2022 Audi A8 Review

Name: 2022 Audi A8 Review
Brand: Audi

Price: $39,590

+53

At this price, luxury is more than just a state of mind. It's found not only in the wealth of features but also in the way the vehicle behaves and its ability to make its occupants forget the stresses of daily life. The 2022 Audi A8 has all the trappings of luxury, but it never feels entirely special or cohesive, and it lacks that last little bit of personality and luxury you'll find in other large luxury sedans.

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2022 Audi A8 Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

rating written Kurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Impeccably crafted cabin
Impressive interior technology
Responsive steering and cornering for a big sedan
Exceptionally comfortable seats all around

Cons

Relatively small trunk
Infotainment interface can be tough to learn
Powertrain is a little unrefined
Ride is too floaty at high speeds and bumpy around town

What's new

Refreshed exterior design
V8 and plug-in hybrid models are no longer available
New wireless connectivity for Android Auto
Part of the fourth A8 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Audi's flagship large luxury sedan comes in for midstream changes three years after the debut of this current-generation model. The 2022 Audi A8 is refreshed with a larger grille, restyled headlights and taillights, and the standard application of last year's S line appearance package. Interior changes are limited to new wireless connectivity for Android Auto, which allows Android users to ditch the charge cable but maintain control of various smartphone functions through the car's infotainment system.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Audi A8 L 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$202/mo

$187/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Unfortunately as the Volkswagen Group gods giveth, they also taketh. The V8-powered 60 TFSI model and 60 TFSI e plug-in hybrid have both been axed from the lineup. The only way to get a more powerful engine is by upgrading to the sportier Audi S8, which is reviewed separately.

Though the A8 has been refreshed for 2022, the updates aren't comprehensive enough to significantly boost its standing in the class. In our testing, we found that the A8 lags behind rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Porsche Panamera and even a relative newcomer — the Genesis G90. The A8 isn't a bad choice by any means, but in the large luxury sedan category, where vehicles can cost upward of six figures, "good enough" doesn't really cut it. Check out the categories of our test team's Expert Rating below to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the A8 drive? At this level, a car's performance should be almost transparent and allow passengers to enjoy the experience of a true luxury car. But the A8 gets most of its athletic aptitude from optional summer performance tires instead of a more well-rounded approach. The A8 is by no means slow, but that doesn't mean it couldn't do with a little more in the power department. Unfortunately, the V8 and plug-in are no longer available. You'll have to upgrade to the sporty S8 for extra oomph under the hood.

The A8 also comes across as a bit numb and clumsy in aspects that you wouldn't expect it to. The brakes performed well in our panic-stop tests but were jumpy in traffic, making it hard to stop smoothly. The transmission was also slow to downshift when we wanted it to. The A8 is good overall, but there's room for improvement.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the A8? On the right road, and in the right conditions, the A8 is nearly as good as they come, offering supremely comfortable seats for all passengers. The Luxury package adds ventilation and massage for the outboard rear seats so even backseat occupants are treated to a first-class experience.

But the ride quality can feel decidedly unrefined on less than perfect roads. It can be too soft over dips and crests, resulting in wallowy body motions, but then too firm over potholes and rough surfaces. Other negatives include a climate control that has to work a bit harder than it should have to in a car of this status and more road and engine noise than we'd expect.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? To put it simply, if Audi retained the use of the previous A8's MMI infotainment system, the A8 would have received a higher score. The dual-screen system, though not impossible to figure out, is not intuitive and the screens can look dirty after a day's use. It offers a lot of features, but the learning curve is steep. We do, however, like the standard digital instrument cluster.

Visibility and interior space are difficult to fault thanks to the large windows and thin roof pillars. As a result, this large car is relatively easy to park. There's plenty of space, especially for rear passengers. The optional four-seat setup offers the ability to slide the passenger seat forward for more rear legroom.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The A8 is definitely impressive to look at and absolutely impressive to listen to. You'd think the A8 should be the runaway class leader when it comes to in-car tech. But some usability issues as well as some conservative tuning with the adaptive cruise control system show there's room for improvement.

We like the standard Bang & Olufsen audio system and Google Earth-based navigation, but we had some graphical glitches in our test car. Voice recognition works well, as does the handwriting recognition system. The driver aids feel slow to respond and can feel behind the beat in traffic.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? Audi's streamlined styling takes a bit of a toll on cargo capacity for both passengers and trunk space. Both front and rear passengers will need to declutter since there aren't many places to hold small items beyond sunglasses and a smartphone. The trunk can't hold more than a couple of large suitcases.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The A8 is expected to return an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's right in the mix with other similarly equipped executive sedans. But in our time with our test car, we saw only one tank barely exceed 22 mpg, even though it was made up of mostly highway miles. You might have trouble matching the EPA's numbers in your car.

Value

7.5/10

Is the A8 a good value? Luxury-car buyers are right to expect a lot from their purchase, especially when the price tag exceeds $100,000. The A8 does impress prospective buyers with exceptional build quality. Audi's limited warranty is pretty typical for the segment, and Audi offers four years of roadside assistance with unlimited miles. That's good, but some competitors offer better plans.

