2025 Audi S8
Price Range: $125,300 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2025 Audi S8





+43
Great
8.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Audi S8 is an executive sedan on steroids. Even at 2.5 tons, it's a rocket ship. More impressively, it drives like a smaller sport sedan. Despite being a luxe barge, most of which cater only to those in the rear seats, the S8 is actually more fun from behind the wheel. Its striking blend of power, luxury and tech gives it the ability to transform from engaging driver's car to luxury passenger coach.Read full review
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Base (Editors' Pick) - $126,595 MSRP
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$105,6833 for sale near you
2025 Audi S8 Review


byJosh Jacquot
Correspondent
Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.
rating written byJonathan Elfalan
Director, Vehicle Testing
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
Pros
- Loads of style and stellar build quality inside and out
- Potent V8 power
- Standard all-wheel steering makes for more dynamic handling
- Generous rear legroom
Cons
- Some features you'd expect to be standard are optional
- Relatively small trunk
- Infotainment system can be distracting to use
What's new
- 21-inch wheels now standard
- More standard leather trim
- Minor tweaks to option packages
- Based on the fourth-generation A8 introduced for 2019
Overview
With a thundering 563-horsepower V8 under its hood, the S8 is among a handful of extremely rapid executive sedans still powered largely by gasoline. Based on the A8 platform, the S8 adds more power, standard summer tires and Audi's sport rear differential, a handling and low-traction aid. Loaded with tech, the S8 impresses as much from behind the wheel as it does from the spacious and opulent back seats.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl 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 $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$255/mo for S8 Base
S8 Base
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Large Car
Edmunds spotlight: Bigger wheels, more leather
Audi changed very little on the S8 for 2025. New 21-inch wheels are now standard and fitted with summer tires, while all-seasons are a no-cost option. The extended leather package is now standard, adding leather to the door armrests, the center console and dash, and the top of the doors. It's a subtle tweak that expands the luxury already heavily present in the S8's interior. Audi continues to make small changes to the S8 as we await the inevitable switch to an all-electric platform for the brand's large sedans. Meanwhile, the big sedan remains a character-filled, immensely rewarding and sharp-handling executive rocket ship. Those shoes will be hard to fill — we don't care how many watts the replacement might have.
Competitors to consider
True competitors to the S8 can be pared down to a mere handful. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, of course, is among them. Always groundbreaking and available in a handful of flavors, the S-Class manages to be a standard-bearer while bookending the class with an opulent base trim and an outrageous AMG version. BMW's 760i xDrive offers a similarly high-end experience while never quite matching the S8's handling prowess. Porsche's Panamera will do that, however. As will the automaker's all-electric Taycan, though both lack the spaciousness offered in the other true large sedans mentioned here.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe 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.
Great
8.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Audi S8 is an executive sedan on steroids. Even at 2.5 tons, it's a rocket ship. More impressively, it drives like a smaller sport sedan. Despite being a luxe barge, most of which cater only to those in the rear seats, the S8 is actually more fun from behind the wheel. Its striking blend of power, luxury and tech gives it the ability to transform from engaging driver's car to luxury passenger coach.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
8.5/10
How does the S8 drive? The Audi S8 may not be the absolute quickest luxury sedan by the numbers, but it certainly makes a bold impression. At Edmunds' test track, we recorded a remarkable 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.5 seconds. The S8 catapults off the line with such ferocity that it makes you forget you're in one of the largest luxury sedans for sale today. Our only complaint is that the S8's powertrain can be a little slow to respond. There are instances when you have to wait a beat for the turbos to kick in or the transmission to shift. It isn't long or slow to respond, but the response isn't instant.
Straight-line speed isn't the S8's only impressive driving quality. In Dynamic drive mode, this luxury sedan handles like a much smaller sports car, showcasing uncanny agility through tight corners and smooth transitions thanks to its sophisticated all-wheel steering and trick torque-vectoring rear differential. Even if you don't drive the S8 to its limits, those capabilities trickle down to more everyday events, making things like freeway on-ramps something to look forward to.
Straight-line speed isn't the S8's only impressive driving quality. In Dynamic drive mode, this luxury sedan handles like a much smaller sports car, showcasing uncanny agility through tight corners and smooth transitions thanks to its sophisticated all-wheel steering and trick torque-vectoring rear differential. Even if you don't drive the S8 to its limits, those capabilities trickle down to more everyday events, making things like freeway on-ramps something to look forward to.
Comfort
9/10
How comfortable is the S8? The Audi S8 delivers supreme comfort through a blend of luxurious features and innovative technology. The front seats offer exceptional comfort, complemented by a standard massage function that surpasses typical offerings. The cushions don't have that squishy chauffeur-vehicle plushness, but they are comfortably firm and their adjustability, along with heated and ventilated options, ensures tailored support. The rear seats deliver respectable comfort with a recline feature and outboard seats that offer the option of four-way lumbar support, heating and ventilation.
The biggest trick in the S8's bag of comforts is the optional predictive adaptive suspension, which uses electric motors at each wheel to raise and lower the car body to effortlessly smooth out body motions and occasionally completely erase bumps in the road. Audi's climate controls are sleekly integrated, responsive to the touch, and able to maintain the perfect cabin temperature. Meanwhile, acoustic glass minimizes exterior noise for a serene cabin environment.
The biggest trick in the S8's bag of comforts is the optional predictive adaptive suspension, which uses electric motors at each wheel to raise and lower the car body to effortlessly smooth out body motions and occasionally completely erase bumps in the road. Audi's climate controls are sleekly integrated, responsive to the touch, and able to maintain the perfect cabin temperature. Meanwhile, acoustic glass minimizes exterior noise for a serene cabin environment.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? The S8's cabin exudes spaciousness and accessibility. The doors open wide for easy entry and exit, and the soft-close function means you only need a featherlight effort to shut them behind you. Stepping in and out is a breeze thanks to the optional predictive adaptive suspension that raises the vehicle by 2 inches to a friendlier slide-in level.
The roomy cabin boasts ample legroom in both rows for passengers. We like that the rear center armrest can fold up to accommodate a fifth passenger, though a center drive tunnel eats into the floor space if you happen to land in the middle. Also, a four-passenger option package is available that replaces the center armrest with a console housing an airbag and a touchscreen controller for the HVAC and entertainment systems. The thoughtfully designed layout of the cabin makes everything feel like a natural fit, and it smartly takes advantage of things like the drive selector's ability to double as a palm rest. Our only critique is that with the numerous features available in the S8, some controls, like the advanced seat adjustments, were buried so deep that we almost didn't know they existed.
The roomy cabin boasts ample legroom in both rows for passengers. We like that the rear center armrest can fold up to accommodate a fifth passenger, though a center drive tunnel eats into the floor space if you happen to land in the middle. Also, a four-passenger option package is available that replaces the center armrest with a console housing an airbag and a touchscreen controller for the HVAC and entertainment systems. The thoughtfully designed layout of the cabin makes everything feel like a natural fit, and it smartly takes advantage of things like the drive selector's ability to double as a palm rest. Our only critique is that with the numerous features available in the S8, some controls, like the advanced seat adjustments, were buried so deep that we almost didn't know they existed.
Save as much as $20,912 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $20,912 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Base trim.
2025 Audi S8 pricing in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds suggests you pay
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? Technology has always been a hallmark of the Audi brand, and the S8 mostly upholds this reputation. The standout feature undoubtedly remains the optional Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. It delivers impressive audio quality and gives you a theatrical touch at startup when the speakers rise out of the dash. The digital instrument panel provides an intuitive interface that's both visually appealing and functional. While the wireless smartphone integration like Apple CarPlay looks less expansive on the S8's modestly sized center screen, it maintains a practical layout that fits comfortably within the S8's interior.
An area where tech comes up short for the S8 is the wireless charger's placement. It sat under the armrest in our five-seat test vehicle, a location that limits phone accessibility and may lead to overheating. The rear USB-C ports are housed in the center armrest and are inaccessible if the seat is in use. Most of the S8's advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control and high-definition surround-view cameras, worked well in our testing. But some features, such as automatic parking, were tricky to activate and never worked quickly or didn't do a better job than we could.
An area where tech comes up short for the S8 is the wireless charger's placement. It sat under the armrest in our five-seat test vehicle, a location that limits phone accessibility and may lead to overheating. The rear USB-C ports are housed in the center armrest and are inaccessible if the seat is in use. Most of the S8's advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control and high-definition surround-view cameras, worked well in our testing. But some features, such as automatic parking, were tricky to activate and never worked quickly or didn't do a better job than we could.
Storage
7/10
How’s the storage? Even though the S8 is a flagship luxury sedan, it falls short in storage capabilities. Total trunk space is 12.5 cubic feet, which is less than what the BMW 7 Series or Tesla Model S provide. The power-operated rear seats, which cannot be folded down, further restrict cargo options, leaving only a modest pass-through for longer items.
Interior storage is also limited. The armrest bin, glovebox and standard cupholders are all small. Got small children? The rear seating offers ample room for child safety seats and boosters, but top car seat anchor points are hard to get to.
Interior storage is also limited. The armrest bin, glovebox and standard cupholders are all small. Got small children? The rear seating offers ample room for child safety seats and boosters, but top car seat anchor points are hard to get to.
Fuel Economy
7/10
How’s the fuel economy? Big, powerful engines are becoming more efficient, but the reality is they still consume multiple times more fuel than the most efficient cars on the road and cost a lot to refuel compared with the new luxury EV options out there. The S8 is estimated to get 18 mpg combined by the EPA. We managed 20 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route, which indicates that the EPA figures should be realistic. For some context, we got 24 mpg out of BMW's V8-powered 760i and 23.7 mpg from the Mercedes S 580 4Matic sedan.
Value
8/10
Is the S8 a good value? The Audi S8 offers a compelling blend of quality and performance that reflects typical Audi values: solid design, top-shelf materials and a discerning, understated style. At its base price, it undercuts even some of its nonperformance rivals, making it a relative bargain in the luxury segment. Just note that some desirable features are bundled in expensive packages. We also think more customization options should be available for a flagship sedan.
