Audi Q8 Review 2023
Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Impeccable interior quality
- Good to drive
- Spacious cabin and a big boot
Cons
- Only five seats
- Infotainment can be a bit distracting
- Not cheap to buy or run
Overall verdict on the Audi Q8
"The Audi Q8 is a big, posh SUV that's (sort of) also a coupe. It shares much with the Audi Q7, but with seven seats swapped for five and a more svelte design. Does it stack up against style-focused rivals? Our Audi Q8 review aims to find out."
SUVs have become such big business for car companies that you'll almost always find several in their ranges. Audi, for example, has no fewer than eleven different SUV bodystyles, many with S and RS sporting variants too.
The Audi Q8 sits at the top of the brand's tree, alongside the Audi Q7. While the latter is longer than the former, the Q8 is the most expensive SUV Audi makes, competing with sporting or coupe-like SUV models such as the Range Rover Sport, Mercedes GLE Coupe, BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.
If you need seven seats, then Audi will point you towards a Q7. The five-seater Q8, meanwhile, has a slinkier, less-boxy design to make it more elegant and more desirable, desirability that’s topped off by the aspirational Audi badge.
There are plenty of other Audi trademarks that are present-and-correct, too, not least the impeccable build quality. Every surface you look at or touch is an absolute treat for the eyes or the fingertips, so this feels like a very classy product indeed, good enough to have the beating of rivals such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
Yes, this is a very expensive car, but jaw-dropping quality like this helps make the Q8 feel worthy of the price tag. So does the stack of luxury and safety equipment you get as standard, the latter of which helps the Q8 achieve that all-important five-star rating from Euro NCAP.
On the road, the Q8 is very relaxed and quiet, with fabulous rolling refinement and a diesel engine (we haven’t tried the petrol offering yet) that is smooth, subdued and effortlessly powerful. Granted, the ride isn’t as cosseting as the slushiest SUVs, but it’ll keep you comfortable most of the time, and you get impressively sharp handling as a payoff.
Later in the car's life there was an Audi Q8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid variant added. Promising up to 123mpg it'll save you money if most of your journeys are short enough to suit, but if you regularly go on longer runs you'll probably be better off with the diesel.
And practicality? Well, it may only have five seats, but they’re all just as roomy as the equivalent seats in the Q7, so this is a very spacious and comfortable car. A big boot also helps it perform family duties impressively well.
Downsides? Well the infotainment system could be more user-friendly and, like we said earlier, it’s pretty pricey. But otherwise, the Q8 is a very good premium all-rounder that’s perfectly suited to the buyers it’s aimed at. If that’s you, you're in for a treat.
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Is the Audi Q8 right for you?
If you’re after a five-seat luxury SUV and you enjoy the finer things in life, then the Audi Q8 will suit you down to the ground. Even compared with high-class rivals such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe, the Audi feels like a cut-above in terms of interior quality, and that really helps justify the high price tag.
It’ll also suit you if you value agile handling over outright comfort, because it does feel impressively athletic in a set of bends, although despite there being a firm edge to the ride, this is not an uncomfortable car by any means. And, if you’re a gadget fan, the Q8 has that covered, too, with a huge variety of luxury equipment and all the latest infotainment tech.
What other cars are similar to the Audi Q8?
The Q8 is a luxury SUV that’s focused on style rather than practicality, and it’s certainly not alone on that score. The BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe are probably its most direct rivals on size, price and ethos, while Land Rover will have a couple of contenders in the mix with the Range Rover Sport and the Velar.
Buyers might also be tempted by the Porsche Cayenne Coupe if they’re after something a little sportier.
Comfort and design: Audi Q8 interior
"Like all of Audi’s latest luxury cars, the Q8’s dashboard has three screens. One of them is a digital instrument panel that sits behind the steering wheel, replacing conventional dials."
It displays all the same information, but also places selected other bits of information - like your sat-nav instructions - directly into your eyeline. That means there’s a lot going on in front of you, but despite the large amount of information, everything stays clear and easy to process.
