Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Audi Q8 SUV review

"The Audi Q8 is a luxurious, comfortable SUV but it isn't as sporty as its looks suggest, nor is it as practical as a Q7"

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Price
£75,805 - £117,005

Pros

  • Imposing looks
  • Indulgent interior
  • Advanced technology

Cons

  • Numb handling
  • Limited versatility
  • Unproven ride comfort

The Audi Q8 was the brand’s first coupe-SUV and it was arguably a little late to join an ever-expanding class, because BMW had had the X6 on the market for several years beforehand, with more recent arrivals including the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Mercedes GLE Coupe.

Based on the same platform as the Q7, the Q8 presents itself as a more dynamic and sporty machine than its sister model. Indeed, it features a far more sweeping, muscular design than the rather battleship-esque Q7. It certainly has presence on the road, which is crucial to draw customers away from the clutches of rivals.

Best luxury SUVsTop 10 best luxury SUVs 2024

Audi has done a good job of making the Q8 distinct from the Q7, particularly when you consider the differences between the two are essentially cosmetic. The front of the car features a far wider and lower version of Audi’s signature ‘singleframe’ grille design, with significantly larger air intakes beneath and sharp, slim LED headlights.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The flanks of the Q8 are distinctive, too. It borrows sporty design cues from other Audi coupe models, with angular wheelarch flares influenced by the Audi Quattro sports car that established the brand's four-wheel-drive credentials in rallying. The roof spoiler is a prominent feature, with a bold looking design that fits perfectly with the car’s sporty ethos. The full-width LED light bar at the back of the car gives it a futuristic look similar to that of the range-topping Audi A8. The S line model features 21-inch wheels that do an admirable job of filling the Q8's huge wheelarches.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

More reviews

For those that want a high-performance version of the Q8, there’s an SQ8 with a 500bhp V8 petrol engine (which replaced a V8 diesel engine in July 2020). The range-topping RS Q8 model shares its 592bhp V8 petrol engine with the Audi RS6 Avant estate. Both these versions of the Q8 offer formidable performance but the SQ8 starts at just over £83,000 and the RS Q8 is north of £100,000.

Inside, things are more elegant than sporty; the ambience is similar to that experienced by Audi A8 drivers. The Q8 shares that model's cutting-edge central control system for infotainment and convenience features. This uses two touchscreen panels – 10.1-inch above, 8.6-inch below – that provide 'haptic feedback' (the sensation of a click or vibration) when commands are issued. It's a fantastic system that adds a real futuristic feel.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Another hi-tech touch is Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, which is configurable to display various information, including 3D colour mapping, which can be displayed right in your line of sight, with speed and other driving data shown either side.

Every Q8 comes with a lot of technology and equipment, but there are still several trim levels to choose from. S line, Black Edition and high-end Vorsprung are available, with multiple options on the SQ8 and RS Q8 as well. Vorsprung versions boast an especially indulgent level of standard kit. Despite occupying as much space on the road as a Q7, there's no seven-seat option for the Q8 – that sweeping roofline would make it impossible to offer any headroom whatsoever in a third row. Instead, there's a huge boot and second-row passengers have as much space as in the Q7.

Audi's full suite of safety assistance systems is available and the Q8 got a strong five-star safety score when independently crash-tested by Euro NCAP. While Audi's performances for safety should give you confidence, reliability is still an area that could be improved. Audi’s 23rd-place ranking in our Driver Power owner satisfaction survey wasn't hugely impressive.

