Audi A8

The 2021 Audi A8 is a large luxury sedan that sits atop the German automaker's lineup. The A8 was redesigned in 2019 and carries on into 2021 with just a few minor adjustments to options and features. Like other flagship luxury sedans, the Audi A8 is impressively spacious, comfortable and well appointed. It also offers Audi's latest technology features as well as an available plug-in hybrid version.

While there's a lot to like with the A8, it doesn't seem as polished as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series. The ride quality, powertrains and infotainment aren't quite on the same level of German rivals, which is a bit of a surprise given how well Audi's smaller sedans otherwise stack up. Is the A8 still worth getting? Check out the categories of our Expert Rating below to read our in-depth evaluation on the 2021 A8.

Which A8 does MatoCar recommend?

Standard equipment is generally the same on all trims, so we suggest going with the 60 TFSI e plug-in hybrid. It's quicker than the V6-powered model and more fuel-efficient than either the V6 or V8.

The 2021 A8 comes in three well-equipped trim levels separated by a choice of powertrain: 55 TFSI, 60 TFSI and 60 TFSI e. The only A8 sold in the U.S. is the long-wheelbase A8 L, which provides extra legroom for rear passengers.

55 TFSI The 55 TFSI uses a 3.0-liter V6-powered (335 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Audi includes even more standard equipment for 2021 than last year's model. Feature highlights include:

19-inch wheels
LED headlights
Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
Adaptive air suspension
Power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling
Four-zone automatic climate control
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Wireless charging pad with Audi phone box signal booster
Digital instrument cluster (Audi's Virtual Cockpit)
Heated and ventilated seats
Panoramic sunroof
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the A8 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

There are a handful of options. They include:

Executive Plus package

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 rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Heated armrests
Heated rear outboard seats
Heated steering wheel
Ambient interior lighting
Dual-pane acoustic windows
Massaging front seats
Traffic sign recognition
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
20-inch wheels

Luxury package

Faux suede headliner
Aluminum buttons
Extended leather upholstery
Rear outboard ventilated and massaging seats
Heated rear armrests
Power rear outboard seats with lumbar and memory function

Black Optic/S Line Plus package

20-inch wheels
Black exterior trim
All-wheel steering

The 60 TFSI swaps a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (453 hp, 487 lb-ft) in place of the V6. Standard features mirror the 55 TFSI, with the addition of a Bang & Olufsen audio system that's otherwise optional on the 55 TFSI.

The 60 TFSI e uses a turbocharged V6 plug-in hybrid (443 hp, 516 lb-ft). Options mirror those on the 60 TFSI.