Audi A8 Saloon (03-11) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 16 January 2009
As a luxury machine, the A8 barely puts a foot wrong, offering satisfying performance, spacious and luxurious interiors along with solid build quality. But despite this it's never proved as popular as rivals like the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series. This may be down to the conservative styling and play-it-safe handling dynamics, but it still has plenty of gadgets to keep restless fingers amused. A long wheelbase version is available and in 2005 the car received a very minor makeover which included Audi's new-style grille and a new 4.2-litre diesel engine to replace the 4.0-litre diesel.
4 out of 5

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4.5 out of 5

Safety

As you'd expect from Audi, safety is paramount - eight airbags and several electronic driving aids line up alongside a complete alarm and immobiliser system. Sensible buyers will fit a tracking system. There's no Euro NCAP crash test rating (cars this expensive don't seemed to be crash tested for some reason...), but it ticks every box on the safety gadget list.

NCAP Test

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4 out of 5

Reliability

Build quality is lasting, and engines should be pretty reliable, but with so much emphasis on the electrics supporting the A8 (suspension, safety aids, MMI), there could be some major problems should any of it fail.

Car check problem points

Body

Dents are easy to come by in such a big car.

Engine/Gearbox

No problems reported.

Other

Two recalls (one in 2003 and one in 2006) to fix the driver's airbag - check that the work has been done. Watch out for failing electrics like window motors.