Audi A8 2021 Review

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?

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.