Compare the2024 Audi S8VS 2023 Rolls-Royce Ghost

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S8 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Rolls-Royce Ghost doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The S8 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Ghost doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The S8 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Ghost doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the S8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The Ghost doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the S8 and Ghost offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the S8 with Rear Cross-Traffic Assist also has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ghost’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the S8 and the Ghost have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and available blind spot warning systems.

The S8’s corrosion warranty is 8 years longer than the Ghost’s (12 vs. 4 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Audi dealers as there are Rolls-Royce dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S8’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi S8 is faster than the Rolls-Royce Ghost (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the S8 gets better mileage than the Ghost:

Regenerative brakes improve the S8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Ghost doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the S8’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Ghost doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For more complete vehicle control the S8 has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Ghost doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

For better stopping power the S8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Ghost:

The S8 stops shorter than the Ghost:

For better traction, the S8 has larger tires than the Ghost (265/35R21 vs. 255/40R21).

The S8’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ghost’s 40 series front tires.

The S8 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Ghost; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The S8 handles at .95 G’s, while the Ghost pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S8 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Ghost (24.4 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the S8’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Ghost’s (38.7 feet vs. 42.7 feet). The S8’s turning circle is 7.2 feet tighter than the Ghost Extended’s (38.7 feet vs. 45.9 feet).

The Audi S8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The S8 is 9.3 inches shorter than the Ghost, making the S8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the S8 has standard flush composite headlights. The Ghost has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The S8 has 2 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ghost.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S8’s trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ghost doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The S8 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ghost doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S8 has standard extendable sun visors. The Ghost doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the S8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Ghost doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The S8 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Ghost doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The S8’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Ghost’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Audi A8/S8 outsold the Rolls-Royce Ghost by almost three to one during 2022.