The Q8's undeniable visual appeal – inside and out – makes Audi's biggest coupe-SUV an attractive ownership prospect. However, the Q8 is no better at transporting a family than its Q7 sister and doesn't offer any more driving excitement. Ultimately, the extra versatility of the seven-seat Q7 makes it easier to recommend.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    55 TFSI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £62,815

Most Economical

  • Name
    55 TFSI e Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £77,305

Fastest

  • Name
    SQ8 TFSI Quattro 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £85,025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen T-Cross review – a well-equipped small SUV
Volkswagen T-Cross 2024
In-depth reviews
18 Mar 2024

Volkswagen T-Cross review – a well-equipped small SUV

SEAT Ateca review - good value SUV that's fun to drive
SEAT Ateca SUV front 3/4 tracking
In-depth reviews
14 Mar 2024

SEAT Ateca review - good value SUV that's fun to drive

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

Toyota Yaris review - a frugal hybrid supermini
Toyota Yaris Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
12 Mar 2024

Toyota Yaris review - a frugal hybrid supermini

Most Popular

Hot car deal: stylish Peugeot 2008 small SUV for £120 a month
Peugeot 2008 front quarter
Deals
12 Mar 2024

Hot car deal: stylish Peugeot 2008 small SUV for £120 a month

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
15 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
15 Mar 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

More on Q8

UK pricing revealed for updated Audi Q8
Audi Q8 facelift
News
20 Sep 2023

UK pricing revealed for updated Audi Q8

The Audi Q8 receives a midlife facelift with a tweaked exterior, but the plug-in hybrid will not be making a comeback
New Audi SQ8 e-tron goes on sale from £97,500
Audi SQ8 e-tron facelift
News
16 May 2023

New Audi SQ8 e-tron goes on sale from £97,500

The updated Audi SQ8 e-tron high-performance electric SUV will be offered in two different trim levels
Audi SQ8 SUV review
In-depth reviews
21 Oct 2020

Audi SQ8 SUV review

"The Audi SQ8 is effortlessly fast and has a great interior but it’s expensive"
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi Q8 gains plug-in hybrid versions with 28-mile electric range
News
14 Oct 2020

Audi Q8 gains plug-in hybrid versions with 28-mile electric range

New Audi Q8 gets a choice of 55 and 60 TFSI e engines that promise around 100mpg
2020 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 return to petrol power with 500bhp V8
Audi SQ8 driving
News
15 Jul 2020

2020 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 return to petrol power with 500bhp V8

New 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol engine reduces the 0-62mph time to just 4.1 seconds
Audi RS Q8 SUV
In-depth reviews
17 Mar 2020

Audi RS Q8 SUV

"The Audi RS Q8 is quicker than most sports cars while offering estate-car practicality, but running costs are high”
New Audi RS Q8 blasts in with 592bhp
Audi RS Q8 driving
News
20 Nov 2019

New Audi RS Q8 blasts in with 592bhp

The Audi RS Q8 will be the company’s flagship model when it goes on sale in early 2020
Audi Q8 S line review
Audi Q8 S line - front 3/4 driving
News
2 Aug 2019

Audi Q8 S line review

The Audi Q8 S line is a well-equipped, stylish and luxurious coupe SUV that’s great to drive
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Audi Q7 due in September
Audi Q7 SUV facelift front 3/4 tracking
News
25 Jun 2019

New Audi Q7 due in September

The updated Audi Q7 arrives this autumn to renew rivalry with BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE
Skip advert
Advertisement
Diesel Audi SQ8 muscles in
Audi SQ8 SUV front 3/4 tracking
News
21 Jun 2019

Diesel Audi SQ8 muscles in

The Audi SQ8 arrives in September to challenge the BMW X6 M50d
2019 BMW X6 spotted testing in camouflage
News
8 Mar 2019

2019 BMW X6 spotted testing in camouflage

BMW X6 SUV will be available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time
Audi introduces new Black Edition and Vorsprung models
Audi A5 Sportback Vorsprung
News
20 Feb 2019

Audi introduces new Black Edition and Vorsprung models

New trim levels add unique bodystyling, larger alloy wheels and tech updates
Audi Q2 S line review
Road tests
16 Jan 2019

Audi Q2 S line review

The Q2 crossover is a desirable alternative to traditional family hatchbacks

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
19 Dec 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024