Highs Isolates you from the chaos of the world but still engaging to drive, user-friendly touchscreen controls, exquisite interior materials.<br /> Lows Business-formal styling, V-6 lacks personality, skimpy warranty coverage.<br /> Verdict Packed with innovation, the Audi A8 is easy to drive and unexpectedly athletic.<br /><br />Overview<br />Anyone seeking an executive sedan that offers convenience and technological innovation in large quantities should take a hard look at the 2020 Audi A8. Although some of its leading-edge tech features haven't yet made it to the United States, this is a very advanced car that simplifies the act of driving, while its lavish cabin shields you from the chaos of your commute. It's also pretty entertaining for an extra-large sedan (Audi sells only the long-wheelbase A8 version on our shores), thanks to exceptionally precise steering and impressive grip through corners. If there's anything not to like, it might be the car's all-business aesthetics. Rivals have more character—in some cases, a lot more. If you're okay with that, the Audi A8 is a fine choice for an elite luxury sedan.<br />What's New for 2020?<br /><br />Audi expands the 2020 A8 lineup with a plug-in hybrid model: The A8 60 TFSI e sedan combines the 3.0-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack located beneath the trunk. Combined output is 443 horsepower. <br /><br />Although the value of the 2020 A8 55 TFSI is undeniable compared with six-cylinder German rivals, we'd go for the standard gas-powered 60 TFSI model to get Audi's potent, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. Standard content is basically identical between the two, but the 60 TFSI has a slightly longer options sheet. We'd select the Executive package, which upgrades the front seats with ventilation and massage features, while adding a heated steering wheel and a very useful camera system with 3D imaging, as well as the Driver Assistance package, which provides adaptive cruise control with Level 2 self-driving capability.<br /><br />Engine, Transmission, and Performance<br /><br />The base 55 TFSI comes with a turbocharged V-6 rated at 335 horsepower, while the 60 TFSI has a 453-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. Both versions use a light-hybrid system in which the alternator doubles as a starter (belt-alternator-starter, or BAS, in Audi lingo). An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. The plug-in hybrid 60 TFSI e combines the V-6 with an electric motor built into the torque converter of a modified version of this transmission and a rear-mounted 14.1-kWh battery pack. The 2020 Audi A8 TFSI e is rated at 443 hp. So far, we've only tested the V-6 version, which sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds at our test track. Among six-cylinder executive sedans, that's on par with the Mercedes-Benz S450 but a few tenths off the rapid pace of the BMW 740i. This engine is smooth, but there's no fanfare to its power delivery, and sound-deadening measures are so extensive that it's practically inaudible ...
