2026 Audi S8 Expert Review
Reviewed by Willis Kuelthau
The 2026 S8 is Audi's ultimate expression of a full-size luxury sedan. Returning mostly unchanged, the S8 takes the basic recipe of the plush A8 and injects it with some V-8 venom. The result is a luxury barge that drives like a true sport sedan—an impressive feat of engineering.
The S8 enters the ring against a growing cadre of full-size performance sedans. That includes the usual suspects in the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance as well as electric competitors like the BMW i7 and the Lucid Air.
What’s New
- Luxury and Executive packages combined into a single "Executive Plus" package
- Covered under Audi's new Signature Care program for complimentary maintenance up to three years/30,000 miles
What We Think
The Audi S8 rides on an aging platform, but it feels as youthful as ever. Take a full-size luxury sedan, add a howling V-8 and some remarkable performance engineering, and what do you get? A little bit of magic.
The enchantment begins with the S8's four-wheel steering system, which makes the car feel much smaller than it is. Behavior in the corners is stable and predictable, with a hint of oversteer right at the limit. Feedback through the wheel isn't exceptional, but the steering is precise and easy to modulate. As usual, Audi's Quattro system does an exceptional job keeping the S8 on the right trajectory.
Flip the optional predictive suspension into Comfort mode, and the S8 transforms into a luxury cruiser every bit the equal of its sibling, the A8. The cabin is sumptuous, spacious, and supremely quiet. This is a car whose mood can match your own: refined and comfortable on everyday errands; ready to party when the time comes.
The S8 does charge a considerable price for that privilege. It costs more than a Porsche Panamera or Lucid Air Grand Touring, both of which are remarkable performance sedans in their own right. For a similar price, buyers could cross-shop Audi's own RS7, which is even quicker (and, thanks to a fastback roof, more practical).
Still, stiff competition takes nothing away from the S8. It's a special car with very few compromises, and we're glad it's still around.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the Audi S8 cranks out 563 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Audi's Quattro AWD system delivers power to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. We found that transmission snappy and responsive even when pressed.
All that hardware is good for a 0–60 time of 3.7 seconds, which is impressive given the S8's size. Not quite as quick as the (more expensive) Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance but a hair quicker than a BMW 760i xDrive.
MPGs and Range
Fuel economy is predictably dismal: The S8 manages only 15/24 mpg city/highway. That's to be expected with a powerful V-8 engine, but the luxury market includes a few electrified competitors that don't require paying a premium at the pump.
The Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and BMW i7 all offer compelling takes on gas-free luxury cruising. With the S8 reaching the tail end of its product cycle, we expect that Audi will follow suit and offer an electric variant in the years to come. Then again, it’s also possible the A8 and S8 will be discontinued without a follow-up.
One edge the S8 has over most of the electric competition is driving range, which checks in at a healthy 391 miles.
Safety Ratings and Features
One of our few gripes with the S8 is its stinginess with active safety tech. Features like blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are hidden in the Executive Plus package, which adds more than $6,000 to the starting price.
Standard safety features include:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beams
- 360-degree camera
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The S8's cabin is capacious enough for adults of all sizes. The trunk, however, is on the small side for the class. Cargo capacity is merely average by sedan standards, and it falls far short of the Lucid Air or the Audi RS7 fastback.
Technology
Infotainment
Audi sets twin touchscreens low in the center dash. The upper 10.1-inch screen handles infotainment, while the lower 8.6-inch unit takes care of HVAC and vehicle settings. A 12.3-inch digital display shows instruments as well as optional goodies like a night-vision camera.
Navigation comes standard, and the system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Executive Plus package adds:
- Head-up display
- Remote parking assist
- LED reading lights for the second row
Sound System
- Standard 17-speaker audio
- Optional 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio
Value
Recommended Trim
We think the S8 is at its best with a full kit of luxury features. We'd add the Executive Plus package, which includes the best safety tech as well as a host of upgrades like ventilated, massage-capable rear seats.
For the most comfortable ride, we'd also spring for the predictive suspension, which scans the road ahead to preemptively adjust for uneven asphalt. So equipped, the S8 checks in just under $145,000—not cheap but still much less than a Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance.
