Verdict
The Audi A8 D5 asks RM221,100 more than the RM658,800 Audi A8 D4, but brings 340 hp and 500 Nm against 290 hp and 420 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 6.2 to 5.7 seconds. It also uses 8.2 L/100 km versus 9.3, while its 0.5-kWh mild-hybrid system, adaptive LED lamps, pedestrian and cyclist braking, and 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio make it the more complete executive sedan. The D4 remains credible if its air-suspension specification, eight airbags and lower entry price matter more than newer driver assistance.
Pick the Audi A8 D4 if RM221,100 saved, eight airbags and front-and-rear air suspension matter more than newer assistance systems and infotainment.
Pick the Audi A8 D5 if you want 500 Nm from 1,370 rpm, lower rated fuel use and substantially stronger safety and rear-seat technology.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A8 D4 RM658,800; Audi A8 D5 RM879,900.
- Output: Audi A8 D4 290 hp and 420 Nm; Audi A8 D5 340 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and economy: Audi A8 D4 6.2 seconds and 9.3 L/100 km; Audi A8 D5 5.7 seconds and 8.2 L/100 km.
- Hybrid hardware: Audi A8 D4 has no motor or battery; Audi A8 D5 has one 16-hp, 60-Nm motor and a 0.5-kWh battery.
- Boot space and weight: Audi A8 D4 490 litres and 1,855 kg; Audi A8 D5 505 litres and 2,020 kg.
- Warranty: Audi A8 D4 gets two years plus a two-year extension; Audi A8 D5 gets five years.
D4
- RM221,100 lower purchase price.
- Eight airbags, versus six in the D5.
- Air suspension is specified front and rear.
- 290 hp and 420 Nm trail the D5's 340 hp and 500 Nm.
- No blind-spot monitoring, collision warning or autonomous braking.
- Older 8-inch interface and 14-speaker Bose system trail the D5's dual touchscreens and 17-speaker audio.
D5
- 340 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Autonomous braking detects pedestrians and cyclists; it also gets blind-spot monitoring.
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats, plus a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen system.
- Costs RM221,100 more.
- At 2,020 kg, it is 165 kg heavier.
- Six airbags and two rear ISOFIX positions versus the D4's eight airbags and three ISOFIX positions.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM658,800✓ | RM879,900 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,118 | RM2,118 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 290 hp at 4,850 rpm | 340 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 420 Nm at 2,500 rpm | 500 Nm at 1,370 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 84.5 mm × 89 mm | 84.5 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 11.2 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 16 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 60 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 0.5 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8 Speed Automatic | 8-speed Tiptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 seconds | 5.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.3 L/100 km | 8.2 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 217 g/km | 186 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,265 mm | 5,302 mm |
| Width | 1,949 mm | 1,945 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,485 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,122 mm | 3,128 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 80 litres | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 505 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli Cinturato P7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Y Design Alloys | 19" 15-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Y Design Alloys | 19" 15-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Audi Drive Select with damping control system - Auto/Comfort/Dynamic/Efficiency mode | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers, Dynamic All-wheel Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Powered for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Audi pre safe rear |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Massage Function | Power-adjustable Rear Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map + Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (30 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered rear sun shade, Powered rear door window shades | Powered Rear Door Window and Windscreen Shades |
| Audio | 8" MMI Navigation, 6 DVD/MP3 player with Bose 14-speaker Sound System | MMI navigation plus with 10.1" Upper Touchscreen, 8.6" Lower Touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot with soft close function | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Soft close function, all doors | Soft-close Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 5.7" Removable Rear Tablet |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 120,000 km✓ | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years✓ | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
D4 vs D5 FAQ
Is the Audi A8 D4 or Audi A8 D5 better?
The Audi A8 D5 is better equipped and more capable: 340 hp, 500 Nm, 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h, 8.2 L/100 km and active braking. The D4 is the better-value choice if its RM221,100 lower price, eight airbags and air suspension are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A8 D5 costs RM879,900 and the Audi A8 D4 costs RM658,800, a difference of RM221,100. Both have identical RM2,118 annual road tax figures.
Which A8 has the better rear-seat and infotainment package?
The Audi A8 D5 gets heated and ventilated rear seats with memory, a 5.7-inch removable rear tablet, four USB ports, 30-colour ambient lighting and 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio. The D4 counters with rear-seat massage, but has an 8-inch MMI system and 14-speaker Bose audio.