Wildcard

6/10

The Audi A8 strives to mix Audi's tech-forward heritage and high-end luxury appointments with a touch of sport into a long-wheelbase executive express. But the recipe never feels fully baked, and the A8 winds up feeling only like a bigger Audi instead of a special one.

Which A8 does Edmunds recommend?

The Audi A8 is only available in one trim level this year, but it offers some customization via the options list. For a vehicle in this price range, however, we feel like only the best will do. We recommend checking the box for the almost all-encompassing Luxury package. It's expensive, but it treats owners to the Executive and Comfort Plus packages, plus upgrades the back row with adjustable outboard rear seats. It's practical, too, as the included rear-wheel steering function makes pulling this big sedan into a parking spot easier.

2022 Audi A8 models

The refreshed 2022 A8 comes in a single well-equipped trim level called the 55 TFSI. It is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (335 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) with a mild hybrid component, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The only A8 sold in the U.S. is the long-wheelbase A8 L, which provides extra legroom for rear passengers compared to the standard model sold overseas.

55 TFSI
Standard features for the Audi A8 include:

19-inch wheels
Panoramic sunroof
Power trunklid
Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
Adaptive air suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle and improve ride comfort and handling stability)
Heated and ventilated front seats
Four-zone automatic climate control
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Navigation system
Dual touchscreen interface, with 10.1-inch upper screen for infotainment functions and a lower 8.6-inch screen for climate control and seat adjustments
Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
Wireless charging pad with Audi phone box signal booster
Digital instrument cluster (Audi's Virtual Cockpit)

The A8 also comes with a suite of safety features, consisting of:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the A8 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

The handful of options include:

Executive package

20-inch wheels
Aluminum buttons
Configurable ambient interior lighting
Heated steering wheel
Traffic sign recognition
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the A8 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitoring with front and rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change, while crossing an intersection or while reversing)
Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Comfort Plus package

Executive package
Sound-reducing front windows
Heated front armrests
Massaging front seats
Heated rear outboard seats
Upgraded leather upholstery
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

Luxury package

Comfort Plus package
Rear-wheel steering for better handling and a tighter turning circle
Extended leather upholstery
Heated rear armrests
Power rear outboard seats with lumbar adjustment, ventilation and memory settings

Black Optic package

21-inch wheels
Black exterior trim

Black Optic Plus package

Black Optic package
Black Audi badges
Black brake calipers

Summer performance tires (no-cost option, available with either Black Optic package)

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2/5Average

#38 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi A8 from 2008-2022.}

$824/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.23x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

21.6%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Audi A8 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

18 reviews

5(67%)

4(5%)

3(0%)

2(11%)

1(17%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Too Many Issues to be Audi's Flagship

C. R., 01/12/2023

2019 Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

We purchased a CPO 2019 Audi A8 with 32,000 miles. In the first 16 months of ownership our car has been in the Audi Dealership 82 days. Even after 82 days in the shop we have a return visit schedule to address outstanding items. We continue to have brake issues with no resolution from Audi. If you don't want a car with a lot of service issues this is not the car for you. This is also my …

Absolute lemon

RC, 12/18/2019

2019 Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

My third A8 and seventh Audi, never any issues but this one has been over engineered electronically , buggy and dangerous ( the steering froze up mid-drive with family inside the car), even more painful is dealing with VW group to get it resolved been over 6 months

Unreliable Car

Jamie, 07/06/2021

2019 Audi A8 L 4.0 TFSI quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

Very gorgeous car, but it turned into an expensive paperweight soon after purchasing. After buying the car, dealership then told me they needed to do minor work on the cooling system. That took about 3 weeks. 2 weeks of having the car, the temperature light started spazzing with 5 miles of driving. Towed to the dealership and was told that the car was throwing codes and the technician …

Falling out of love with this car

RobertinCT, 12/14/2021

2019 Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

This is my third Audi. It is by far the best. It is extremely quiet and smooth. Loaded with tech and safety features. Love the rear seat comfort package and 4-wheel steering. Car is quick and gets pretty good mpg. Took the car on a 7,200 mile cross country road trip. Car performed flawlessly and was extremely comfortable. Lane keep assist and radar cruise made the driving stress …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Audi A8, so we've included reviews for other years of the A8 since its last redesign.

See all 18 reviews of the Audi A8

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2022 A8 Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$86,500
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$202/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the A8 models:

Audi Side Assist: Alerts the driver when a vehicle is in the A8's blind spot. Will sound an alert if a lane change is attempted when a vehicle is in the blind spot.
Pre Sense Rear: Reacts to an imminent rear-end collision by tensioning seat belts, closing windows, and adjusting the seats for optimal protection.
Lane Guidance: Warns the driver if he or she deviates from a lane without using a signal. Can also apply steering to help keep the vehicle in the lane.

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2022 Audi A8 Review

Price & Payment

2022 Audi A8 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which A8 does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Audi A8 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Audi A8 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Too Many Issues to be Audi's Flagship

Absolute lemon

Unreliable Car

Falling out of love with this car

2022 A8 Highlights

Safety

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