Makes›Audi›S8›2020

2020 Audi S8

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Audi S8
Pictured: Audi S8 - Tokyo Motor Show 2013 (cropped). Photo: Loadbeta, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid
MPG (best)
16 combined · 13 city / 22 hwy
Length
203.9 in
Curb weight
5,313 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 31% below the 2020 large car average of 23.3 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Audi S8 is a large car offered with a 4.0L 8-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 204 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,313 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (13 city / 22 highway), 31% worse than the 2020 large car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file.

What changed for 2020

  • New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • New hybrid version
  • Best combined MPG down from 18 to 16

Compared with 2018; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2018 S8 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan203.9 in76.8 in57.9 in118.1 in64.2 / 63.8 in5,313 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S8 Hybrid4.0L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive13 / 22 / 16-31%$5,150545
2/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
2/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $13,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.3 MPG2020 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 Audi S8.

Similar 2020 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Audi S8 (this car)16 MPGNot rated4
2020 BMW 5 Series28 MPGNot rated0
2020 BMW 7 Series24 MPGNot rated0
2020 Audi A627 MPG★★★★★9
2020 Lexus LS28 MPGNot rated2
2020 Lincoln Continental21 MPG★★★★★2
2020 Tesla Model S402 miNot rated11

Recalls (4)

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.
Tires · Jan 26, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Apr 26, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) · Feb 24, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V111000 · 238 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
Risk
An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine control module connector for a missing sealing pin, and install it, if necessary. The connector will also be inspected for corrosion, and replaced as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 12, 20121. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EV.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Audi S8 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2020 Audi S8 in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2020 Audi S8 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  3. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Audi S8. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S8 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 S818–Not rated00
2026 S818203.9 inNot rated10
2025 S818203.9 inNot rated10
2024 S818203.9 inNot rated10
2023 S818203.9 inNot rated20
2022 S817203.9 inNot rated30
2021 S816203.9 inNot rated81
2018 S818201.6 inNot rated10
2017 S818201.6 inNot rated20
2016 S818201.6 inNot rated36
2015 S820201.6 inNot rated46
2014 S818201.6 inNot rated56

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →