2023 Audi S8 Review: Midlife Crisis Averted

So you’re at that age where you’re considering getting the 2023 Audi S8 as your daily driver, huh? I totally get it, it’s not just a midlife crisis. Truth be told, I would love to age gracefully in the Audi S8 myself; To live a life full of vigour, where every iteration has found its way to tastefully surpass the one before it. Not in a bad, or insignificant way, but in a way where you’re constantly reminded of the legacy this stable name holds, and the hard work you’ve put in over the years to be able to afford this machine.

For 2023, Audi has decided to keep upgrades to the S8 simple, but prioritised those timeless yet futuristic elements without compromising any of the performance cues that draws the crowd, of any generation, to this masterpiece. This is my 2023 Audi S8 Review.

The Audi S8 is Audi’s flagship vehicle, a full-sized luxury saloon that may seem old fashioned in a world where SUV’s and alternative energy vehicles are the trend. What really makes the S8 stick, for lack of a better word, is the plethora of technology and that twin-turbo V8 engine baked into this land yacht. Sadly, while technology will stay abound, future A8 models will be fully electric, and be built on the Audi Grandsphere concept car. This is as the automaker is moving aggressively into the electric market, planning to launch only EVs starting in 2026 and end sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2033.

For now, you’ll only find the S8 mated to the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which is good for 420 kW of power and 800 Nm of torque. Which is what we’re here for.

First Impressions Count

The 2023 Audi S8 sports a refreshed look, featuring updated front and rear styling that contribute to a more assertive aesthetic. While boasting the understated elegance expected of a luxury sedan, the S8 also demonstrates agility typically reserved for a sporty coupe. It strikes the perfect balance between sleekness and a powerful presence, unlike its competitors. The Mercedes S-Class appears overly sleek, and BMW’s 7 Series design direction seems, well, uncertain at the moment. The S8 stands out with its confident and refined silhouette.

Up front, the redesigned grille, now larger, incorporates less chrome for a more modern aesthetic. Its L-shaped accents complement the twin-turbo V8 better than the horizontal bars of the outgoing model. Above the grille you’ll find new signature headlights with Digital Matrix Lighting as standard. This uses 1.3 million micro-mirrors each measuring less than a 10th of a millimeter that Audi says can adjust five thousand times a second for precise adaptive dispersal of photons, which in turns ensures light gets projected in just the right areas for a comfortable drive for you and other motorists.

Once you make your way to the rear, you’ll notice that it gains a wider lower skirt, widening the visual stance and emphasizing the quad exhaust pipes, a clear differentiator from the standard A8. New OLED taillights mirror the segmented lighting from the front and adopt a distinct pattern when switched to Dynamic mode, subtly communicating your spirited intentions at night.

The S8 comes in at 5.1m long, just under 2m wide and 1.4m tall. Those number may seem intimidating but rest assured, it could perfectly fit in my standard house garage, while leaving plenty of room for me and my family to manoeuvre around it.

First Drive

The S8 exhibits a remarkable range of personalities. In Comfort mode, it glides effortlessly with the grace of a luxury yacht, shielding passengers from outside noise. This experience is enabled by an incredibly advanced active air suspension powered by the car’s 48-volt mild hybrid system. This technology allows the suspension to raise or lower individual sides of the car by up to 3 inches in mere milliseconds, reacting swiftly to potential impacts.

Beyond its reactive capabilities, the suspension actively keeps the car level over uneven terrain. Similar to high-end Mercedes models, a camera scans the road ahead, allowing the suspension to pre-emptively adjust for upcoming bumps and dips. This proactive approach effectively transforms speed bumps into gentle ripples and smooths out even the roughest surfaces. Unfortunately, this doesn’t make potholes disappear, we should all know the state of our roads by now. Additionally, the S8 automatically raises itself for comfortable entry and exit, further enhancing its user-friendliness. I feature I really never knew I needed until now. It is darn useful.

Each time I’m behind the wheel of the Audi S8 it reminds me of something special, and I just can’t figure out what it is.

To really get a feel for the Audi S8, we ventured to the North of Durban for a weekend escape. Its powerful twin-turbo V8 engine comes with an expected fuel cost. Here highway consumption came in at a respectable 9.6 liters per 100 km, city driving pushed that figure to over 19 liters per 100 km. However, the engine features cylinder deactivation to conserve petrol when coasting, seamlessly shutting down cylinders to improve efficiency.

Despite its impressive 2.3 ton weight, the S8 exhibits remarkable agility when switched to Dynamic mode. This transformation is orchestrated by a suite of advanced technologies, including an active suspension system, torque-vectoring rear differential, and all-wheel drive with four-wheel steering.

In Dynamic mode, the suspension and sway bars actively counteract body roll, allowing the S8 to navigate winding roads with exceptional composure. The torque-vectoring rear differential precisely distributes the power to the wheels for optimal grip and handling. Elsewhere, the four-wheel steering system maneuvers the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds, enhancing agility and contributing to a surprisingly nimble feel for a car of its size.

At higher speeds, the four-wheel steering system adjusts both front and rear wheels in the same direction for improved stability and lane tracking.

It’s The Finer Things

The inside of the S8 is a great place to be in. Here, Audi has prioritised comfort above everything else. The seats feel amazing, and they spared no expense to the quality of materials used. The cockpit is less busy than that of the S-Class and better integrated than that of the 7 Series. If it weren’t for the Piano Black finishes, the interior design would easily be one of my ultimate favourites by far.

The infotainment system itself remains the dual-touchscreen setup Audi launched in 2019. It can connect wireless to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and supports the Audi app. While responsiveness has improved, using the system still requires diverting attention from the road for way too long for my liking. To add to the frustration, essential functions like drive mode selection and hazard lights require multiple touches on a flush panel, lacking the immediacy of physical buttons.

After spending 7 days with the S8, it became clear that instead of revolutionizing the luxury sedan landscape, the Audi S8 confidently refines the formula. Unlike some of its competitors, it strikes a distinct balance between plush comfort and dynamic handling, catering to drivers who appreciate both. The S8 also integrates technology seamlessly, avoiding the sensory overload that can plague other options like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

While it may not lure SUV enthusiasts away from their spacious shuttles, the S8 stands out as a compelling choice within the luxury sedan segment. For discerning buyers seeking a blend of refinement, performance, and intuitive technology, the S8 deserves serious consideration.

Our test unit is priced at R3 029 100.

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Posted By

Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.