The Audi A8 L does 20.8 mpg combined (17.9 city, 26.6 highway), which works out to about $1,846 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 24.8 mpg while 4.2L 8-cyl does 18.5 — a difference of $528 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Audi A8 L engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 21.3 / 32.3 | 2013–2018 | $1,548 | |
| 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 19.8 / 27.2 | 2019–2023 | $1,714 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 17 / 27.5 | 2013–2018 | $1,892 | |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 15.9 / 23.4 | 2000–2012 | $2,076 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.154 |
| Fuel per year | $1,846 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,230 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$616 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,788 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.9 mpg | $2,145 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.6 mpg | $1,444 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (49%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the A8 L changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2021 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2020 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2019 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2017 | 18.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2016 | 21 / 32.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2015 | 21 / 32.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2014 | 20 / 31 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 27 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2012 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2001 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi A8 L get?
20.8 mpg combined on average — 17.9 in the city and 26.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2000–2023.
How much does a Audi A8 L cost in fuel per year?
About $1,846 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,230 over five years, or 0.154 dollars a mile.
Which A8 L engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 24.8 mpg, against 18.5 for the 4.2L 8-cyl — a difference of about $528 a year.
Is the A8 L good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg, computed across 4665 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.