MSRP: $130,000
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Overview
The 2026 Audi S8 full-size luxury performance sedan hits 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds, thanks to a twin-turbocharged and 48-volt mild-hybrid-assisted V8 engine with 563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, not to mention Quattro all-wheel drive, a sport differential, and a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. The U.S. gets the S8 only in long-wheelbase L form in a single trim level. Its rivals include the Porsche Panamera GTS, Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance, and the BMW 760i xDrive.
What’s New for 2026
The 2026 S8 continues mostly unchanged. Combining features from last year’s Executive and Luxury packages, the new $6,100 Executive Plus package contains adaptive cruise control, Audi Side Assist with Pre Sense Rear, Digital Matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, remote Park Assist Plus, intersection assist, Matrix LED rear reading lights, a black Dinamica headliner, and power-adjustable rear outboard seats with memory, heating, ventilation, and massaging.
The other big news is that, in common with all other Audis, the S8 gets Audi Signature Care complimentary maintenance for three years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Exterior
Being sold locally as a long-wheelbase L only, the S8 stretches a full 209.5 inches long on a 123.2-inch wheelbase. It’s 76.6 inches wide without the mirrors and 83.8 inches with them, and stands 58.5 inches tall. Exterior features that distinguish it from the regular A8 include unique bumpers with larger air intakes, subtle badging, standard Platinum Gray 10-spoke-star design 21-inch alloy wheels, and quad exhausts.Â
Matrix-design LED headlights, OLED taillights, a power panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors are standard as well. Options include predictive active air suspension and a $2,200 Black Optic Plus package that blacks out the exterior trim. There are eight paint colors, including Ultra Blue, Firmament Blue, Daytona Gray, and Sebring Black.
Interior
The dual-screen MMI multimedia system comprises a 12.3-inch configurable Virtual Cockpit Plus digital gauge cluster with S-specific graphics and a 10.1-inch center touchscreen, with an additional 8.6-inch HVAC touchscreen below it for the standard four-zone climate control. The infotainment system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system, which can be upgraded to a B&O Advanced 3D system for $5,900.
The 22-way power front seats have heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, and you also get Valcona leather upholstery. The long wheelbase means that rear-seat passengers lounge in 44.3 inches of legroom, but the trunk is disappointingly small, measuring only 12.5 cu-ft. The Executive Plus package adds items such as a black Dinamica headliner, power rear seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging, and Matrix LED rear reading lights.
Price Range and Best Value Trim
| Trim | MSRP |
| Base: S8 | $130,000 |
| Best Value: S8 | $130,000 |
| Top: S8 | $130,000 |
Note: There’s only a single trim, but adding all the packages and extras can boost the 2026 Audi S8’s price to around $160K. The $6,000 predictive active suspension is absolutely incredible for the way it anticipates road shocks, and is well worth the money if the budget allows. It’s really disappointing that Audi doesn’t include standard adaptive cruise control in a $130K car, and the only way to get it is to specify the $6,100 Executive Plus package.
2026 Audi S8 Key Specs
Powertrain Options
| Spec | Detail |
| Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 w/ 48V Mild Hybrid |
| Power | 563 hp / 590 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Quattro AWD w/ Center & Rear LSDs |
| 0-60 mph | 3.8 sec |
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Fuel Economy (MPG)
| Model | City | Hwy | Combined |
| S8 AWD | 15 | 24 | 18 |
Dimensions
Length: 209.5 in
Width: 83.8 in (w/ mirrors)
Height: 58.5 in
Wheelbase 123.2 in
Seats 5
Cargo Capacity 12.5 cu-ft
Curb weight: 5,126 lbs
Warranty
| Coverage | Duration |
| Basic Vehicle | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 12 years / unlimited miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 years / unlimited miles |
| Scheduled Maintenance | 3 years / 30,000 miles |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 563-hp twin-turbo V8 delivers 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and near silence
- Long wheelbase provides 44.3 inches of rear legroom
- Standard heated, massaging, ventilated Valcona leather seats and B&O audio
- Understated design hides supercar performance in a luxury sedan
- Complimentary 3-year scheduled maintenance for 2026
Cons:
- EPA-estimated 18 MPG combined on premium fuel
- The trunk space of 12.5 cu-ft is small for a full-size sedan
- The dual-screen MMI system is aging compared to newer competitor interfaces
- Starting at $130,000 before options, pricing approaches AMG and M territory
- Eighth model year of the current generation, with no major updates
Verdict
The 2026 Audi S8 has been around for a long time, and it’s showing its age with a somewhat disjointed tri-screen layout, while trunk space and fuel consumption also leave much to be desired. However, it is still the quintessential luxury sleeper sedan with a 563-hp V8 slingshotting the LWB sedan body to 60 mph in a scant 3.8 seconds, yet it morphs into a quiet and sumptuous sanctuary in Comfort mode. The Executive Plus package adds everything that’s missing from the standard spec, and complimentary maintenance finally arrives this year, adding value.
Competitors
- Porsche Panamera
- BMW 760i
- Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance
About the author
Cobus F. Potgieter
Reviews and Features Editor