Verdict
A
Luxury Saloon · Germany · 1994-Present
Audi A8
Audi A8 — spec data and generation history.
Years
1994-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Luxury Saloon
Audi's flagship — aluminium-bodied luxury saloon to take on Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. D2 (1994–2002) introduced the ASF aluminium space frame. D3 (2002–2010), D4 (2010–2017), D5 (2018–Present). Petrol 3.0 / 4.0 / 6.0 W12; diesel 3.0 / 4.0 TDI; PHEV 60 TFSI e from 2020. S8 / RS6-related variants covered separately.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
D4 2010-2017 → D5 2018-Present
BHP +10 bhp
Torque +0 Nm
0–60 mph −0.2 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1994-2002
D2
→
4.2 V8 quattro — 290 bhp, 0-62 in 6.7s.
Verdict
B
BHP
290
0–60
6.7 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
17 mpg
Used
$4,400-$15,000
- + Aluminium body — light
- + S8 above (Transporter fame)
- − Aluminium body specialist
- − Heavy thirst
2002-2010
D3
→
4.2 TDI quattro — 326 bhp, 0-62 in 5.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
326
0–60
5.9 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
23 mpg
Used
$4,400-$15,000
- + Bigger cabin
- + Single-frame grille
- − Air suspension wear
- − Heavy thirst on V8 / W12
2010-2017
D4
→
4.0 TFSI biturbo quattro — 435 bhp, 0-62 in 4.5s.
Verdict
A
BHP
435
0–60
4.5 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
23 mpg
Used
$11,000-$28,000
- + MMI cabin tech
- + Cylinder-on-demand 4.0 V8
- − EA189 Dieselgate (some)
- − Heavy
2018-Present
D5
→
60 TFSI e PHEV — 449 bhp, 0-62 in 4.9s.
Verdict
A
BHP
449
0–60
4.9 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
94 mpg
Used
$41,000-$114,000
- + Predictive air suspension
- + MHEV / PHEV variants
- − Heavy
- − Premium pricing
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1994-2002 · D2
- Aluminium body specialist required
- Air suspension
- 4.2 V8 chain
2002-2010 · D3
- 4.2 TDI swirl flap
- 3.0 TDI cam follower
- Air suspension wear
2010-2017 · D4
- EA897 V6 TDI carbon
- EA189 Dieselgate (some)
- MMI freezes
2018-Present · D5
- MHEV 48V faults
- MMI freezes pre-2020
- Predictive air suspension wear
- PHEV charge port latch
Rivals
Mercedes S-Class · BMW 7 Series · Lexus LS · Jaguar XJ