. Then add sportier (yet still comfortable) front seats fitted in anticipation of the car attacking every possible corner.

Following the same approach as BMW with its 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz with its S-Class, Audi brings only long-wheelbase versions of its flagship luxury sedan to the United States. This means plenty of occupant space in both rows, including an expansive 44.3 inches of rear legroom (matched by its compatriots). Buyers can also go for the full VIP treatment with seating for just two in the back, plus footrests, heating, ventilation, and massaging.

Trunk space is not so impressive. The S8’s 12.5 cubic feet is among the smallest in this class. Check out the 18.2 cubic feet of the BMW 7 Series if all your luggage really has to come with you.

We admit to a particular fondness for cars that are fantastic in many ways while not making a big show of it. With its low-profile good looks, the S8 is a perfect example. It’s not so different to the regular understated A8. We’re fans of the blacked-out grille and black-finished 21-inch alloy wheels in the optional Black Optic Plus package. If the exhaust outlets were black as well (instead of chrome), that would really complete the look.

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.

Sound
Although the S8 is still utterly convincing as a luxury car, those thrilling V8-derived growls and barks are still ready to tickle the driver’s ears. Just press that pedal on the right.

Bang & Olufsen audio
When reveling in engine noise would be anti-social, 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. Or there’s an optional 23-speaker upgrade.

Predictive active suspension
The first time we ran over some rough road using this feature, it felt uncannily like fresh tarmac. We might even have gasped. It reads the conditions ahead and adjusts the suspension to suit. This is on the options list, but we suggest at least trying it out.

Night vision
There’s fun to be had driving down an empty road at night, but wouldn’t it be awful to hit a deer? This option uses infrared technology to detect animals and humans beyond the scope of the S8’s effective headlights.

Executive package
We definitely recommend choosing this optional bundle. It includes safety features like blind-spot monitoring, intersection assistance, remote parking assistance, and a head-up display, plus powered/heated rear outboard seats.

The 2025 Audi S8 employs a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 developing a forceful 563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. This goes to a standard all-wheel-drive system through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

We have a separate review for the regular A8 large luxury sedan.

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 includes four years of roadside assistance.

Safety Ratings

The A8 (on which the S8 is based) hasn’t been crash-tested by any independent agencies, but this is not unusual for such high-priced/low-volume cars. Standard safety equipment in the 2025 S8 includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.