The other two screens sit on the centre console. The top one controls the infotainment system (we’ll talk about that in the corresponding section in a moment), while the bottom one takes care of the climate control system, along with a few other minor functions.
It looks great, but it’s more distracting to use on the move than traditional dials and buttons. With those, you can glance at them quickly and then find the control you want by feel. With a screen, you have to press the screen in exactly the right place, and that takes more concentration, diverting more of your attention away from the road.
You’ll have no complaints over comfort, though. The supportive seats have electronic adjustment in all versions, helping you to fine-tune your favoured driving position. You get a clear view out in all directions, too, and to help you further with parking manoeuvres, the standard kit list on all versions includes parking sensors at either end and a reversing camera. The Vorsprung adds a 360-degree camera.
Quality and finish
High quality is an Audi trademark, and you’d expect the firm’s most luxurious SUV to be the showcase for its impressive skills in this area. Even with expectations so high, the Q8 still manages to dazzle.
Every single surface encountered by your eyes or fingertips is a joy for both senses, which immediately gives those inside the impression that they’re travelling first-class. Make the effort to delve deep into the lower reaches of the cabin in search of hidden away panels that don’t quite measure up, and even those with the detective skills of Hercule Poirot will be wasting their time.
The flawless way everything is assembled gives an even more high-grade feel, with barely perceptible panel gaps and not even the merest hint of a creak or a flex. There’s the odd styling tweak here and there between versions, but despite these, even the entry-level Q8 feels just as sophisticated as the range-topper.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Audi Q8
As we’ve already talked about them (in the Comfort and design section), we’ll ignore the two of the Audi Q8’s three dashboard screens here, and talk solely about the main one, the 10.1-inch touch-sensitive item found at the top of the centre console that takes care of pretty much all of the car’s infotainment functionality.
As touchscreens go, it’s pretty good. It looks fab for a kick-off, lending the interior a really high-tech feel, while the crisp graphics and speedy software means your progress through the various menus and widgets is brisk and smooth. However, there are just so many of these menus and widgets, due to the vast array of functionality that the system controls, and that means using the system can be a little bamboozling. That said, the steering wheel has lots of buttons and dials that allow you to bypass many of the touchscreen controls without lifting a hand from the wheel.
That vast array of functionality includes navigation, DAB radio, Apple Carplay/Android Auto and wireless phone charging. Upgrade to the Vorsprung model, meanwhile, and you also get an upgraded Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with 17 speakers and 730 watts of power.
Space and practicality: Audi Q8 boot space
Unlike many large SUVs - including the Q7 it’s based on - the Audi Q8 is offered with no more than five seats. That means it won’t be as suitable for families that are large in number, but it’ll be just as good for families that are large in the size of the individuals.
The front seats have loads of space, and because the Q8 has exactly the same wheelbase measurement as the Q7, there’s just as much rear legroom, which will be plenty for even the gangliest of passengers.
What’s more, the rear seats slide back and forth, allowing you to dedicate the space available to legroom or luggage, depending on your needs at the time. And, while many slinky, coupe-like SUVs suffer with limited rear headroom due to their swoopy lines, the Q8 suffers no such affliction.
The Audi Q8's boot capacity of 605-litres extends to 680 litres by sliding the rear seats forward. It's a really good size for a style-focused car, too, if not ultimately as enormous as a Q7’s, but it does compare well with rivals such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe.
There won’t be many loads that the Q8 can’t carry, and if you need to maximise space, the rear seats fold down in a 40-20-40 split with levers mounted on the sides of the boot. They leave you with a slightly sloped load area because the backrests lie at an angle, but there are no awkward steps and no irritating load lip.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the Audi Q8 is 4986mm long, 1705mm tall and 1995mm wide. It's pretty bulky, then, managing to be wider than the Q7 on which it's based, although it's also shorter and lower.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Audi Q8 like to drive?
