Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Audi R8 review - Reliability and safety

The R8 is a development of its predecessor, while a raft of electronics helps to raise safety levels

Reliability and Safety rating

2.8

How we review cars
RRP
£146,930 £146,930
Avg. savings
£7,992 off RRP*
Find your Audi R8
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Audi is famed for the quality and reliability of its components, and as the second-generation R8 is a development of the original, it should be a good performer. With its hand-crafted production process and hefty price, we expect the R8 will deliver a blemish-free ownership experience.

The engine, for example, is a development of the old 5.2-litre V10, and is also used in the Lamborghini Huracan. It’s a similar story with the twin-clutch S tronic gearbox, which feels bulletproof even after several full-bore applications of the launch control back to back.

Audi finished a disappointing 22nd out of 29 manufacturers in our 2022 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey - a disappointing result, but a one-place improvement on the previous year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In terms of safety, the R8 hasn't been Euro NCAP tested – and is unlikely ever to be – but its aluminium and carbon-fibre hybrid platform is stronger than ever, meaning it’s 50kg lighter and 40 per cent stiffer than the first generation. There are four airbags, multi-stage stability control and carbon-ceramic brakes (an option on the R8, standard on the R8 Performance), but there’s no option to add hi-tech features such as autonomous emergency braking or blind-spot monitoring.

Performance mode is activated via a button on the steering wheel and has three sub-modes – dry, wet and snow. By loosening the ESC’s grip and managing all other driving parameters it extracts the maximum performance, while keeping the car pointing in the right direction.

LED headlights are standard, but among the options are laser lights, with the ability to light the road up to 600m ahead of the car. A camera-based sensor system ensures the lights are dipped when another car is approaching, to avoid dazzling them.

Warranty

R8 owners will benefit from a standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, although there is the opportunity to extend cover to either four or five years, at extra cost.

Servicing

Audi offers various servicing plans that help to spread the cost of scheduled maintenance, with each plan based on the age your vehicle. The Audi Complete package includes servicing, maintenance and tyres for up to five years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    5.2 FSI [570] V10 Performance Ed 2dr S Tronic RWD
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £146,930
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    5.2 FSI [570] V10 Performance Ed 2dr S Tronic RWD
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £146,930
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    5.2 FSI [570] V10 Performance Ed 2dr S Tronic RWD
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £146,930
Select car
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

New & used car deals

Audi R8

Audi R8

RRP £146,330Avg. savings £7,992 off RRP*
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £1,824 off RRP*Used from £24,000
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,505Avg. savings £4,317 off RRP*Used from £19,564
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,019 off RRP*Used from £15,299
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025
Best car insurance comparison sites 2025
Person browsing on a laptop

Best car insurance comparison sites 2025

It’s always a wise policy to shop around for car insurance cover, so which websites make it easiest?
Product group tests
6 Feb 2025
Controversial new Jaguar GT caught prowling in the snow
Jaguar Type 00 (camouflaged) - front 3/4 tracking

Controversial new Jaguar GT caught prowling in the snow

The latest spy shots provide more insight into what we can expect from this eagerly awaited EV
News
7 Feb 2025