Audi's warranty coverage is relatively standard, providing four years/50,000 miles of basic and powertrain protection. Roadside assistance is offered for four years with no mileage cap.
Audi's warranty coverage is relatively standard, providing four years/50,000 miles of basic and powertrain protection. Roadside assistance is offered for four years with no mileage cap.
Wildcard
9/10
Driving the S8 is an exhilarating experience. We found more joy behind the wheel of it than in some mid-engine coupes, not to mention it's infinitely more comfortable and practical for everyday use. The S8's understated elegance is a hallmark of sophistication, showcasing a design that's luxurious but doesn't yell for attention. While it may not significantly differentiate itself from the Audi A8, it captures a stunning aesthetic, especially in the right color.
Which S8 does Edmunds recommend?
The 2025 Audi S8 comes in only one trim with multiple packages and stand-alone options. If you live in a cold climate, we recommend opting for available all-season tires at no cost to replace the standard summer tires. The Executive package adds adaptive cruise and other features, which should really be standard on the S8. We'd add it to our S8.
Audi S8 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(67%)
4(33%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
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Best Sedan I Have Ever Owned
5 out of 5 starsK.S., 10/28/2021
2020 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
I have owned my 2020 S8 for about one month so far. Coming from the previous general A8. I have owned S-class & BMW's. I can't tell you how fun this machine is to drive. It hauls butt like nothing else. It is like having a supercar in the comfort of a luxury sedan. Sure, it's big and isn't flat around corners, but for it's size, it handles the road well. Get it on the freeway, … mash the accelerator and you are off like a rocket. And it sounds tough too, without being too loud. There just aren't many cars on the road that can keep up. Audi say 0-60 is 3.8, but R&T says 3.2.
The suspension is tight in dynamic mode and does a great job of eliminating the bumps in comfort+ mode. Overall, the suspension does a great job of keeping the car planted and keeping the ride comfortable.
The interior is a huge upgrade from the previous generation. Once you get to know the system, it is thought out and works well. I looked at a 911, but the comfort of the seats and spaciousness of the cabin won me over. I haven't looked back since.
If you are considering an S-class or BMW, or even an A8, I highly suggest you test drive an S8. It will change your commute into a joy.
S8 - A classic V8
5 out of 5 starsMike Steffes, 08/01/2022
2021 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
My '21 S8 is quick, smooth and sporty and at the same time elegant, roomy and comfortable. So you get the benefits of both performance and luxury. Sometimes that's a tough balancing act but Audi found the sweet spot with the S8.
Originally I had planned on replacing my '09 A8 with a new A8 turbo and found out Audi discontinued that engine option for the vehicle in '23. As a result, I had … planned to order a '23 S8 with the V8 turbo and then have a long wait to get the car. In spite of this world of low inventory, my local Audi dealer found a low mileage '21 S8. The car is pristine and amazing to drive. The style, the trim and the technology are all world class. I entitled my review classic V8 because as we transition to an electric world it looks like V8s are going to be one of the first casualties. So I concluded now was the time to buy one as later model S8s are hard to find. Glad I made the move!
2023 S8
5 out of 5 starsJohn, 02/28/2023
2023 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
Land yacht that performs like a nimble sports car. After checking out all the comparables, the sheer performance and muted styling won me over. I've driven them all - but nothing really compares. I have the all-blacked out version and my favorite part is that virtually nobody knows what this car is, which I really like with today's preference for more in-your-face super sedans. …
S8 = Sports car, Luxo sedan, Limousine, 4X4, great
4 out of 5 starsS.C., 01/15/2023
2020 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
A scientific marvel!
At first it seemed so much larger and technologically intimidating than my previous gen S8 I felt dwarfed. However after a few days becoming acclimated we bonded. Whether driving, or being driven in one of the safest, most comfortable automobiles on the road you are completely insulated.
I've owned/own numerous exotics and performance sedans. This car is a bargain.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Audi S8, so we've included reviews for other years of the S8 since its last redesign.
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2025 Audi S8 Features & Specs
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $125,300 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Mild hybrid |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $255/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
Key safety features on the S8 include:
- Lane Departure Warning
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Pre-collision safety system
- Post-collision safety system
FAQ
Is the Audi S8 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 S8 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 S8 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the S8 has 12.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Audi S8. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Audi S8?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Audi S8:
- 21-inch wheels now standard
- More standard leather trim
- Minor tweaks to option packages
- Based on the fourth-generation A8 introduced for 2019
Is the Audi S8 reliable?
To determine whether the Audi S8 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the S8. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the S8's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Audi S8 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Audi S8 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 S8 and gave it a 8.3 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 S8 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 S8 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Audi S8?
The least-expensive 2025 Audi S8 is the 2025 Audi S8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $125,300.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) which starts at $125,300
What are the different models of Audi S8?
If you're interested in the Audi S8, the next question is, which S8 model is right for you? S8 variants include 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A). For a full list of S8 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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