2021 Audi A8 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

2021 Audi A8

#8 in Luxury Large Cars

2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

#1 in Coupes

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55 TFSI quattro

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
A8 L 55 TFSI quattro	17	26	$81,312	$86,500
A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro	N/A	N/A	$90,148	$95,900
A8 L 60 TFSI quattro	15	23	$92,968	$98,900
S8 4.0 TFSI	13	22	$123,048	$130,900

Select style

AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
S-Class AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Convertible	15	24	$172,490	$183,500
S-Class AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Coupe	17	27	$161,116	$171,400
S-Class AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Sedan	17	26	$142,504	$151,600
S-Class AMG S 65 Sedan	13	22	$221,464	$235,600
S-Class Maybach S 560 4MATIC Sedan	16	25	$162,620	$173,000
S-Class Maybach S 650 Sedan	13	21	$190,397	$202,550
S-Class S 450 4MATIC Sedan	18	28	$91,415	$97,250
S-Class S 450 Sedan	19	28	$88,595	$94,250
S-Class S 560 4MATIC Coupe	17	26	$122,341	$130,150
S-Class S 560 4MATIC Sedan	17	27	$101,003	$107,450
S-Class S 560 Convertible	17	26	$130,284	$138,600
S-Class S 560 Sedan	17	27	$98,183	$104,450
S-Class S 560e Sedan	N/A	N/A	$103,165	$109,750

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$81,312

$172,490

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$86,500

$183,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1442 / month

$3058 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

A worthy flagship, the 2021 Audi A8 is thoroughly modern and eminently comfortable.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the benchmark for large luxury sedans.

TCC Likes

Smooth ride
Modern and luxurious interior
Thoroughly refined

Smooth, powerful engines
First-class cabin
Attention to detail

TCC Dislikes

Screens galore can confuse
Priced for the elite
Styling may be too conservative

Ready to be upgraded
Maybach doesn’t feel as special
Absurdly expensive at the top

Fuel Economy

City

17 mpg

15 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

24 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Large Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

44.3

Front Leg Room (in)

41.5

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

38.5

37.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.6

49.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.3

37.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

59.1

Second Hip Room (in)

53.1

Front Hip Room (in)

60.6

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

58.6

Track Width, Rear (in)

64.3

64.7

Wheelbase (in)

123.2

115.9

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

76.6

75.3

Track Width, Front (in)

64.7

Length, Overall (in)

208.7

198.9

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.5

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.8

14.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.8

15.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

21.7

24.3

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

42.2

Tires

Front Tire Order Code

STDTR

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/45HR19

P285/35YR20

Rear Tire Order Code

STDTR

Front Tire Size

P255/45HR19

P255/40YR20

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4773

4817

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 9

20 X 9.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Aluminum

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 9

20 X 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Engine

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

369 @ 1370

664 @ 2750

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.0 L/183

4.0 L/243

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

335 @ 5000

603 @ 5500

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric V-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.67

1.66

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

5.50

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.86

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.08

2.47

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.11

2.31

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.28

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.32

4.93

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

3.33

Trans Order Code

421

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

0.72

Summary

Vehicle Name

Audi A8 L

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Body Style

quattro LWB Sedan

4MATIC+ Cabriolet

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

8.5

10.0

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

520

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

2021 Audi A8

2021 Audi A8 is here; 2020s are gone
Lease: Up to $6,795 lease cash
Rebates: Up to $5,000 cash
Finance: From 1.49% APR for 60 months

Get Your Price

2020 Mercedes-Benz S Class

2020 S-Class is in stock
Over $13,000 in incentives (S560e)
Lease: From $959/month
Financing: 2.99% for 72 mo.

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