2012 Audi A8 L

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Rating8.3

Ranked #6 in 

Fullsize Sedan
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$84,700 - $133,500
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 1, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious and luxurious cabin

Rivals offer better ride quality

New W12 engine

Loaded with tech and luxury features

Unimpressive cargo capacity

Impressive handling considering the size

Specs & Features

$133,500

price

500 hp @ 6200 rpm

horsepower

463 lb.-ft. @ 4750 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

6.3L 12cyl AWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Audi A8 L Sedan is a fullsize sedan offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $78,500. For that price, it mainly competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan, the BMW 7 Series Sedan, and the Jaguar XJ Sedan. Between 2 trims, the A8 L offers 3 powertrains. The base engine is a 4.2L V8 capable of making 372 horsepower and 328 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 500 horsepower-making 6.3L W12 engine. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The A8 L reaches 60 mph from zero in 5.5 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5.2 seconds and 4.4 seconds with the 6.3L W12 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the A8 L can manage a combined fuel economy between 16 and 21 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 10 striking colors the A8 L comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Audi A8 L Sedan is an exceptionally well-made luxury sedan offered in two trims. Among them, we recommend getting the base L 4.2 trim along with the optional Executive Rear Seating package, which adds individual rear seats/console along with footrests, upgraded leather upholstery, a refrigerator, and a dual-screen DVD entertainment system.

Trims

    Base
    $84,700 onwards
    • Parking assist

Compare to similar cars

Price

$430,450- $470,350

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.66

Horsepower

543 hp @ 5250 rpm

Torque

664 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$290,000

Gasoline

8.44

505 hp @ 4200 rpm

752 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$73,700- $117,700

Gasoline

8.07

385 hp @ 6500 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$184,200- $209,600

Gasoline

8.62

552 hp @ 6100 rpm

479 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,500- $48,390

Gasoline

8.47

273 hp @ 6250 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

$71,000- $137,300

Gasoline

8.38

326 hp @ 5800 rpm

330 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$67,630- $75,480

Gasoline

8.25

380 hp @ 6400 rpm

367 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

5

Read Review

$78,750

Gasoline

8.06

372 hp @ 6800 rpm

328 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$75,200- $173,200

Gasoline

8.29

300 hp @ 6200 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3750 rpm

4

Read Review

$27,670- $47,670

Gasoline

7.83

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Audi A8 L vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.8 sec13.9 sec130 mph
    4.8 sec-188 mph
    4.9 sec-200 mph
    5.1 sec13.5 sec-
    5.4 sec13.5 sec121 mph
    5.4 sec13.8 sec-

    2012 Audi A8 L vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg23.8 gal.428.4/666.4 mi.
      2012 Audi A8

      Ranked #1

      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg23.8 gal.428.4/666.4 mi.
      19 mpg31 mpg21 mpg19.1 gal.-
      18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg21.1 gal.475.2/712.8 mi.
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg19 gal.323/475 mi.
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg21.7 gal.368.9/542.5 mi.

      2012 Audi A8 L vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        207.4 in.76.7 in.57.9 in.4.7 in.122.9 in.
        242.7 in.78 in.62 in.7 in.150.7 in.
        229.9 in.78.3 in.64.5 in.6 in.140.6 in.
        225.3 in.78 in.62 in.7 in.133.5 in.
        219.5 in.75.8 in.59.9 in.6 in.128.6 in.
        212.6 in.76.7 in.61 in.6 in.129.7 in.

        2012 Audi A8 L vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.2 cu.ft.121.9 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.
          11 cu.ft.130.5 cu.ft.11 cu.ft.
          16.3 cu.ft.106.3 cu.ft.68.8 cu.ft.
          16.7 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          18.7 cu.ft.105.8 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi A8

          Ranked #6

          13.2 cu.ft.115.1 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.

          2012 Audi A8 L vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            97.1 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.-
            72.2 cu.ft.11 cu.ft.11 cu.ft.76 ft.
            44.6 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.44.6 cu.ft.-
            15 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.-
            14.9 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.-
            68.8 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.68.8 cu.ft.-

            2012 Audi A8 L vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -970 lbs.4453 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1101 lbs.3999 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-4151 lbs.
              -1157 lbs.6340 lbs.
              -1190 lbs.4244 lbs.
              2012 Audi A8

              Ranked #2

              -1213 lbs.4409 lbs.

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