That feeling when an Audi A8 glides past you, it’s not just a car, is it? It’s a statement. Quiet confidence. Understated power. If you’re clicking around reading this, you’re not just curious. You’re probably seriously asking yourself, “Could this be my next car?” And your head is spinning with questions. I get it. I’ve been there, pacing dealership lots and scouring forums at midnight.
So, straight talk: the A8 is Audi’s king. Their full-size luxury flagship is built to go head-to-head with the Mercedes S-Class. But forget dry specs for a second. You’re really wondering: “Will it bankrupt me in repairs?” “Which year is the sweet spot?” “What’s the real price tag?”
You’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent years in the driver’s seat of cars like this and helped dozens of friends navigate this exact purchase. Consider me your guide. In this article, I’m breaking down the 2015, 2019, and 2022 A8 like we’re comparing notes in my garage. I’ll give you the honest pros, the whispered-about cons, the maintenance secrets, and real prices I’ve seen lately in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
The 2015 Audi A8: The Established Benchmark
Think of the 2015 model as the “smart money” A8. It represents the final, polished version of a generation that truly made Audi a heavyweight in the luxury flagship arena. Today, it offers a stunning amount of car for the money, letting you experience that vault-like quality and tech without the brutal depreciation hit.
What’s Under the Hood & Real-World Specs
You’ve got choices here. The sweet spot for most is the supercharged 3.0L TFSI V6. It’s smooth, plentifully powerful at 333 horsepower, and generally the most reliable of the bunch. Craving more? Hunt down the 4.0L TFSI V8(420 hp, sometimes 435 hp, depending on market and tune) for effortless thrust, or the ultra-rare W12 for ultimate bragging rights.
Why It Still Feels Modern: Tech & Cabin
Slide inside, and that signature Audi minimalism is everywhere. The standout trick is the power-retractable MMI screen—it still feels cool. The materials? Flawless. Rear-seat space is enormous and supremely comfortable. For its time, it was a tech leader with available features like adaptive cruise with a traffic-jam assist that made highway commutes a breeze.
The Owner’s Nitty-Gritty (What You Actually Need to Know)
Here’s the practical stuff they don’t always mention:
- Towing Capacity: Yes, you can actually use this luxury sedan for work. Properly equipped, it can tow a solid 5,290 lbs (2,400 kg), depending on market and configuration.
- Oil Details (For the 3.0T V6): If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll need about 6.7 quarts (6.4L) of full synthetic oil that meets the VW 502 00 spec. Don’t cheap out here.
- Gas Mileage: Expect about 18 mpg city / 28 mpg highway. Not bad for a car of this size and presence.
The Bottom Line: What Will It Cost Me?
This is where the 2015 shines. You get near-silent cruising, incredible build quality, and tons of features for used Camry money. Based on my recent digging through listings:
- USA: $22,000 – $28,000
- Canada: CAD 30,000 – CAD 38,000
- UK: £18,000 – £24,000
- Australia: AUD 45,000 – AUD 60,000
My Best Advice on Finding One:
Your safest bet is an Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) car from a dealer. It comes with a strong warranty. If you’re looking private party or independent lots, service history is EVERYTHING. Scour AutoTrader, Cars.com, or CarGurus, but make that full maintenance record your non-negotiable.
So, the 2015 is the established, value-packed choice. But what if you’re obsessed with having the very latest tech? Well, my friend, that’s when we need to talk about the game-changing 2019 model…
The 2019 Audi A8: The Digital Leap
The 2019 Audi A8 is where Audi took a sledgehammer to its own rulebook. If 2015 is your brilliant, reliable professor, 2019 is the Silicon Valley prodigy, breathtakingly smart, but you might occasionally miss the simple things. I remember the first time I sat in one; the sheer quiet of the cabin before I even started it was unnerving. It felt less like a car and more like a library on wheels.
Forget Buttons, You’re a Pilot Now
Open the door and you’ll see it: a sweeping dashboard of black glass. The physical knobs and buttons are almost all gone, replaced by two gorgeous, high-resolution touchscreens. They give a satisfying, physical click when you press them. It’s incredibly cool. But here’s the real talk from my week with one: it’s a fingerprint magnet, and in direct sunlight, it can be a glare-fest. You will look down to adjust the AC. It’s a trade-off for that ultra-clean, futuristic look.
Under the Hood: Smarter, Not Just Stronger
The common engine is still a 3.0L V6, but now it’s paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system (that’s the “55 TFSI” badge). This isn’t for electric-only driving; it’s for making the car eerily smooth. The start-stop is seamless, and it gives a tiny boost off the line. It still has great power (about 335 hp), but it feels more sophisticated than raw.
The Owner’s Real-World Checklist:
- Towing: Still a workhorse. Properly equipped, it’s rated for 5,511 lbs.
- Oil – This is Critical: This is the biggest change. You must use 0W-20 oil that meets the VW 508 00 specification. The old 5W-30 from the 2015 will not work and can cause damage. It takes about 7.4 quarts. Do not let a quick-lube place get this wrong.
- Gas Mileage: Expect 18 city / 27 highway mpg. The hybrid system shines most on steady highway trips, where you might even nudge past that number.
