2023 Audi A8
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $86,233–$110,325 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2023 Audi A8 at 7.2/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.6/10, while Value at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 8.6/10, reliability is one of this sedan's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 7.8/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.8/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. The cabin tech earns 8.0/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $86,233–$110,325, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Audi A8 sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The 7.2/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2023 Audi A8 is a passable sedan but not a standout one. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2023 Audi A8 ranks #896 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 32% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $86,233 starting price is about 212% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Audi A8 scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.2 — and starts roughly $8,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $91,567 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $91,567 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $88,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $86,233 | |
| 2022 | 7.1/10 | $83,566 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $80,899 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $78,232 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $75,565 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $72,898 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $70,231 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.9/10 | $67,564 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $64,897 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Air bags / Frontal 15/02/2023 · 23V084000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S8 and A8 vehicles. During air bag assembly, the front-passenger occupant protection flap of the air bag may not have been folded correctly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… |
|---|---|
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 19/12/2025 · 25V900000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2023 Audi A8 that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2023 Audi A8's reliability 8.6/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #896 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 32% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2023 Audi A8 starts at $86,233 and ranges up to $110,325 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest A8 years we've rated are 2015 (6.8/10), 2017 (6.9/10), 2016 (6.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2023 Audi A8 are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Back over prevention (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.