A8 vs S-Class
Two brands, one target. The A8 from Audi and the S-Class from Mercedes-Benz compete head to head for midsize luxury car shoppers. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 2 of 4 areas go to the S-Class, and the gap is widest in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance S-Class wins
- Fuel Economy & Range S-Class wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance3.1
- Fuel Economy & Range1.3
- Engine & Performance5.5
- Fuel Economy & Range3.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The S-Class has 107 hp more power
This is a headline difference. With 442 hp to the A8’s 335 hp, the S-Class has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The S-Class has better fuel economy
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the S-Class: 24 mpg against 22 mpg. The S-Class uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The S-Class has better highway fuel economy
Put simply, the S-Class is far ahead here: 31 mpg compared with 26 mpg. The S-Class uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
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The S-Class has 44 lb-ft more torque
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The S-Class’s 413 lb-ft beats the A8’s 369 lb-ft. The S-Class’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The S-Class has better city fuel economy
The S-Class wins this narrowly, 21 mpg against 20 mpg, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
S-Class leads
The S-Class dominates the engine & performance section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The S-Class adds 107 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Bottom line for engine & performance: the S-Class has the edge.
Total system output
A8: 335 hp S-Class: 442 hp The S-Class’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
A8: 369 lb-ft S-Class: 413 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
S-Class leads
When it comes to fuel economy & range, the S-Class is comfortably ahead. In its favor, the S-Class has better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. If this section decides it for you, choose the S-Class.
Fuel economy (combined)
A8: 22 mpg S-Class: 24 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (highway)
A8: 26 mpg S-Class: 31 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
In the space & practicality category, the A8 and the S-Class land in almost the same place. For space & practicality, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The A8 and the S-Class match each other closely in this area. Net result on off-road & towing: level.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A8 | S-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (48V mild hybrid) | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 3.0L turbo V6 | 3.0L turbo I6 |
| Total system output | 335 hp | 442 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft | 413 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | AWD (4MATIC) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A8 | S-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | 24 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | 21 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 26 mpg | 31 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A8 | S-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A8 | S-Class |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A8 | S-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the S-Class if…
- you want more power (442 hp vs 335 hp)
- you want better combined fuel economy (24 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (31 mpg vs 26 mpg on the highway)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (413 lb-ft vs 369 lb-ft of torque)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A8 or the S-Class?
On the specs compared here, the S-Class makes more sense for most buyers; the A8 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
The A8 and the S-Class come from rival camps, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, but they’re chasing the same person: you. Honestly, 107 hp more power on the S-Class does a lot of the persuading for me. The S-Class also scores with better fuel economy.
Who should get which? The A8 for the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the S-Class for engine & performance.
My pick: the S-Class.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.