Used Audi A8 cars

Gracing the UK roads since 1994, the Audi A8 was introduced as a lighter, more streamlined successor to the classic Audi V8. It has evolved over the years, becoming one of the first mass-produced cars in 1997 to have front and rear side airbags.

Four generations of the car and five facelifts have been released to date, showing the Audi A8 is an enduringly popular model. It has even spawned two model variants, catering to drivers who need a longer, more luxury ride or an even faster experience. Over the years, the A8 has picked up awards including the title of “Britain’s most secure car”.

This luxury five-seat, five-door saloon is an attractive option for those exploring similar vehicles, like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and the Jaguar XF.

Audi A8 updates and facelifts

There have been four generations of the Audi A8 and each generation has also received a facelift, tweaking various design elements. The Mk2 was released in 2002, the Mk3 was unveiled in 2009 and the fourth generation was released in 2017.

The Mk4, which is also referred to as D5, received a facelift in 2022 – giving it a new grille, upgraded rear and front bumpers and an updated wheel design. Perhaps the most notable feature of the Mk4 is the set of Digital Matrix LED headlights, which have 1.3 million micromirrors to reduce glare and more accurately spotlight the road ahead.

There are two model variants: the A8L, which has a longer wheelbase and turns the model into a limousine-length vehicle, and the S8, introduced in 1996 to appeal to performance-focused drivers.

There are three engine configurations available with a Mk4 Audi A8: a 3.0-litre V6 diesel, a 3.0-litre petrol V6 and a plug-in hybrid. Both the 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines are mild hybrids, making them more fuel efficient and quieter to drive.

Practicality and style of the car

The Audi A8 has 505 litres of boot space, with 350 litres in its plug-in hybrids. It’s a useful space for transporting everything from flatpacks to suitcases, as the boot is deep and long with a low loading lip. You can put items you always travel with, like towing ropes and emergency supplies, into the two secondary storage areas.

As a powerful car, the Audi A8 can tow braked weights of up to 2,300kg. It’s practical for drivers who regularly tow caravans, trailers and even horse boxes.

Running costs

The Audi A8 sits at the top end of the UK’s insurance groups, with all trims found between groups 44 and 50. This is slightly lower than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which sits in group 50, and is the same as the BMW 7-Series.

Road tax for the Audi A8 is £560 to £570 for the post-2018 Mk4 model. This is the same as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while the BMW 7-Series costs between £570 to £695 in annual tax for post-2018 vehicles.

How a used Audi A8 drives

All Audi A8s have Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive, which delivers strong traction and stability in all weather conditions. They're also equipped with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox as standard.

The 50 TDI, which is the badge name of the 3.0-litre V6 diesel, produces 282bhp and delivers 600Nm of torque. It's quick – getting from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 155mph. This engine delivers 38.2 – 40.9 mpg and emits 145 – 160g of CO2/km. The 55 TFSI, the 3.0-litre V6 petrol, is equipped with 335bhp and 500Nm, making it slightly quicker with a 0-62mph speed of 5.6 seconds. It achieves 28.2-29.4mpg and racks up 171 to 182g of CO2/km. Both engines have a 48-volt mild hybrid system, making starting and stopping both smooth and fuel efficient.

The Audi A8’s plug-in hybrid engine, the 60 TFSI e, pairs a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor. The result is 456bhp and 700Nm of torque, which means this car gets from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds. It emits 40 – 57g of CO2/km and achieves an outstanding 122.8 – 156.9mpg.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2017 - onwards

Features you can expect in an Audi A8

Interior

The Audi A8 features two screens in the middle of the front cabin. The upper is an infotainment screen, where you’ll find navigation, communication and entertainment options. The lower screen is for adjusting the temperature of the cabin and inputting your destination into the sat nav, which can be done via the keyboard or through voice controls. The system will respond to statements such as “I’m cold” or “I’m hungry” by adjusting the climate control or navigating you to a local restaurant. It's also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s is a digital instrument panel behind the wheel, which shows speed, revs and other useful driving information. The Audi A8 has lots of other useful standard features, including a chilled glovebox to keep drinks and snacks cool and multi-function leather steering wheel with radio control buttons.

There’s plenty of storage space inside. You’ll find door pockets that can fit big water bottles, along with cubbies and cupholders dotted around the front. In the back, there’s a central rear armrest with cup holder and storage, and useful pockets on the back of the front seats.

The seats, which are trimmed in Valcona leather, are large and comfortable for all occupants. The driver’s seat comes with electric 22-way adjustment and four-way lumbar support. Mk4 Audi A8s have a longer wheelbase than previous generations, meaning there’s plenty of legroom to allow tall adults to travel comfortably in the back.

Technology

There are lots of useful technology features in the Audi A8, such as a head-up display that makes controlling navigation and entertainment easier. It comes with Audi’s autonomous Parking System Plus, which means your A8 can parallel park and drive or reverse into a bay for you. If you prefer doing things manually, the front and rear sensors will help prevent bumps and collisions.

Other features improve the driving experience, such as the traffic sign recognition feature that helps you keep to speed limits.

Safety

Although industry experts Euro NCAP have not tested the Audi A8, other Audi saloons, such as the Audi A4 Saloon, and SUVs such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, have received the full five-star rating. There are two ISOFIX child seat points as standard, with the option to add a third to the rear seats – making the A8 well suited to families. There are airbags to protect occupants from front and side collisions.

The Audi A8 comes with an array of safety technology. Audi pre-sense detects crashes and takes steps to keep you and other road users safe, like tightening your seat belt, closing windows to keep debris out and automatically activating your warning lights.

There is a tyre pressure warning light, allowing you to proactively keep your tyres at a safe, optimal pressure, and emergency assist to keep you safe if you fall ill at the wheel. Some A8s come with the optional City Assist Pack, which adds functionality like cross-traffic assist to detect cars and pedestrians crossing your path.

Trims available on the Audi A8

Audi A8 Sport

As standard, the Sport trim sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and has air suspension for a comfortable, cushioned ride. Use the Drive Select function to pick an appropriate driving mode for the conditions, which are comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual. The Sport also has a powered tailgate and soft-close doors.

When it comes to the interior, the Sport’s Valcona leather seats have a premium look and, in the front, have both heating and cooling functions. There's also ambient lighting in the cabin to add an extra touch of sophistication, plus electric sun blinds to keep glare away from occupants.

Audi A8 S Line

Sitting a little higher on 20-inch alloy wheels, the S Line trim elevates the passenger experience in the Audi A8. There's privacy glass in the rear, with acoustic double glazing as standard – ideal for tired passengers or those looking to ride in discretion. You'll find sports front seats, which elevate the car’s comfort further, and piano black inlays throughout the cabin for a stylish touch.

Audi A8 Black Edition

If you’re looking for a little more style, the A8 Black Edition is a good option. In addition to 20-inch alloys in anthracite black, the exterior has black touches on the door mirror caps and the interior features black carbon fibre inlays. There are even black Audi rings on the front.

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