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Every version of the Q8 comes with air suspension as standard, which varies its stiffness according to which of the various driving modes you select. You can individually choose the soft suspension with sportier other settings in the custom function, however.
Even in Comfort mode, the ride still has a slightly firm edge, so if you’re expecting to waft along like you do in a Q7 or Range Rover, you’ll be disappointed. It doesn't help that the smallest wheel option is 21 inches. Having said that, the ride is still forgiving enough to keep life comfortable on all but the worst surfaces, and at all speeds."
Don’t go thinking that four-wheel drive will make the Q8 a Range Rover-beater in the rough stuff, though. It’ll cope with an uneven track or a moderately muddy field, but this is no hardcore off-roader.
The ride does get appreciably firmer in the sportiest setting, too, and it might prove a bit too much for some drivers. The payoff for that extra firmness is tighter body control through the bends, but to be fair, it’s still pretty tight in Comfort mode, making the Q8 feel impressively nimble for a big SUV. It never completely shakes off its two-tonne bulk, but the standard four-wheel drive gives the car huge grip and traction, and all its responses are consistent and predictable.
Vorsprung versions also get four-wheel steering as standard. At high speeds, this turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts to aid stability, while at low speeds, the rears are moved in the opposite direction to tighten the turning circle. It’s on the latter score where you’ll most see the benefit of this, though, because it does help make manoeuvres easier.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Audi Q8?
Only two engines were available in the Q8 at launch, one of which we’ve not yet had the opportunity to try. That’s a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 340PS, known as the 55 TFSI. The one we have tried is the 50TDI, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 286PS.
It delivers strong pull from low revs, so the car builds speed in an easy, relaxed manner, while because it's a six cylinder there's very little of that diesel grumble you get with smaller units. Press the pedals harder, and it delivers a turn of pace that’s strong enough to see off many hot hatches, let alone fellow luxury SUVs.
Annoyingly, though, the eight-speed automatic gearbox gets in the way of enjoyment somewhat. Under normal circumstances, it swaps cogs smoothly and cleanly, but when you ask for a sudden burst of acceleration - either when pulling away or picking up speed on the move - the gearbox has to consider its options for a second or two before deciding which gear it wants to give you, and that results in a frustrating pause before anything happens.
We've yet to try the Q8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid, launched a few years after it first went on sale. It puts out a healthy 381PS and 600Nm from a 3.0-litre V6 mated to an electric motor, enough for a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds. At 2.4 tonnes it's pretty heavy, though.
Refinement and noise levels
You’ll have no complaints in this area. The diesel engine is quiet and cultured most of the time, even when you stick some revs on the dial, and you barely hear it at all once you’ve settled down to a steady motorway cruise.
Very little vibration is transmitted through to the cabin, too, such is the unit’s smoothness. Perhaps more impressively, the huge tyres don’t even kick up that much road noise at higher speeds. You will hear a slightly rustle of wind noise fluttering around the door mirrors at 70mph, but that’s about it.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Audi Q8?
The Q8 has already been smashed to smithereens by the good people of Euro NCAP, and in those crash tests (it wasn’t just for fun), the car achieved the highest five-star rating. That should provide plenty of peace-of-mind.
All versions get all the usual airbags and electronic aids to maximise traction and stability, and they also get automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and ultra-bright Matrix Beam LED headlights.
Go for the Vorsprung range-topper, and you’ll also get a head-up display, cross traffic alert at both the front and rear (to stop you pulling out in front of oncoming traffic) and a semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control system. Further autonomous features can be found on the options list, along with a wide variety of other stuff.
MPG and fuel costs: What does an Audi Q8 cost to run?
"According to the official figures, the diesel will give you a maximum average fuel return of 33mpg, while the petrol gives you just 26mpg. "
Those laboratory figures aren’t too far away from those of rivals, so the Q8 is competitive, and because it's the WLTP test regime used they should be fairly realistic. Use the prodigious performance on offer on a regular basis, though, and your returns will tumble.
