Audi A8 vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AudiA8 | Mercedes-BenzS-Class Saloon | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | November 2017 | December 2020 |
| Performance | ||
| Powertrain | Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid |
| Power | 282–563 bhp | 308–577 bhp (better) |
| 0–62 mph | 3.8–5.9 s (better) | 4.4–5.7 s |
| Top speed | 155 mph | 155 mph |
| Engine or motors | 3.0-litre V6 TDI (286 PS), 3.0-litre V6 TFSI plug-in hybrid with a 100 kW electric motor (462 PS system output), 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 TFSI (571 PS, S8); the TDI and S8 have 48-volt mild hybrid technology; bhp converted from Audi's PS figures | S 350 d: 2,989 cc six-cylinder diesel, 230 kW (313 hp) plus 17 kW mild-hybrid motor; S 500: 2,998 cc six-cylinder petrol, 330 kW (449 hp) plus 17 kW; S 450 e: 240 kW petrol six plus 120 kW electric motor, 320 kW (435 hp) system; S 580 e: 330 kW petrol six plus 120 kW motor, 430 kW (585 hp) system; bhp converted from Mercedes' kW figures |
| Torque | 600 Nm (50 TDI), 700 Nm system (60 TFSI e), 800 Nm (S8) | 650 Nm (S 350 d), 600 Nm (S 500), 680 Nm system (S 450 e), 750 Nm system (S 580 e) |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic | 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic |
| Drive | quattro four-wheel drive | All-wheel drive (4MATIC); rear-wheel drive (S 450 e L) |
| Range and charging | ||
| Zero-emission range (WLTP) | 36 miles | 60–67 miles (better) |
| Battery | 14.4 kWh | 21.96 kWh (better) |
| Fastest charging | – | 60 kW |
| Economy (WLTP) | 24.5–63 mpg | 33.7–117.8 mpg (better) |
| Range detail | 60 TFSI e WLTP electric range: 33–36 miles combined (A8), 32–36 miles (A8 L), depending on trim | WLTP electric range 67 miles (S 450 e L) or 60 miles (S 580 e 4MATIC L); equivalent all-electric range 68 or 62 miles |
| Charging | 60 TFSI e has a 14.4 kWh net (17.9 kWh gross) battery; AC charging, 150 minutes to full | Plug-in hybrids: 21.96 kWh usable battery; 11 kW AC (0–100% in 2.25 hours); DC up to 60 kW (10–80% in 20 minutes) |
| Efficiency | WLTP combined: 37.3–40.3 mpg (50 TDI), 36.9–40.1 mpg (A8 L 50 TDI), 55.9–63.0 mpg weighted (60 TFSI e), 24.4–24.6 mpg (S8); depends on trim. Audi UK lists 134.5–156.9 mpg for the A8 L TFSI e on a separate battery and powertrain page, but its current configurator has no selectable car. | WLTP combined: 44.2 mpg (S 350 d), 33.7 mpg (S 500), 117.8 mpg and 17 kWh/100 km (S 450 e), 97.5 mpg and 17.5 kWh/100 km (S 580 e) |
| CO2 emissions | 183–200 g/km (50 TDI), 102–115 g/km (60 TFSI e), 260–263 g/km (S8), WLTP combined | 168 g/km (S 350 d), 191 g/km (S 500), 55 g/km (S 450 e) and 65 g/km (S 580 e) weighted |
| Practicality | ||
| Body | Saloon | Saloon |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot | – | 515 litres |
| Length | 5,190 mm | 5,304 mm |
| Width | 1,945 mm | 1,921 mm |
| Weight | From 2,020 kg | From 2,244 kg |
| Boot | 505 litres on 50 TDI and S8; 390 litres on 60 TFSI e | 515 litres (S 350 d), 535 litres (S 500), 350 litres (plug-in hybrids) |
| Towing | 2,300 kg braked (50 TDI and S8) | 2,100 kg braked, 750 kg unbraked (not listed for the plug-in hybrids) |
| Size | 5,190 mm long, 1,945 mm wide, 1,473 mm high (A8 50 TDI); A8 L is 5,320 mm long and 1,488 mm high, with a 3,128 mm wheelbase; unladen weight is 2,020 kg (A8 50 TDI, Audi UK) to 2,340 kg (A8 L 60 TFSI e, Audi German technical sheet) | 5,304 mm long (long wheelbase), 1,921 mm wide without mirrors (2,123 mm with), 1,503 mm high; 11.7–11.9 m turning circle; kerb weight 2,244 kg (S 500) to 2,571 kg (S 580 e); 76-litre fuel tank (67 litres plug-in hybrids) |
| Tech and safety | ||
| Infotainment | – | MBUX with generative-AI MBUX Virtual Assistant |
