2017 Audi S8 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byJonathan Elfalan
Director, Vehicle Testing
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a senior manager 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 MotorTrend 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 that it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa.
Pros
- Standard turbocharged V8 delivers incredibly quick acceleration
- All-wheel drive assures solid all-weather capability
- Clean design and high-quality materials throughout the cabin
- Drives and handles like a much smaller sedan
Cons
- Offered in only one very aggressive trim
- Less rear legroom than in its German competitors
- Not as much trunk space as you might expect for a car of its size
What’s new
The standard Audi S8 was phased out toward the end of the 2016 model year, so for 2017 the S8 Plus is the only version available. New interior color combinations are also available this year.
Vehicle overview
A luxury sedan that will outrun a Corvette? Yes, it exists and it's called the 2017 Audi S8. It also has a plush cabin, a quiet ride and enough room for full adults to ride in complete comfort. It's an impressive feat that few manufacturers can pull off.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Audi S8 plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 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 $3.96 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$260/mo
S8 plus quattro
vs
$209/mo
Avg. Large Car
The S8, available only in its more sporty Plus model form for 2017, comes powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 tuned to produce 605 horsepower and 517 pound-feet of torque (a short burst of 36 extra lb-ft kicks in if you floor it). This passes through an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels through Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
The S8's most notable trait is no doubt its engine, but other things elevate this car above common luxury standards. An adjustable suspension with air springs and adaptive dampers, special sport steering calibration and a torque-vectoring rear differential allow the S8 to carve impossibly tight lines through twisty roads. Yet when you desire comfort, the S8 can soften system response for a highly civilized experience. A dichotomy of vehicle qualities pulled together with elegantly muscular design.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
There are many choices when it comes to large luxury sedans, but the 2017 Audi S8 is a special breed. An incredibly potent turbo V8 engine churns out addictive speed, while standard all-wheel drive helps keep you glued to the road. Pair this with Audi's elegant design, and the S8 feels worth every penny.
Which S8 does Edmunds recommend?
For 2017, the Audi S8 is available only in Plus trim, upping the horsepower and torque levels of its turbocharged V8 engine, and sharpening its steering and suspension tuning. It comes very well equipped from the start, so packages and options will be for those with the most discerning needs. However, if you spend any amount of time in traffic, we'd recommend the Driver Assistance package that comes with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and collision avoidance and mitigation.
2017 Audi S8 models
The 2017 Audi S8 is a high-performance full-size luxury sedan that's only offered in the more powerful, sporty and very well-equipped Plus trim. Under the hood sits a powerful turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (605 horsepower, 517 pound-feet) that connects to a shiftable eight-speed automatic transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system. However, unlike the Audi A8 sedan, the S8 is not offered in a long-wheelbase variant.