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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $91,567–$117,364 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2026 Audi A8 at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.4/10, while Safety at 6.8/10 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. We score reliability at 7.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. Safety is a notable gap at 6.8/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.2/10. The Audi A8 delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.3/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $91,567–$117,364, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Audi A8 sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.4/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Our take: The 2026 Audi A8 is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in safety hold it back from being a strong recommendation. 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 2026 Audi A8 ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $91,567 starting price is about 231% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the A8 model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $91,567 | |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $91,567 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $88,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $86,233 | Read review → |
| 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 campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| 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… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2026 Audi A8's reliability 7.1/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 48% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2026 Audi A8 starts at $91,567 and ranges up to $117,364 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.