2010 Audi R8
- 2009 Audi R8
- Used Audi R8
Based on analysis of 42 R8 reviews and test drives.
Audi R8 - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Audi R8 ranks 4 out of 8 Exotic Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 42 published reviews and test drives of the Audi R8, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Audi R8 is admired for its sporty yet comfortable nature. Combined with head-turning style and a luxurious cabin, it gives higher-priced exotics a run for their money.
Introduced in 2008, the R8 is Audi's first attempt at manufacturing a mid-engine sports car, let alone an exotic. Throughout the 2008 and 2009 model years, critics applauded Audi for meeting its goal, but still wished for a stronger engine. Audi satisfies their desires in 2010 with the introduction of a 525-horsepower V10 engine -- the same as in the Lamborghini Gallardo.
"Audi has been telling us that the R8 would become a glorious combination of German practicality and Italian exuberance, and this drive in the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro shows us that the Bavarian company has delivered on this promise beyond our wildest expectations," writes Edmunds. In addition to its out-of-this-world exterior design, the R8 is praised for its combination of lightening speed, sporty handling dynamics and daily driving comfort. Plus, its cabin is roomy and offers comfortable, supportive seating for two. Though the R8 isn't without faults, they're largely insignificant when taken as a whole.
If you're in the market for an exotic sports car, also check out the Aston Martin Vantage. It costs about the same as the R8, but trumps it in nearly every category. And while it's true that the R8 is quicker off the line, few exotics match the Vantage's silky smooth transmission and comfortable sports handling.
The 2010 R8 is available in two trims, the 4.2 and 5.2.
- "To say Audi's R8 is a very special car is an understatement. Not only does it possess Hollywood-level look-at-me styling, incredible handling and top-notch workmanship, but it does all this while asking for few, if any, concessions from its driver and passenger. That's unlike most exotic sports cars, which are any combination of hard to get in and out of, difficult to see out of, are so low the air dam nearly scrapes on Botts dots...or they're just hard to drive." -- Road and Track
- The "Audi R8 is a supercar, but that doesn't mean it's uncompromising and hard-edged. It's an incredibly capable performance machine, yet every bit as luxurious as it is sporting. ... Then again, it had better be really good if it is to compete with its most obvious rival, the Porsche 911 Turbo." -- Kelley Blue Book
- "The R8 offers head-turning style, pulse-quickening performance, and superb build quality, yet is quiet and comfortable enough for daily commuting. ... Overall, the R8 is an impressive supercar achievement and a great drive." -- Consumer Guide
R8 Performance - 9.0 (Excellent)
Test drivers find that the R8 makes a mean racer, but is still comfortable enough to drive on a day-to-day basis. Plus, the addition of the all-new R8 5.2 makes it even more of a supercar. "The extra oomph is obvious as soon as the R8 5.2 starts moving, but the power increase hasn't upset the R8's user-friendliness and neutral handling," writes Car and Driver. Easy driving is still the name of the game; both models have graceful manners even when driven hard around a track." Its transmission options, however, garner mixed reviews. Read More
R8 Exterior - 9.1 (Excellent)
Most reviewers love the R8's futuristic exterior design. "The R8's cab-forward stance, aggressive graphics, taut surfacing, and jewel-like detailing are a thoroughly contemporary take on the sports car theme that make both the Porsche 911 and Ferrari's F430 look old fashioned." Its sideblades, however, cause some controversy. Read More
R8 Interior - 8.6 (Very Good)
Auto writers say that the R8's cabin is stylish and comfortable. "The interior design is unique to R8 and driver-focused, but it's as beautifully finished and tightly assembled as that of an A8," writes Motor Trend. Even so, some reviewers complain of mild ergonomic quirks. Read More
R8 Safety - NA
The R8 has not yet been crash tested by the federal government or insurance industry, but features loads of standard safety equipment -- including an Electronic Stabilization Program and Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. Still, critics report visibility issues. Read More
R8 Reliability - NA
The 2010 R8 carries a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and 12-year/unlimited mileage corrosion protection. The R8 also comes with four years of 24-hour roadside assistance. Read More
