The 2018 Audi A8 ranks well among super luxury cars, thanks to its athletic performance and sumptuous interior. Where the A8 falls short is with its outdated infotainment system and small trunk.
Pros Very comfortable seats and loads of rear-seat legroom Refined, quiet interior Powerful, fuel-efficient base engine
Cons Tiny trunk for a car this size Outdated infotainment system with some hard-to-reach controls
The 2018 Audi A8 is a luxurious full-size new car that's decidedly old school. It's comfortable and quiet, but lacking new self-driving features.
Pros Opulent interior Standard all-wheel drive Beautiful executive trims for rear seats Big V-8 is fast Long wheelbase will please a crowd
Cons Conservative exterior Lacking self-driving tech V-8 is a pricey upgrade
Overall, though, the 2018 A8 gives up little in terms of comfort, luxury and performance. The 4.0T engine, a 450-horsepower turbocharged V8, is of special note for its ability to sprint from zero to 60 mph in about 4 seconds while matching the 22 mpg combined of the standard V6.
PROS Impeccably crafted cabin Engines provide plenty of power with decent efficiency Responsive steering and cornering for a big sedan All-wheel drive is standard
CONS Relatively small trunk Lacks the latest tech offered by rivals and newer Audis
The 2018 Honda Clarity ranked #13 in Midsize Cars. Currently the Honda Clarity has a score of 8.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 9 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Highly efficient Pillowy ride
Cons Audio controls lack knobs and buttons Timid highway passing power Rivals are more agile
The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, the only version distributed nationally, is spacious, comfortable, competitively priced, and offers excellent electric range.
Pros Comfortable mid-size sedan Well-equipped for the price Smooth, quiet ride High plug-in hybrid range rating Zero emissions for 2 of 3 models
Cons Strange, bulbous proportions Fuel Cell model tethered to hydrogen stations Low range of Electric version Only Plug-In version has five seats Can Honda explain plug-in hybrids?
The 2018 Honda Clarity range now includes plug-in hybrid and electric versions that join the Clarity Fuel Cell.Among the three versions, the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid easily makes the strongest case for itself. And among the two trim levels, we say stick with the base one and forgo the Touring trim's leather seats and navigation. Options are limited to accessory items, except for the rear parking sensors that we'd suggest adding.
PROS Comfortable, well-appointed cabin seats five people Solid driving range in all versions except Clarity Electric Pleasant ride quality in electric and plug-in hybrid versions
CONS Polarizing styling Limited availability of all but Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Touchscreen infotainment system can be cumbersome to use
