Holden Calais vs Audi A8
What's the difference?

Holden Calais

$9,995 - $27,800

2018 price

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Audi A8

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2023 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-AMG E63

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2018 Holden Calais

2023 Audi A8

By Andrew Chesterton

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V6, 3.6L

Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Diesel/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

9.1L/100km (combined)

5.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Plenty of cabin space
Safety gear on-point
Punchy V6

Refinement
Quality
Value

Dislikes

Fuel use on the high side
Four-cylinder turbo petrol unavailable
Diesel not an option

Big turning circle
No folding rear seat
No front door bottle slots

2018 Holden Calais Summary

If Holden had a dollar for every time someone had criticised the new and international flavour of Australia’s formerly home-grown hero, it would surely have more than enough spare cash to blow the dust of that vast South Australian factory and restart local Commodore production immediately.

Hell, there’d probably be enough left over to relaunch the Camira while they were at it. And maybe even knock out a new Gemini or two.

So we’re not going to do that again here. The all-new Commodore, in this case the Calais Tourer, is now here - granted having travelled further than the one it replaces - and so we’ll be playing this review with the straightest of bats.

Because the truth is, if you peel the badging - and thus the swirling emotion - off its elongated rump, then you’ll find this German-built Tourer is, really and truly, a very good thing.

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2023 Audi A8 Summary

Audi’s flagship is the A8, a long, luxurious sedan where being driven is often as important as doing the driving.

To put this ultra-premium machine in context, it competes with other German heavyweights like BMW’s 7 Series and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Porsche’s Panamera. Not to mention the Lexus LS or Maserati’s Quattroporte.

What’s life like at the top of the Audi pyramid? Stay with us to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Calais 2023 Audi A8

Verdict

A best-of-both-worlds option that should have us questioning our SUV obsession, the Calais Tourer delivers plenty of practicality perks and a higher ride height in a dynamic and car-like package. The equipment levels are spot on, including the comprehensive safety package, and it you act smartly, you'll get a hugely long warranty to boot.

It sure is thirsty, though, and we can't help but think plenty of owners would be happier with a smaller, more-efficient engine.

Verdict

The Audi A8 swims in a luxury car shark tank where those paying the big dollars expect top-shelf everything. It delivers a serene driving experience whether you’re in the front or the back, in a superbly engineered and executed luxury sedan package. Not perfect, but very, very impressive.

Holden Calais vs Audi A8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Holden Calais vs Audi A8
What's the difference?