2007 Audi A8

Change year or car

Change year or car

$68,900

starting MSRP

2007 Audi A8

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

5

Seating capacity

199.3” x 56.9”

Dimensions

All-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

The good:

  • Performance
  • Easy maneuverability for its size
  • Ride comfort
  • Interior space, especially in A8 L
  • Refinement

The bad:

  • Excessive downshifting on upgrades
  • Fuel economy
  • Price

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2007 Audi A8 trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2023

Notable features

  • 350-hp, 4.2-liter V-8
  • Bang &amp
  • Olufsen stereo option
  • Six-speed Tiptronic automatic
  • 10 airbags, including knee airbags
  • Standard- or extended-length body
  • W-12 engine available

2007 Audi A8 review: Our expert's take

By


The 2007 Audi A8 L W12 Quattro AT6 — we’ll explain all those numbers and letters in a moment — is 204.4 inches long, more than 2 inches longer than a Chevrolet Tahoe. With the interior outfitted like our test car’s, the Audi seats four.

As you might expect, those four people will be very happy. Well, three, anyway: Probably one of them has to pay for the car, which, in this case, lists for $135,170. This includes a $1,700 federal “gas guzzler” tax, due to the EPA rating of 14 miles per gallon in the city, 21 mpg on the highway. Premium gas, thanks.

The A8 has long been Audi’s flagship sedan, and the A8 L W12, which joined the lineup for 2005, is the flagship’s flagship. The “L” means it’s longer than the regular A8 by about 5 inches. And the W12 means it’s powered by a 6.0-liter, 450-horsepower 12-cylinder engine that is in sort of a “W” configuration, rather than a conventional “V.” Quattro is Audi’s version of all-wheel-drive, and no carmaker, except perhaps Jeep, knows more about that than Audi does. And the AT6 means automatic transmission, six speeds.

This is a strong, solid car, happiest when allowed to stretch its legs on the highway. Top speed is governed at 130 mph, which, on the German Autobahn, it would likely see regularly. Here, at 70 mph, it feels as though it’s idling.

Indeed, you would be hard-pressed to find a more sure-footed, comfortable vehicle in which to cover a great many miles in a short period of time. Expected luxury appointments are there — Valcona leather, a DVD rear-seat entertainment system, 16-way power front seats with power massage and ventilation, power rear side sunshades, a retractable color screen for the navigation system and rear-view camera, and dual-pane security glass, which still couldn’t keep out some surprisingly loud tire noise on concrete pavement.

Despite the standard 12-speaker Bose Surround Sound stereo with a six-disc CD changer, the test car had an upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system that cost $6,300, and featured, among many other things, a pair of little round tweeters that silently rose from the corners of the dashboard when the stereo was on. Overkill? Maybe, but there was also a $3,900 “leather appointment upgrade” to the already gorgeous leather upholstery.

Aside from the all-wheel-drive, the A8 L was absolutely loaded with safety and stability equipment, ranging from 10 air bags inside to a “high-pressure headlight washer system” outside. The air suspension continuously monitors load and speed, and adjusts the Audi’s height to match. Handling was much more crisp than any car this large should be able to manage; braking was excellent. There is really nothing much here to criticize, nor should there be at this price.

The regular, and exceptionally nice, Audi A8 costs $69,620, which is $65,550 less than this Audi A8 L W12. With the A8 models, discriminating and deep-pocketed customers have three big German sedans to consider, the other two being the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series, both of which also can be optioned up to stratospheric prices.

Those customers can argue the merits of the three cars at the country-club bar. We’ll just enjoy our occasional little test-drive peeks into a very different world.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at scsmith@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5699.

Consumer reviews

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.8
  • Interior 4.7
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.3
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.7

Most recent consumer reviews

5.0

Still going strong after 15 years

Hi just updating my previous review, Now owned this car for over 6 years, Car is coming up to 15 years old (2007 3.2FSI Quattro) this year and never failed an MOT while I have owned it, only Fail prior to me owning was a number plate light not working. Car still looks new, Aluminium body doesn't rust, and Paint polishes up very nice, (Phantom Black Metallic) Still turns heads and always getting comments on its condition, I owned a 2001 A8 prior to this one had that for 8 years, wasn't sure when I bought the car if it would be as good as the previous model, but it has been really great buy and is used as a daily driver, really glad I chose it, has outlasted all my friends cars and been far more reliable. As I stated before car is expensive on road tax but my insurance is really cheap so it evens out. It is still great to take on long runs with family providing lots of room for passengers and luggage, quite a rare car now very rarely see another on a journey, driving around town is very easy but can find some problems parking up, although not a long wheel base version it is still a big car and some car parks are a little tricky to use. Mine looks like the car from the Transporter films, So just left everything as I bought it, W12 Alloys and badges etc. Although a V6 3.2fsi you cant really tell the difference. Hope it lasts for many more years as I don't want to change it. only repairs I have done have been a new coolant pipe, Oil pump (very easy to change) water ingress to rear lights has been resolved (common problem through out this model range) and general wear items like brake discs, pads and tyres.

5.0

3 YEARS ON AND STILL RUNS SUPERB, WOULD BUY AGAIN

Great family car Plenty of room and comfort, have owned this one for 3 years, Easy to drive once you master the MMI controls, feels lighter and smaller when on the road, had very minor common problem with condensation in rear lights, mines Black with W12 alloys so always get comments about the Transporter films, Road Tax can be very expensive but insurance is cheap for me , get very good MPG for size of car and Quattro system is great in winter. I would buy this car again,

5.0

I love Audi?s

Perfect for day to day activities. I feel so stylish and lucky! Everybody who wants one should go out and buy one because it?s the best purchase.

See all 15 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Audi
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
48 months/50,000 miles
Corrosion
144 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
48 months/50,000 miles
Roadside assistance
48 months/unlimited distance
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
5 model years or newer/less than 60,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
1 year or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first)
Powertrain
N/A
Dealer certification required
125-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

Compare the competitors

See all 2007 Audi A8 articles