History/Overview
Audi redesigned its full-size A8 luxury sedan in 2019, a move that included making the car's long-wheelbase body the standard configuration. It also brought the brand's mild hybrid powertrain technology to this posh sport sedan.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
For 2020, the A8 adds two new powertrains. The first is a 4.0L V8 matched with the 48-volt mild hybrid drive system used in base cars with the 3.0L V6. There's also a TFSIe plug-in hybrid variant that uses the V6.
Available Trims
The A8 comes in a single trim. Base V6 cars wear a 55 label, while the new V8 and PHEV versions share a 60 designation that denotes their extra power output. Regardless of engine choice, the A8 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD.
Standard Features
New to the 2020 Audi A8 55 are Amazon Alexa integration, an augmented digital gauge cluster, and a first aid kit.
Standard exterior and mechanical features carried over from 2019 include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights with dynamic rear turn signals, adaptive air suspension, soft-close doors, four-wheel steering, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, a power trunklid, passive keyless entry, and cruise control.
Inside, the A8 55 comes with aluminum and ash wood dash inlays, a smartphone interface, Valetta leather upholstery, voice control, ambient lighting, 18-way front seats with memory and four-way lumbar, comfort rear headrests, electric steering wheel adjustments, heated front and rear seats, heated front surfaces and a heated steering wheel, power rear and side door sun shades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, a garage door opener, electric front seatbelt height adjustment, Audi Connect services, navigation, and a B&O premium 3D stereo.
The A8's safety suite includes 360-degree exterior camera views, tire pressure monitoring, adaptive rain-sensing wipers, pre-sense city forward collision avoidance, pre-sense rear collision avoidance assist, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
A8 60 trim adds 20-inch wheels, an air ionizer with fragrance dispenser, massaging front seats, and a head-up display.
A8L 60 TFSIe reverts to 19-inch wheels and deletes four-wheel steering and massaging front seats.
Key Options
A8 options are predictably posh, with items like 22-way massaging front seats, Valcona leather, HD matrix LED headlights, power rear seats and heated rear surfaces bundled into executive, luxury, rear seat comfort and sport packages.
A driver assistance package brings a range of driver aids like active cruise control, active lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and intersection, traffic jam, emergency, turn and efficiency assists.
Fuel Economy
As of this writing, Audi had not published fuel consumption estimates for the 2020 A8. Last year's ratings for the base 3.0L mild hybrid V6 (12.5/8.6 L/100 km city/highway) should carry over. The A8 60's V8 will be thirstier, but the TFSIe's V6/PHEV powertrain has the advantage of some electric-only driving range.
Competition
The Audi A8 is part of a well-known trifecta of German full-size sedans that also includes the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. There's also the Lexus LS, the Lincoln Continental and the Genesis G90.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
