The Audi S8 has seen some changes for 2022, but is it enough to keep up with the competition?

The Audi S8 is the high-performance variant of the legendary full-size luxury sedan, the Audi A8. Being in production for more than 25 years, the Audi S8 has always been the go-to model for those who want the ultimate comfort and luxury, without sacrificing driving experience and performance. With the arrival of the 2022 Audi S8, Audi has managed to shove in quite a lot of changes, making it an even more enticing proposition than the outgoing model.

Offered for a base MSRP of $116,900, the 2022 Audi S8 comes in a single trim configuration. The changes are in the form of an updated exterior design with a revised front grille and different front and rear bumpers. The wheels have also seen a change in design, and a few more interior features and driver-assistance tech are offered. Competing with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Genesis G90, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Audi S8.

RELATED: 2022 World Car Awards: How The Audi e-tron GT Became The World Performance Car Of The Year

Under the hood of the Audi S8 is the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 motor that could be found in the outgoing 2021 model. This motor is also the same one that does the duty in the Audi RS6 Avant and can be found in certain Porsches. It gets a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and the S8 produces an impressive 563 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.

The 8-speed automatic transmission and the Quattro full-time AWD drivetrain with rear limited-slip differential are standard. The acceleration is insane throughout the rev range, and the 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds makes it one of the fastest sedans out there. The car pushes you back in the seats when you put your foot down, and the automatic transmission has ultra-fast response times.

If you want the sportiest full-size luxury sedan out there, the 2022 Audi S8 has to be on top of your shortlist. We found the suspension of the S8 to be on the stiffer side, especially when compared to the A8. This results in putting a wide grin on the driver's face. The car hides its heavy curb weight well and takes corners better than any of the large luxury barges you have experienced before.

With the optional predictive active suspension for an additional $6,000, the handling is even more precise and sure-footed. We also found the four-wheel steering, limited-slip differential, and the legendary Quattro AWD drivetrain doing all they could to make the car take the winding roads with utmost precision and comfort. The car never feels twitchy, and the steering turn-in response is insane. However, the feedback from the steering was a bit underwhelming.

RELATED: Audi Unveils Unusual Urbansphere EV Concept

Like what you would expect from a full-size luxury sedan, the space on the inside is excellent for seating four passengers with utmost comfort. The front row passengers get headroom, legroom, and shoulder room that is almost identical to that of the BMW M760i. The seats are bolstered well and offer all the features like heating, cooling, ventilation, massage, and powered support.

The rear seat space is impressive too. The rear seat is accommodating, with impressive room for fitting even the tallest of the folks, and it gets all the bells and whistles, including multiple cubbyholes and storage spaces. Open the trunk with a press of a button, and you are greeted with one of the tiniest cargo rooms in the segment. The 12.5 cu ft of cargo space is mediocre at best, especially when considering the superb length and wheelbase of the S8.

The first thing that you notice when you step into the wide and accommodating cabin of the Audi S8 is the premium Valcona leather upholstery with contrastive stitching and piping. It is very plush and comfortable to sit in. There are brown and red interior color combinations, and the diamond stitching on the seat, a heavy dose of soft-touch leather on the door cards and dashboard, and the chiseled aluminum switchgear feel premium and nice to touch.

There are also carbon fiber inserts and subtle piano black elements, both of which give the interior a sporty edge. The aluminum pedals and the double step dashboard design are very Audi-esque and the passengers are going to be impressed with how solid and premium the cabin feels. There are no creaks or rattles anywhere and the cabin feels like it is built to last a lifetime.

The twin-turbo V8 motor mated with a Quattro AWD drivetrain means that the Audi S8 is not going to be frugal. The 48-volt mild hybrid system doesn't make much of an improvement either. As a result, this full-size performance luxury sedan could do only 14 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.

The combined gas mileage of 17 MPG makes it similar to the BMW M760i. However, the Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive has 21 MPG of combined gas mileage, making it the best in the segment. With a 21.7-gallon fuel tank capacity, the 2022 S8 could do 303 miles in the city and 499 miles on the highway on a full tank of gas.

RELATED: Word On The Street: Audi R8 V10 Performance RS Final Edition

Even with quite a lot of changes to the overall design language, the 2022 Audi S8 is still not as striking as its rivals. The front end comes with an updated grille and a tweaked bumper. If you opt for the optional black optic plus package, which is retailed for an MSRP of $2,100, it does hide some of the blandness with its blacked-out grille and air dams. Nevertheless, the matrix full-LED headlights with LED DRLs still look the part.

The eight exterior colors and an optional Audi exclusive special paint for an additional $3,900 add to the customizability. The length and wheelbase are about the same as the S-Class and if you opt for the sport package, then the car comes with elegant 21" wheels with summer performance tires from Goodyear. The subtle character lines and the 6-piston brake calipers are onboard too. The rear end gets a traditional single slab LED taillight and quad exhaust system.

The incredibly expensive 2022 Audi S8 does translate to one of the most feature-packed models of the luxury sedan segment. As a result, the interior features like 17-color ambient lighting, heated and powered seats with ventilation and massaging support, panoramic sunroof, and a long list of infotainment and audio system features make the traveling experience superb.

Apart from that, the Valcona leather upholstery, four-zone automatic climate control system, and a plethora of wood, aluminum, and other premium materials present in the cabin help the 2022 Audi S8 to feel just as luxurious as its price tag suggests. Optional packages like the rear-seat comfort package and SB comfort plus packages add even more tech and features to the already impressive list.

With a price tag that goes over the six-figure mark, the 2022 Audi S8 will not disappoint you in terms of safety and driver-assistance tech on board. Along with that, being a German car, the build quality is top-notch and all the exterior panels and doors feel tough as a nail. This makes it a great offering to take on the open highways without worrying too much about the safety of the passengers.

The standard driver-assistance features include automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, Audi parking system plus, aerial view camera system collision mitigation system, and lane-departure warning. However, we would also recommend you to opt for the S8 executive package which includes adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, Audi side assists with pre sense rear, intersection rear, and traffic sign recognition.

RELATED: Ranking The Rarest Audis Ever Made

Being an even more powerful version of the already powerful Audi A8, the S8 can be had with the optional carbon-ceramic brake. When equipped with this option, the braking bite, progression, and pedal feedback turned out to be unlike any other offering of the segment, even the renowned Porsche Panamera lineup. The brake fade is non-existent as well.

However, this is a very expensive upgrade. Even if you don't get it, the regular 4-wheel disc brake setup with 15.8" front rotors and 13.8" rear rotors helps the car to stop on a dime with minimal effort. All the other braking features like automated emergency braking, ABS with EBD, brake assist, and electric parking brakes are standard. The 70-0 mph braking distance of 162 feet is in line with most of the rivals.

The 2022 Audi S8 comes with three digital displays. The infotainment system comes in the form of a 10.1" touchscreen upper display and an 8.6" lower display. The interface turned out to be great as expected for the price and there are no stutters and lags that are noticeable. The display quality and touch sensitivity are top-notch too. However, we wish it was a single display instead of a split display.

The interface is polished and is identical to that of the other Audi MMI infotainment-equipped monikers of 2022. The features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, USB, and voice recognition. The 12.3" digital gauge cluster still is our favorite of the segment, and it looks stunning with the OLED tech it comes with. If you want audiophile-grade quality, we would recommend you to opt for the optional Bang & Olufsen 3D advanced audio system.