2022 Audi A8

The 2022 Audi A8 is a model of refinement, comfort, and technology. The A8 is a full-size sedan that takes on some of the best, most opulent cars on the planet, such as the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Porsche Panamera.

The A8 gets a mild refresh for 2022, with a slightly different look, and a simplified model lineup that drops the base and plug-in hybrid versions of the V-8. Audi also lowers the price of the S8 by moving some standard equipment into packages.

The new front and rear ends don’t change the 2022 Audi A8’s basic look, which is stately and stylish without ruffling feathers. A large version of Audi’s trapezoidal grille dominates the front, and the wide and long body is lightly decorated with crisp lines.

The cabin exudes tech thanks to three screens, but it doesn’t forget luxury with beautiful leather, aluminum, and wood or carbon fiber.

Space is plentiful front and rear thanks to the standard long-wheelbase (short wheelbase versions are sold elsewhere), and Audi provides all the amenities for passenger comfort. The trunk is small not only for a big car but for any car in general.

ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION

The 2022 Audi A8 comes with a turbocharged V-6 rated at 335 horsepower which is augmented by a 48-volt hybrid system. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. At our test track, the A8 we tested sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Among six-cylinder executive sedans, that puts the A8 a few tenths off the rapid pace of the BMW 740i and the Mercedes-Benz S500. The Audi’s engine is smooth, but there’s no fanfare to its power delivery, and sound-deadening measures are so extensive that it’s practically inaudible with the windows up.

The 2022 Audi A8 offers a very Audi-like blend of athleticism and ride comfort. An adjustable air suspension and driver-adjustable adaptive dampers are standard. With the base suspension, the Audi A8 isolates you from road irregularities but can still hammer down a back road when the mood strikes.

ENERGY AND REAL-WORLD MPG

The EPA estimates the 2022 A8 sedan with the standard six-cylinder powertrain will earn 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. We can’t evaluate the real-world mpg for the A8 until we test it on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. For more information about the 2022 Audi A8’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH

Impressive passenger space is a 2022 Audi A8 hallmark, and its long wheelbase ensures that rear-seat passengers are well accommodated.

Five-passenger seating is standard, but an optional four-passenger seating package deletes the rear center seat and provides a pair of power-adjustable rear seats with heating, ventilation, and massage as well as a heated foot-massage function and a pair of individual entertainment tablets (while reducing power adjustments for the front passenger seat to make room for all that).

Fine materials are in abundance, and you can order up extended leather and a small forest’s worth of wood inlays. But much like the 2022 Audi A8‘s exterior, the interior ambiance is sober and not as lavish as that of the Mercedes S-class. Trunk capacity is modest for a big luxury sedan at just 13 cubic feet.

IN-VEHICLE, INFOTAINMENT, AND INTERCONNECTIONS

Audi’s excellent 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster is standard as are the 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower haptic center screens with the MMI Touch Response system. There’s a lone volume knob for the audio system since most functions are controlled through the touchscreens.

It can be overwhelming initially, but the system is quick to respond and highly configurable, allowing owners to choose their own dedicated buttons on the lower screen while offering permanent buttons for navigation, weather, telephone functions, and radio on the left side of the upper screen.

Just know that you’ll wear out the included microfiber wipe trying to remove fingerprints. Upfront, there are two USB ports with combined data and charging capability, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone integration are standard along with Amazon Alexa compatibility. Wi-Fi via Audi Connect Plus is available for an additional subscription fee.

PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS

The 2022 Audi A8 has much the same driver-assistance technologies as other high-end sedans. When equipped with Traffic Jam Assist (Driver Assistance package), the A8 will help you out with acceleration and braking in heavy traffic, but your hands can’t leave the wheel for more than a few seconds.

For more information about the 2022 Audi A8’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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