Audi S8

Audi's S8 takes the luxurious and tech-forward A8 luxury sedan and turns it into a true sport sedan. With a twin-turbo V8 thumping out 563 horsepower and a sport-tuned all-wheel-drive system, the S8 offers astonishing performance without compromising any of its considerable comfort. Fresh off a recent redesign, not much has changed for the 2021 S8, but the once optional summer performance tires are now standard equipment.

The S8 also benefits from rear-wheel steering, which makes this big sedan not only more maneuverable in tight spaces but also improves high-speed handling and stability. If you'd prefer not to drive, and instead be driven, the S8 can be configured with reclining rear seats with heating, ventilation and massage capability. Foldout trays and footrests are also available, of course.

You might think that German manufacturers have the fast executive sedan on lockdown. Options such as the BMW-based Alpina B7, Porsche's Panamera GTS and the recently redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class are so good it seems almost pointless to look elsewhere for a super sedan. But if you're feeling brave and want a bit of extra style, Maserati's new Quattroporte Trofeo offers similar performance along with distinctive Italian flair.

Which S8 does MatoCar recommend?

We wouldn't shy away from recommending the S8, which comes well equipped, without the need for additional options. If you really want to impress any future passengers, we'd suggest the Executive package for the additional driver aids and full leather interior, as well as the Four Passenger Rear Seat Comfort package and the upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The 2021 Audi S8 is a performance version of the A8 large luxury sedan. It's powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft) that puts its power to an all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Highlighted features include:

S8 Comes well equipped with:

21-inch wheels with summer performance tires
Adaptive suspension dampers with road-sensing (uses a camera to scan the road ahead and prepare the adaptive suspension dampers for upcoming ruts and bumps)
Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
Panoramic sunroof
Hands-free trunk opener
Auto-dimming rearview and exterior mirrors
Faux suede headliner
Carbon-fiber trim
Heated steering wheel
Heated armrests
Four-zone climate control

Technology features for the S8 include:

Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Configurable ambient lighting
Heated and ventilated front seats with massage
10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
Navigation system
17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
Satellite radio
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto smartphone integration
Wireless charging pad

The S8 also comes standard with advanced driver aids such as:

360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the S8 for tight parking situations)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Though the S8 is well equipped right out of the gate, quite a few feature packages and stand-alone options are available. Notable ones to look out for include:

Executive package

LED and laser headlights
Extended leather trim
Heated rear outboard seats
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S8 and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Five Passenger Rear Seat Comfort package

Heated rear armrests
Rear outboard seats with lumbar adjustment, memory, ventilation and massage

Four Passenger Rear Seat Comfort package

Four-seat configuration
Heated rear armrests
Rear outboard seats with lumbar adjustment, memory, ventilation and massage
Footrest for rear passenger-side seat
Extra rear power outlet
Additional rear airbag
Rear center console with foldout tables

Black Optic package

Unique black-painted wheels
Summer performance tires
Black exterior trim

Stand-alone options include:

Red brake calipers
Night vision camera (displays an infrared image of the area in front of the vehicle to assist while driving at night)
23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system