DecodedCars2026 Audi A8
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- L 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 208.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,475 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 15% below the 2026 large car average of 25.9 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Audi A8 is a large car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 209 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,475 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 15% worse than the 2026 large car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 A8 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 A8 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L 4dr Sedan | 208.7 in | 76.8 in | 57.9 in | 123.2 in | 64.6 / 64.2 in | 4,475 lb |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A8 quattro Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -15% | $3,750 | 414 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Audi A8.
Similar 2026 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Audi A8 (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 BMW 5 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 BMW 7 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Porsche Panamera | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Lexus ES | 46 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Genesis G90 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Dec 19, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V900000 · 356,894 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Not every 2026 Audi A8 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2026 Audi A8 in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Other A8 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 A8 | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 A8 | 22 | 208.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 A8 | 22 | 208.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 A8 | 22 | 208.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 A8 | 22 | 208.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 A8 | 23 | 208.7 in | Not rated | 10 | 6 |
| 2020 A8 | 23 | 208.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 3 |
| 2019 A8 | 22 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 14 |
| 2018 A8 | 22 | 202 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 A8 | 22 | 202 in | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2016 A8 | 28 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 11 |
| 2015 A8 | 28 | 202 in | Not rated | 5 | 31 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →