Luxury cars and common sense don’t always share the same lane — but every so often, depreciation forces them together in a way that’s genuinely hard to ignore. Right now, one of the most dramatic examples of that collision is sitting on used-car lots across the country: a 2019 Audi A8 L, the German brand’s full-size flagship, available for roughly the same price as a brand-new Nissan Altima. If you’re in the market for a sedan, and you haven’t considered this angle, it’s worth a serious look — because the gap in what you get for your money is staggering.
In short, used cars can be a gamble, but some boast excellent value for money. Take Audi’s 2019 A8 L, for example. It’s the flagship sedan in the German automaker’s lineup, and it boasts a slew of luxury-oriented features that you simply can’t get in budget-minded, mass-market cars, such as the 2026 Nissan Altima.
So, just how much more car can you get for a similar amount of money if you went for the big Audi bruiser over the brand-new Nissan?
Here’s How Much You’ll Pay
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
The Audi A8’s fourth generation — also known as the “D5” — debuted for the 2019 model year. In the United States, it was sold exclusively as a long-wheelbase model, carrying a base price of $83,800 before destination fees or taxes. The 2026 Nissan Altima, by contrast, starts at just $28,980 for the SV Special Edition front-wheel-drive trim. In terms of their origins and intended audiences, the Audi A8 is like a fine-dining restaurant, while the Altima is more like a family diner.
However, depreciation has since brought the A8 down to diner-level pricing. As of this writing, the 2019 model’s average used market price sits right around $28,849 — just $131 less than the brand-new Nissan. As many of you know, depreciation hits luxury models, especially flagship sedans, rather hard. In just seven years, the 2019 A8 shed roughly 66% of its original value. When you factor inflation into its $83,800 sticker price, which works out to approximately $107,113 in today’s dollars, the real value lost climbs to around 73 percent.
The 2019 Audi A8 was never destined to compete with the Nissan Altima — both models occupy vastly different corners of the four-door sedan segment. In reality, it was built to battle models like the 2019 BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Lexus LS. In the table below, we’ll look at how all three models’ current used pricing compares to the Audi’s, along with their original MSRPs and how much real value each has surrendered over the past seven years:
2019 BMW 7 Series
2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2019 Lexus LS
2019 Audi A8 L
Current Average Used Price
$23,923
$34,587
$39,056
$28,849
Original MSRP (2019)
$83,650
$91,250
$75,450
$83,800
% Value Lost (Adj. For Inflation)
77.6%
71.3%
59.0%
73.1%
Here’s What The Audi Offers
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
Naturally, the 2019 Audi A8 L, despite being seven years older, offers quite a lot more than a brand-new, mid-level Nissan Altima. As standard, the seating surfaces, console, and dashboard were all trimmed in premium Valetta and Nappa leather, with an option to upgrade to diamond-stitched Valcona leather for the seats. Both the driver and front passenger were treated to 18-way power seats with heating. Buyers could optionally upgrade to 22-way power front seats with ventilation and heating for both rows. Two additional packages were available for the rear row, one of which adds reclining and massage functions.
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
A higher-spec “Executive Rear Seat Package” added a heated footrest with a massage function for the rear passenger side, controlled by an OLED touch panel mounted between both rear passengers. Options extended further to heated door armrests and heated console surfaces.
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
Sitting center stage on the 2019 A8’s dashboard is a dual-screen infotainment system. The upper panel is a 10.1-inch touchscreen that handles everything from radio and navigation — which came standard — to personal preferences. The lower 8.6-inch screen manages HVAC settings, doubles as an extension of the upper display, and can hold up to 32 separate icons. The gauge cluster is fully digital, featuring a 12.3-inch screen running at 60 frames per second, powered by a quad-core processor.
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
The audio system is equally impressive, with 17 speakers and 730 watts on tap. An optional upgrade brings 23 speakers and a massive 1,920 watts of output. Now, while the Altima is hardly sparse — it offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless charging — it doesn’t come close to the level of comfort and technology the Audi inhabits.
What’s Under The Hood
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
Engine Details
3.0L twin-turbo mild hybrid V6
Horsepower
335 hp
Torque
369 lb-ft
0-60 MPH Time
5.3 seconds
Top Speed
130 mph (limited)
Curb Weight
4,751 lbs
While the 2019 Audi A8 L was available with a 4.0-liter V8, the model we’re discussing here came standard with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6. Its twin-scroll turbochargers are nestled deep within the engine’s valley, qualifying it as a “Hot Vee” configuration. The engine is also paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that delivers a modest bump in both efficiency and output. It’s no rocket ship, but 335 horsepower is more than adequate for a comfort-focused luxury sedan — and it’s a significant step up from the Altima’s 188-horsepower inline-four.
Power is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all 2019 A8 Ls come standard with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. A standard air-ride suspension handles the car’s ride quality, with an available upgrade to an adaptive, predictive air-ride setup. Adaptive all-wheel steering is also on the options list. The body shell itself is a multi-material construction of carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, and magnesium.
Unfortunately, There Is A Downside
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
Positives to one side now, because one of the major pitfalls of buying used foreign luxury is the cost of repairs — and the Audi A8 is no exception. The model is packed with electronic systems, features, and technologies you won’t find in mainstream cars, and when those things fail, the bills can be eye-watering. The powertrain and quattro all-wheel-drive system are equally capable of generating hefty repair invoices.
According to RepairPal, the 2019 Audi A8 does not carry a current reliability rating. Looking at the 2015 model as a reference point, the picture isn’t encouraging: it ranks 28th out of 30 luxury full-size cars for reliability, with an average annual repair cost of approximately $1,298. While it’s an older data point, it’s reasonable to assume the 2019 model wouldn’t differ dramatically. CarEdge reports that annual insurance costs for the A8 run around $4,700 — nearly $1,600 above the luxury sedan segment average, let alone what you’d pay insuring the Nissan.
2018 Audi A8 L finished in silver with tan interiorAudi
As for the Nissan Altima we’ve spent all this time poking fun at, the reliability picture is considerably brighter. It ranks 11th out of 24 mid-sized cars, with an average annual repair cost of roughly $483 — dramatically less than the big German. Repair frequency is below average, and severe repair probability sits right at the segment average. If you needed something to pump the brakes on a used A8 purchase, let those numbers be your sign.
However, if you’ve got some maverick spirit buried deep inside and you’re ready to take the plunge, the 2019 Audi A8 L offers a level of luxury, power, and prestige that the Altima simply cannot match.
What if You Choose the Altima, Instead?
2026 Nissan Altima rear 3/4 angle in green while drivingNissan
The Audi A8 is an impressive sedan that we would take in a heartbeat. However, its prospective maintenance and repair costs give us pause. It might cost about the same as a new Altima up front, but buyers must factor future expenses into their budgets. That said, perhaps the Altima is a better choice for the more frugal buyer?
Since we’re comparing the A8 to the Altima’s price, it’s only fair to lay the Altima out on the table for examination. It’s currently available in four trims: the SV, SV Special Edition, SR, and SR Midnight Edition, with prices ranging from $27,580 to $30,980 before destination and options. All trims share the same 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The Altima is front-wheel-drive only and pairs that engine with a continuously variable transmission.
The Altima follows a depreciation curve typical of its class, losing around 49% of its value after the first five years. On the reliability front, it’s a Nissan — not class-leading, but far from the worst. According to CarEdge, an Altima will cost about $1,919 in maintenance and repairs over its first five years of ownership, which is $765 less than the average sedan.
Sources: Audi, Nissan, Motor Trend, RepairPal, CarEdge.
