2026 Audi A8 Expert Review
Reviewed by Willis Kuelthau
The 2026 Audi A8 is getting a bit long in the tooth, but it remains a palatial cruiser that should satisfy luxury buyers. Only the long-wheelbase A8 L is available in North America, which means cabin space is plentiful (and agility somewhat compromised). Aside from a few tweaks to the options menu, the 2026 model returns unchanged.
The Audi A8 competes with full-size executive luxury sedans like the Genesis G90, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and BMW 7 Series.
What’s New
- Covered by Audi's Signature Care maintenance program for three years/30,000 miles
- Daytona Gray paint option
- Luxury and Executive packages consolidated to a single bundle
What We Think
Unlike some cars in this segment, the 2026 Audi A8 prefers not to show off. It's the epitome of quiet luxury: elegant and understated.
Instead, the A8 saves its most luxurious touches for the interior. The cabin is spacious, beautifully upholstered, and serenely quiet. The air suspension smooths out every bump and pothole without so much as a whisper.
The second row has room for even the tallest passengers to stretch their legs, and it can be upgraded with massage-capable seats and heated armrests.
Although performance is not the A8’s top priority, it’s a competent driver. The 335-hp engine does an admirable job motivating the car’s considerable weight, and the steering is nicely weighted (if a bit numb).
Carving corners isn’t the A8’s favorite hobby—for that, look to the more powerful S8 (or even better, the brilliant RS7). As one editor put it during Car of the Year testing, the A8 is a car “to be enjoyed and experienced, not hustled.”
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The 2026 A8’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 makes a healthy 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. That’s a bit low for the class, but the A8 never feels slow. All-wheel drive comes standard, as does an eight-speed automatic transmission.
In our testing, the A8 took 5.4 seconds to reach 60 mph. Despite the A8 being down on power, that’s the exact same figure as the Car of the Year–winning Genesis G90.
For more performance, Audi still offers the S8.
MPGs and Range
The V-6 powerplant ekes out just 20/26 mpg city/highway, according to the EPA. That’s well behind the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, both of which are quicker and more powerful.
On the bright side, a large gas tank means the Audi A8 can go 477 miles between fill-ups.
Safety Ratings and Features
Although the A8 offers good value in many ways, Audi keeps some safety features tucked away in the pricey Executive Plus package, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane keeping assist.
Those features are increasingly standard even on more affordable models, and we’d like to see Audi include more on its flagship sedan.
The standard kit of active safety tech includes:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beams
- 360-degree camera
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The A8’s extended wheelbase gives it acres of interior space—this sedan is worth experiencing from the second row. Cargo capacity is average for the class but not particularly impressive.
Technology
Infotainment
Every A8 gets a trio of screens: a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for the driver, a 10.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and another 8.6-inch touchscreen for HVAC and vehicle functions. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and navigation comes standard.
The Executive Plus package adds a few more tech features, including:
- Head-up display
- Remote parking assist
- Upgraded LED ambient lighting
Sound System
- Standard 17-speaker audio
- Available 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio
Value
Standard Features
Luxury features are one of the main selling points of the Audi A8. Here are a few of the standard perks:
- Power soft-closing doors
- Adaptive air suspension
- Panoramic sunroof
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
Recommended Trim
The A8 is available in only one trim. We'd add the Executive Plus package, which includes the best safety tech as well as a few luxury touches like heated armrests and Valcona leather.
Buyers who prefer to ride in the back seat might instead add the Comfort Rear Seat package, which upgrades the second row to ventilated massage-capable thrones with LED reading lights.
Even with the Executive Plus package, the A8 is more affordable than a base BMW 740i. If your heart is set on a full-size German sedan, the big Audi may be the best bang for your buck aside from a Genesis G90.
