Audi S8
The 2026 Audi S8 offers potent performance but warrants careful consideration due to its 'Below Average' reliability verdict.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2020 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km | Fuel-economy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.8 | 13.07 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.8 | 13.07 | — |
| 2024 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.8 | 13.07 | — |
| 2023 | 15 | 23 | 18 | 15.68 | 10.23 | 13.07 | — |
| 2022 | 14 | 23 | 17 | 16.8 | 10.23 | 13.84 | — |
| 2021 | 13 | 22 | 16 | 18.09 | 10.69 | 14.7 | — |
| 2020 | 13 | 22 | 16 | 18.09 | 10.69 | 14.7 | — |
| 2018 | 14 | 24 | 18 | 16.8 | 9.8 | 13.07 | 14-24 mpg combined |
| 2017 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.8 | 13.07 | — |
| 2016 | 15 | 25 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.41 | 13.07 | 15-19 mpg combined |
| 2015 | 16 | 27 | 20 | 14.7 | 8.71 | 11.76 | — |
| 2014 | 15 | 26 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.05 | 13.07 | — |
| 2013 | 15 | 26 | 18 | 15.68 | 9.05 | 13.07 | — |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Engine code | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Torque | Engine configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2025 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2024 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2023 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2022 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic | AWD/All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2021 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic | AWD/All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2020 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2018 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | 4.0T | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 605 hp | 517 lb-ft | 4.0T |
| 2017 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | 4.0T | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | 4.0T |
| 2016 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 520-605 hp | 517-553 lb-ft | V8 |
| 2015 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2014 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2013 | sedan | 8 | 4.0 | Premium | — | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 520 hp | 479-481 lb-ft | V8 |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | msrp | pricing | Base price | Trim | Note | currency | Base MSRP | MSRP range | Confidence | notes | Source | estimatedAt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | Base price: $84,400, Trim: quattro, Note: HD Radio, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input, MP3 Player | $84,400 | quattro | HD Radio, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input, MP3 Player | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $115,900, MSRP range: $115,900 - $115,900, Confidence: 0.9, notes: The 2018 Audi S8 was available in a single trim, the "Plus" version, with a starting MSRP of $115,900. Optional packages could increase the final price., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 6/2/2026 | Base price: $115,900, Trim: quattro Plus | $115,900 | quattro Plus | — | USD | $115,900 | $115,900 - $115,900 | 0.9 | The 2018 Audi S8 was available in a single trim, the "Plus" version, with a starting MSRP of $115,900. Optional packages could increase the final price. | llm_estimate | 6/2/2026 |
| 2017 | — | Base price: $116,850, Trim: quattro Plus | $116,850 | quattro Plus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $114,900, MSRP range: $114,900 - $114,900, Confidence: 0.9, notes: This is the original base MSRP for the 2016 model year. For 2016, Audi dropped the regular S8 from the lineup, leaving only the S8 Plus trim., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 5/12/2026 | — | — | — | — | USD | $114,900 | $114,900 - $114,900 | 0.9 | This is the original base MSRP for the 2016 model year. For 2016, Audi dropped the regular S8 from the lineup, leaving only the S8 Plus trim. | llm_estimate | 5/12/2026 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | GVWR | Seat rows | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | 354 | 12.5 | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 115.3, Front wheel: 21, Rear wheel: 21 | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 115.3 | 21 | 21 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 402 | 14.2 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.9, Front wheel: 21, Rear wheel: 21 | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 117.9 | 21 | 21 |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.9, Front wheel: 21, Rear wheel: 21 | Standard | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 117.9 | 21 | 21 |
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | 402 | 14.2 | — | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | 4 | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | 4 | 520 | 18.4 | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | 4 | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | nhtsaSafetyRatings | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotMonitoring | blindSpotIntervention | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | rearAeb | Rated vehicle | laneCenteringAssist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | standard | standard | optional | optional | standard | standard | optional | — | — |
| 2022 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | — | standard | — | optional | — | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2021 | Rated vehicle: 2021 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | optional | — | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | 2021 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | optional |
| 2020 | Rated vehicle: 2020 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2020 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
| 2018 | Rated vehicle: 2018 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | 2018 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
| 2017 | Rated vehicle: 2017 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | optional | — | standard | — | optional | standard | — | — | optional | standard | — | 2017 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
| 2016 | Rated vehicle: 2016 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2016 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
| 2015 | Rated vehicle: 2015 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2015 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
| 2014 | Rated vehicle: 2014 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2014 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
| 2013 | Rated vehicle: 2013 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2013 Audi S8 4 DR AWD | — |
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Audi S8 offers potent performance but warrants careful consideration due to its 'Below Average' reliability verdict.
2025
The 2025 Audi S8 is a potent luxury sedan, but its 'Below Average' public reliability verdict warrants careful consideration.
2024
The 2024 Audi S8 presents a compelling performance package, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict warrants caution for used buyers.
2023
The 2023 Audi S8 presents a mixed ownership proposition.
2022
The 2022 Audi S8 presents a compelling luxury sedan package, but its 'Average' reliability verdict and significant safety recall history warrant a cautious approach.
2021
The 2021 Audi S8 is a potent luxury sedan, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict warrants careful consideration.
2020
The 2020 Audi S8 presents a mixed ownership proposition.
2018
The 2018 Audi S8 offers potent performance but demands careful ownership due to its below-average reliability verdict.
2017
The 2017 Audi S8 offers potent performance but demands careful consideration due to its below-average reliability verdict.
2016
The 2016 Audi S8 offers potent performance but demands careful consideration due to documented critical recalls concerning fuel leaks and turbocharger lubrication.
2015
The 2015 Audi S8 offers potent performance but demands careful consideration due to its below-average reliability verdict.
2014
The 2014 Audi S8 presents a mixed bag for used car buyers.
2013
The 2013 Audi S8 presents a compelling performance package, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict demands careful consideration.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Audi S8?
Carfocal currently has 13 published S8 reports, covering 2013 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Audi S8 offers potent performance but warrants careful consideration due to its 'Below Average' reliability verdict.
Published year coverage: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Audi S8 reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Audi S8. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 audi s8 offers potent performance but warrants careful consideration due to its 'below average' reliability verdict. and the 2026 audi s8's value proposition is tempered by its 'below average' reliability. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
13 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Audi S8?
Across Carfocal's published S8 guides, recurring problem areas include Engine Control Module (ECM), Rear Axle Components, and Infotainment System. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Engine Control Module (ECM), Rear Axle Components, and Infotainment System.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 13
- Years tracked
- 13
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints