Model Year | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
Model | A8 / S8 | A8 / S8 | A8 / S8 | A8 / S8 |
Trim | A8 L 3.0T | A8 L 3.0 TDI | A8 L 4.0T | A8 L W12 |
Engines | ||||
Transmissions | ||||
Drivetrains | ||||
Tires | ||||
Audio Systems | ||||
Accessories | ||||
Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | ||||
Cancels out interior noise by playing the opposite noise through the vehicle's speakers. | ||||
Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value. | ||||
Release latch by waving a foot beneath the bumper or a hand near a sensor. | ||||
Pulls door tight after latch is engaged. Door can be shut with very little effort. | ||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||
Decklid can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | ||||
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||
Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||
Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade. | ||||
Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. Includes value of manual shades. | ||||
Homelink. | ||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||
Night vision system detects animals ahead of the car, then highlights them on the display. Some will also focus a light on the animal. | ||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||
Small external cameras provide a top-down view all around the vehicle, to reduce blind spots while parking. | ||||
Automatically brakes car to avoid low-speed collisions. | ||||
Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot. | ||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||
Prepares seat belts for use when heavy braking or the yaw sensor suggests an imminent collision. Might also prep the brakes or roll up the windows. | ||||
Adjusts seats and/or head restraints when sensors detect that the car is likely to be hit from the rear. Might also flash rear lights to warn approaching car. | ||||
Applies the brakes to a slipping drive wheel to transfer torque to the other side, simulating the effect of a limited-slip differential. We haven't identified all applications, often implied by traction control. | ||||
Alerts driver when approaching the preceding car too quickly. | ||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||
Steering lightly applied to help prevent the vehicle from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane. | ||||
Alerts driver when the vehicle seems to be wandering out of the lane. | ||||
Creates infrared-based image of the road ahead. | ||||
Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||
Night vision system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, then highlights them on the display. | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Prepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser. Since automatic braking became common it has been unclear which models have this feat | ||||
Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | ||||
Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others. | ||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||
Wide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very front of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets. | ||||
Wide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very rear of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets. A second selectable view. | ||||
Cargo Management | ||||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||
Second-row center console that rises to armrest height, and usually includes storage. | ||||
Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | ||||
Climate Control | ||||
Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air. | ||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||
Maintains set temperature in rear passenger area by providing heated or cooled air through vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Replaces and includes value of rear air vents with manual controls. | ||||
Requires and does not include the value of rear air vents. | ||||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||
Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | ||||
Drivetrain | ||||
Actively splits power between the left and right rear wheels, which generally yields sportier handling. | ||||
Engine / Motor | ||||
Automatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system. | ||||
Exterior | ||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||
Reduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering. | ||||
Reduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering. | ||||
Front glass panel retracts over venting rear glass panel. Entire unit covers nearly entire roof. | ||||
Solar cells power fans that help keep the car's interior cool when it is parked. With electric vehicles also provide a negligible amount of energy for running the car. | ||||
Gas Guzzler Tax | ||||
Infotainment | ||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | ||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||
CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player. | ||||
Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data. | ||||
A DVD player and two front headrest-mounted screens. | ||||
Touchpad that interprets handwritten inputs. | ||||
High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | ||||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||
SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | ||||
Information about traffic plus weather, gas prices, sports news, and/or movie times. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | ||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
High beams automatically turned on and off. | ||||
Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||
Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | ||||
Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | ||||
Projects various instrument readouts onto the windshield. Image actually appears to be floating over the nose of the car. Enables driver to keep eyes on the road. | ||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. Can change the colors of the lights. | ||||
LED headlights last longer and use less energy than other types. | ||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||
One or both exterior mirrors tilt down when the transmission is in reverse, to provide view of the curb. | ||||
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||
Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | ||||
Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Erects between the seats; in vans stows against a seat to open up walk through; in sedans stows in a console. | ||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||
Leather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||
Power lumbar or vibration used to massage lower back. | ||||
Power lumbar or vibration used to massage lower back. | ||||
Power lumbar, rollers, or vibration used to massage lower back. | ||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||
A power footrest folds out from the front passenger seat. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||
Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||
Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part. | ||||
The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part; especially useful when the seat is heavily reclined, to better support the upper back. | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Usually also includes synthetic suede on the pillars. | ||||
No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||
The steering ratio is automatically varied based on vehicle speed and other factors. | ||||
Shocks that electrically adjust their firmness based on sensor readings of the road surface. The driver might also be able to select a \"sport\" setting. | ||||
Air springs automatically level the vehicle and enable manual adjustment of ride height. | ||||
Varies throttle, steering, ABS, and/or stability control calibration. | ||||
Transmission | ||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
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