Things get even worse if you plump for the twin-turbo V8-powered Audi SQ8 or RSQ8, as they both quote economy figures in the low twenties. Using the performance? It'll be well into the teens.
This won’t be a cheap car to run, then, whichever version you choose, but then again, you probably wouldn’t expect it to be. Unless, that is, you choose the TFSI e plug-in hybrid. But there's a big caveat to that.
Officially you'll get an all electric range of about 28 miles as well as fuel economy of up to 122.8mpg. That sounds great, but you'll only get that if you spend the vast majority of the time in electric mode. Step out of that 28-mile range with a depleted battery and the economy will quickly start plummeting.
How reliable is the Audi Q8?
Audi finished (just) in the bottom third of the latest HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index. That's not a particularly great result, but most premium rivals (bar perhaps Lexus) don't exactly cover themselves in glory in the index either.
The sheer complexity of the Audi Q8 means that something is bound to go wrong eventually, but as we keep saying you don't buy a car this expensive without budgeting for the running costs.
Insurance groups and costs
It’s expensive and it’s got big powerful engines, so it’s no surprise that the Q8 will be very expensive to insure. Sure enough, most versions sit in group 50, the priciest group there is, but perhaps the biggest surprise is that some versions actually make it down as low as group 47.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on an Audi Q8?
On the road tax (VED) front the Audi Q8 will give you a right old sting in the tail due to its high emissions. But then so will its key rivals, and if you're wealthy enough to buy one are you really that bothered?
The actual cost of the Q8's road tax varies by quite a bit depending on when it was registered, so if you're buying a used one it's worth checking out. As of 2022, even the diesel version will cost £1420 a year to tax in its first year, with all other versions over £2,000. And that's not including the £375 a year 'premium car' tax that you'll pay for a further five years. At least it'll switch back to the £165 a year flat rate after that.
The Audi Q8 TFSI e is the only version that'll be relatively cheap to tax. Although it's still stung by the premium car tax, its low emissions mean you'll pay just £25 in VED in the first year before moving to a discounted flat rate of £155.
How much should you be paying for a used Audi Q8?
"The Audi Q8 holds onto its value pretty well for a big car such as this. Buying new in 2022? you'll need at least £71,000."
The Audi Q8 is the brand's flagship, and is priced accordingly. In 2022 you'll pick up a new one for £71,000, in S line 55 TFSI form. You'll need just under £4,000 more for the Black Edition, but the fully-loaded Vorsprung looks pretty steep at just under £92,000.
Option for the 50 TDI diesel over the petrol adds only £300. The Q8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid is available in all the same trims and starts at £77,785. Looking for an SQ8 or RSQ8? These also have different trims, with the SQ8 ranging from £87,000 to £110,000 and the RSQ8 ranging from £110,000 to £128,000. We hope you were sitting down for that.
On the used market prices have held firm, mostly because of the pandemic-related new car supply shortage. You'll need £44,000 do get in a 2019 50 TDI S-Line with 60,000 miles on the clock, and a few thousand more will reduce that mileage. The vast majority of Audi Q8s sold were diesels - good luck finding a petrol or hybrid one for sale.
Trim levels and standard equipment
The entry-level Audi Q8 S Line comes with dual-zone climate control, air suspension, leather seats with front seat heating, cruise control, LED ambient lighting, keyless start, privacy class and an electric tailgate, not to mention the full infotainment system and a suite of safety assist tech.
The mid-spec Audi Q8 Black Edition is more style-focused and brings 22-inch wheels, a black exterior styling pack replacing the chrome, and polished oak dashboard trim. You also get four-zone climate control and a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.
Upgrade to the flagship Audi Q8 Vorsprung, and you'll add a whole heap of kit includiong power-closing doors, four-wheel steering, a panoramic sunroof, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, ventilated front seats with a massage function, heated rear seats, the extended leather pack and much more.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Does the Audi Q8 a seven seater?
Is the Audi Q8 bigger than the Q7?
How much boot space does the Audi Q8 have?
How much does an Audi Q8 cost?
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