The Price for the Future:
You’re paying for that groundbreaking tech. For a clean 2019 55 TFSI:
- USA: $46,000 – $63,000
- Canada: CAD 63,000 – CAD 83,000
- UK: £41,000 – £54,000
- Australia: AUD 92,000 – AUD 128,000
My Take: The 2019 is for the unabashed tech lover. It’s an experience that will wow you every day. But get a long test drive. Make sure you’re okay with the touchscreen life. And absolutely spring for a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist—you want to make sure all those digital brains are healthy.
So, the 2019 Audi A8 is the thrilling, all-in tech bet. But what if you told me, “I love that, but I wish it felt a bit more settled and had a little more firepower?” Friend, you’ve just perfectly described the 2022.
The 2022 Audi A8: The Polished Powerhouse
Think of the 2022 as the “Director’s Cut” of the 2019. All the groundbreaking ideas are there, but they’ve been refined, the software is snappier, and Audi decided to offer a version that can shame supercars. This is the one you buy when you want no compromises.
The Big News: Enter the S8
Yes, the superb mild-hybrid V6 carries over. But the story here is the S8. This isn’t just an option box; it’s a different animal. Under that long hood lies a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 with 563 horsepower. I drove one on a winding back road, and the contrast is hilarious—one moment you’re in a silent luxury cocoon, the next you’re pinned to your seat with a subtle V8 growl. It redefines what this car can be.
Refinements You Can Feel
Audi smoothed the rough edges. The infotainment software is faster and more intuitive. The materials, already great, feel even more special. They added more standard luxury features, so you’re less likely to feel like you’re missing out. It’s the same stunning digital cockpit, but it just… works better. It feels like Audi listened to every early critique of the 2019 and addressed it.
Practicalities (No Surprises, But Stay Vigilant):
- Oil: The rule hasn’t changed: Only 0W-20, VW 508 00 spec. This is non-negotiable.
- Towing: Same robust 5,500 lbs capacity.
- Gas Mileage: Similar to the 2019 for the V6. The S8? Let’s just say you buy it for the smiles, not the smiles per gallon.
The Cost of the Complete Package:
You’re paying for near-new condition and the pinnacle of the generation.
- USA: $74,000 – $94,000 (Add a hefty premium for the S8)
- Canada: CAD 98,000 – CAD 124,000
- UK: £64,000 – £84,000
- Australia: AUD 148,000 – AUD 188,000
Bottom Line: The 2022 A8 is the definitive version. It offers the 2019 revolutionary tech without the early-adopter quirks, plus the mind-bending option of the S8. If your budget allows, this is the one. And here, more than ever, an Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty is your best friend for peace of mind. It’s the complete, confident masterpiece.
Audi A8 Model Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | 2015 Audi A8 (D4) | 2019 Audi A8 (D5) | 2022 Audi A8 (D5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | D4 (Facelift) | D5 (New Generation) | D5 (Refreshed) |
| Base Engine | 3.0L Supercharged V6 | 3.0L Turbo Mild-Hybrid V6 | 3.0L Turbo Mild-Hybrid V6 |
| Key Tech | Retractable MMI, Early AI Suite | Dual Touchscreens, Level 3 AI Pilot* | Latest MMI, Optional S8 Performance |
| Interior Vibe | Minimalist, Button-Based | Digital, All-Touch, Futuristic | Refined Digital, Ultra-Luxury Focus |
| Towing Capacity | ~5,290 lbs | ~5,511 lbs | ~5,511 lbs |
| Oil Type (3.0T) | Synthetic (VW 502 00) | 0W-20 Synthetic (VW 508 00) | 0W-20 Synthetic (VW 508 00) |
| Approx. Used Price (V6) | $22k – $28k (US) | $48k – $65k (US) | $75k – $95k (US) |
| Best For | Value-Driven Luxury | Tech Pioneer & Modern Design | Latest Features & Near-New Condition |
Your Audi A8 Questions, Answered
Let’s tackle those burning questions you might be asking out loud or typing into search.
1. How much horsepower does a 2015 Audi A8 have?
It depends on the engine! The most common 3.0L supercharged V6 has a healthy 333 horsepower. Step up to the 4.0L TFSI V8, and you’re looking at 435 hp, while the range-topping W12 offered a massive 500 hp.
2. How much does an A8 cost?
The cost varies wildly by year and condition. A used 2015 can be found from around $22,000, while a nearly-new 2022 model might command over $90,000. A brand-new 2024 A8 starts well over $90,000 MSRP.
3. What Audi A8 has a V8?
Almost every generation offers a V8 option! Look for the 4.0 TFSI model in the 2015, 2019, and 2022 lineups. The 2022 model also offers the ferocious V8 in the S8 performance model.
4. What engine is in the 2022 A8?
The standard engine for the 2022 A8 L is a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The available high-performance option is the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S8.
5. How much is a 2022 Audi?
Specifically, a used 2022 Audi A8 (the flagship sedan) typically ranges from $75,000 to $95,000 in the US, depending on mileage, configuration (A8 L, S8), and options.
Final Thoughts: Is the Audi A8 Right for You?
Want maximum luxury for your money? The 2015 Audi A8 is a brilliant, solid-value entry into this world. Crave jaw-dropping tech and a modern vibe? The 2019 Audi A8 delivers that “future is here” feeling, fingerprint-loving screens and all. If having the absolute latest, most polished iteration is the goal, the 2022 (or the thunderous S8) is your finish line.
No matter the year, your single most important step is verifying its history. A full service record is non-negotiable. For the newer, tech-packed models, an Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty is the ultimate safety net.
Choose with your head for the history, but let your heart pick the experience. You really can’t go wrong.