If we asked you to name the most comfortable cars on sale today, what would come to mind? Rolls-Royce, Bentley… maybe a Mercedes-Maybach? These are brands that epitomize driving comfort, not just in terms of a plush cabin, but in terms of cutting-edge suspension technology that isolates passengers from even the roughest roads. A sports sedan like the 2024 Audi S8 may not seem like it belongs in the same company, but this car has one of the most advanced suspension systems on the market – and it’s one of the most comfortable rides we’ve ever experienced.
2024 Audi S8
BuzzScore
- Base MSRP
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$123,400
- Engine
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4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
- Horsepower
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563 hp
- Exterior Design
- Performance
- Fuel Efficiency
- Interior & Cargo
- Infotainment & Features
- Reliability
- Safety
- Value For Money
The 2024 S8 comes with sport adaptive air suspension as standard, but there’s a pricey option that changes the game for the sedan. Asking $6k for predictive active suspension costs isn’t pocket change on a car that already starts at $123,400, but we think ticking that box is worthwhile; the change it delivers in performance and ride comfort is something to experience, and we’ll do our best to share that experience with you.
We’ve previously loved the limo-like experience in older model S8s, but we wanted to focus specifically on the suspension of the latest Audi S8. Our time with the S8 convinced us that even though the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class are newer than the S8, the Audi is the most entertaining and most comfortable of the three.
What Is Predictive Active Suspension?
Every S8 includes Audi adaptive air suspension as standard, which means the suave sedan rides on a cushion of air to protect occupants from bumps and jostles. Upgrading to the Predictive Active Suspension requires a $6,000 outlay, and that adds electro-mechanical actuators at all four corners, each with the ability to lift or lower by up to 3.3 inches in just half a second, depending on the road ahead.
The idea is to have suspension that can adapt to the road, softening the car before going over a pothole or firming it up to eliminate body roll through corners. Porsche has a similar suspension setup in the facelifted Panamera E-Hybrid, which actually improves over the already stupendous Audi system by nature of its more recent development.
How Does It Work?
Adaptive suspension is fairly common, but having a system that works as quickly as the S8’s setup requires significant power. The S8 gets a twin-turbocharged V8, shelling out a baritone barrage of 563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Augmenting the V8 is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, aiding with a smoother stop/start system and supplying enough juice to power the suspension setup.
A front-mounted camera scans the road ahead 18 times per second and feeds back to the suspension to determine how to respond to road conditions. The actuators respond in milliseconds, meaning they are never caught off guard by changes in pavement quality. For example, the S8 can read that it’s about to go over a speed bump, so the suspension adjusts and absorbs the bump, virtually smoothing out the road.
We tested the system by leaving an open cup of water in the cupholder and taking a speed bump at over 30 mph. The drink didn’t spill, and in our testing, it even seemed that the S8 rode smoother over certain obstacles the faster we went.
Performance Benefits
Aside from the obvious advantages in comfort, the Predictive Active Suspension provides outstanding performance benefits, which are important for a sports sedan – especially a heavy one (the S8 weighs 5,126 pounds). During standard driving, the suspension reduces force on the body when stopping or accelerating; it’s almost spooky how little the S8 disturbs its driver and their passengers when accelerating from a stop or hitting the brakes.
When the road ahead gets twisty, the S8 has the ability to lean into corners by up to three degrees, similar to a motorcycle. Putting the car into Dynamic mode preps the suspension for sporty driving, keeping it flat and level as it tackles bends. A car this heavy should flop left and right, but the suspension defies physics by firming up the inside wheels more than the outside ones. Working in conjunction with rear-wheel steering, the S8 feels so much smaller than its 209-inch length implies.
Luxury & Safety Features
Without driving it, the Predictive Active Suspension may be somewhat difficult to comprehend, especially if you are thinking about shelling out six grand for it. However, the system also adds in other convenience and safety features that are straightforward to grasp. Upon opening any of the S8’s doors, the suspension will lift by two inches, aiding ingress and egress. This isn’t a slow and gradual lift either; the S8 shoots towards the sky almost immediately.
The Audi S8 can also lift itself by a full 3.3 inches in the event of an impending crash – fortunately, we didn’t test this or have any means to do so. The idea behind this is that the S8’s pre sense safety system can detect an imminent collision, and in this event, the suspension lifts the car so that impact occurs on the lower crash structure rather than the upper parts, which won’t provide as much protection for occupants.
Other luxury suspension systems like Mercedes-Benz’s E-Active Body Control boast similar comfort and performance features, but Audi stands alone in safety benefits.
Enjoyable, No Matter Where You Sit
The S8’s cabin comes packed with features, including heated and ventilated massage seats, Audi’s MMI touch response dual screens, and even some carbon fiber panels that slide down to reveal the air vents on startup. It’s a first class experience, but provides less of a wow factor than the newer 7 Series or S-Class with their massive screens and disco-like ambient lighting. That’s a matter of personal preference, however, and the understated elegance of the S8 works for us.
A Rear Seat Comfort Package rolls in decadent amenities such as heating, ventilation, and massage for the back perches, heated armrests, memory function, Matrix LED lighting, and a remote control. Audi offers two versions: a five-seater for $4,200 or the four-passenger option as in our tester, which costs $5,900.
Choosing the four-seater option brings a center console with a built-in touchscreen to control audio, climate, sun blinds, and more. There are also physical controls, unlike the 7 Series, meaning you can quickly and easily adjust the rear seats. To truly cement the feeling of being in first class, the S8 four-passenger layout includes tray tables in the back, much like an airline seat. And since the suspension is so soft, you can actually eat a meal on those tables without worrying about anything falling or spilling.
The Stealth Wealth Sports Sedan
Pricing for the 2024 S8 starts at $123,400. A comparable BMW 760i xDrive costs $121,300, while a less powerful Mercedes S580 is most expensive at $128,150. Adding the $5,900 Rear Seat Comfort Package (Four Passenger), $6,000 Predictive Active Suspension, and $5,900 Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system with 3D sound, significantly increases the S8’s base price, as evidenced by our tester’s $150,345 all-in price tag.
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2024 Audi S8
- Base MSRP
-
$123,400
- Engine
-
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
- Horsepower
-
563 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
15/24 MPG
- Exterior Design
- Performance
- Fuel Efficiency
- Interior & Cargo
- Infotainment & Features
- Reliability
- Safety
- Value For Money
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2024 BMW 7 Series
- Base MSRP
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$96,400
- Engine
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3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
- Horsepower
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375 hp
- Fuel Economy
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25/31 MPG
- Exterior Design
- Performance
- Fuel Efficiency
- Interior & Cargo
- Infotainment & Features
- Reliability
- Safety
- Value For Money
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2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan
- Base MSRP
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$117,300
- Engine
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3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
- Horsepower
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442 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
20/28 MPG
- Exterior Design
- Performance
- Fuel Efficiency
- Interior & Cargo
- Infotainment & Features
- Reliability
- Safety
- Value For Money
The S8 feels less over-the-top than its BMW and Mercedes counterparts on account of its relative age. BMW and Mercedes each have newer, techier flagship sedans, but the S8 holds several advantages over the 7 Series and S-Class. The S8 is more entertaining to drive, offers more advanced suspension, and Audi’s approach to technology is more palatable and easier to use without getting a computer engineering degree.