2023 Audi Q8 Review

Name: 2023 Audi Q8 Review
Brand: Audi

Price Range: $51,997 - $60,590

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The 2023 Audi Q8 backs its coupe-like styling with pleasing performance and plenty of luxury and technology features. A high price tag and a few compromises, however, prevent it from being the overall favorite in the class.

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2023 Audi Q8 Review

by Michael Cantu^{Correspondent
Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.}

rating written Jonathan Elfalan^{Director, Vehicle Testing
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.}

Pros

Comes well equipped with many standard features
Comfortable ride
High-quality cabin materials
Front and rear seats offer all-day comfort

Cons

Less practical than the related Q7
Touchscreen interface can be distracting to use
Throttle response is slow in the default driving mode

What's new

Minor updates to feature availability
Remote Park Assist Plus is standard on the Prestige trim
Part of the first Q8 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Audi's flagship Q8 SUV is the most expensive non-electric SUV in the brand's lineup. It's a sporty version of the three-row Q7, but it only offers two-row seating. Besides being comfortable and stylish, the Q8 provides plenty of power and space, and it packs impressive tech. Its digital instrument panel and dual-touchscreen infotainment system lend to its high-tech and modern-looking interior. The Q8 also has a generous towing capacity. For additional power and performance, there is the separately reviewed SQ8 and RS Q8.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

2023 Audi Q8 for sale near you

3 of 14 listings

Prestige 4dr SUV w/55 TFSI
MSRP: $61,995
152 mi away
Premium 4dr SUV w/55 TFSI
MSRP: $56,997
26 mi away
Premium 4dr SUV w/55 TFSI
MSRP: $49,995
143 mi away

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The Q8 is an all-around solid luxury SUV, but it comes with some drawbacks to consider. It can't seat as many people as the Q7, and the infotainment system can be difficult for some to use. Limited outward visibility and subpar fuel economy are other downsides we experienced during testing. If you're interested in the Q8's rivals, it competes against the highly ranked Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and the new kid on the block, the Genesis GV80. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the Q8's comfort, utility and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Q8 drive? With enough prodding, the Audi Q8 proves that it has the thrust to move at a good clip. In Edmunds' testing, 0-60 mph came in 5.6 seconds. That's quick, though other SUVs in the class with similar engines are either as quick or quicker. But throttle response in the default drive mode feels strangely weak, especially considering how much power is available. Response improves to acceptable levels in Sport mode.

The Q8 handles admirably through tight and sweeping corners alike. The suspension is properly buttoned-down in Sport mode, and body roll is nicely controlled. Only in higher-speed corners does the Q8's weight become a limiting factor. The steering is accurate and well tuned in terms of effort.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Q8? Like any good luxury SUV, the Q8 provides comfort in spades. We love the front seats' wide range of adjustment and cushy armrests. The seat padding is firm yet comfortable. Heating and ventilation functions seem subtle but are effective over time.

The Q8's suspension manages both compliance and body control very well. While this Audi isn't the cushiest of rides, it provides a sufficiently comfortable ride quality. At highway speeds, there's a marginal amount of road noise and slightly more wind noise around the windshield. Otherwise, all other ambient noise is nicely isolated.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Audi's bold decision to go full touchscreen on its latest infotainment interface is controversial. Some of our team found the interface distracting and easy to smudge, while others liked the clean look and operation. We were more united in our dislike of the Q8's limited visibility. The rake of the front windshield and rear glass does shrink your view out, and the front and rear roof pillars are on the thick side.

The Q8 offers plenty of room, though. The space up front is generous even if the lower roofline gives the impression of less headroom than there is. The rear seating is surprisingly opulent, with excellent legroom, lots of toe clearance and ample headroom. The wide rear bench can hold three adults in agreeable comfort.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The MMI interface isn't for everybody, but you can't deny that the Q8's cabin tech looks fully modern and comes with plenty of features. We like that it supports wireless smartphone integration, and the Digital Cockpit instrument panel is both useful and crisp-looking.

We're less impressed by the voice control system, which isn't as full-featured as what Mercedes' MBUX system offers. It needs to be able to handle more functions, especially since Audi buried nearly all controls in the distracting infotainment system. The Q8's driver aids work well, but Audi's decision to make adaptive cruise control part of an optional midtrim package is irksome.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The Q8's design preserves most of the cargo space and offers people something attractive and cool to look at. The optional air suspension allows you to lower the rear for easier access to a wide cargo area. The split seats fold flat and provide a decent 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Storage is scarce for small items aside from the sizable door pockets. Car seat anchors hide behind removable covers, and the ample legroom ensures car seats of any size will fit.

The optional towing package gives the Q8 a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which is generous for the class. A trailer maneuver assist feature automatically guides the trailer while you're reversing — the driver swipes to control it on the lower MMI infotainment display.

Fuel Economy

6/10

How’s the fuel economy? Despite the mild hybrid powertrain, the Q8 is less efficient than much of its competition with comparable engines. Its rating of 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway) is about 2 mpg lower than most. We measured 19.5 mpg on our highway-heavy test loop, which is slightly lower than we anticipated. This may be due to the use of Sport mode to offset its sluggishness in Normal mode.

Value

7/10

Is the Q8 a good value? The Q8 exudes quality from the inside out. It's not just nice materials — the execution of the design and attention to detail also make the Q8 feel special. One interesting design detail is the use of frameless windows in the mold of a sports car. This is a rare feature for an SUV, yet the doors are solid and airtight.

That impressive build quality comes at a fairly steep price. Our fully loaded test vehicle came within a whisper of $100,000, which is quite a lot for a V6-powered midsize SUV. Audi's warranties are average for a luxury automaker.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The Q8 scores big points with its sporty styling, and thankfully it has the performance chops to back it up. Still, you're not going to be outrunning sport sedans in this thing even though it looks like you could. But you will have one of the coolest-looking SUVs in the lineup for school drop-offs.

Which Q8 does Edmunds recommend?

The Premium Plus trim hits the sweet spot in the Q8 lineup. It includes the long list of standard features found in the base Premium trim as well as the contents from the Convenience package. Features such as front seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel add extra comfort, and the 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system will impress almost anyone. Adaptive cruise control with lane keeping is also included for safer highway driving.

Compare 2023 Audi Q8 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2023 Audi Q8 models

Audi offers the Q8 in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, aided by a 48-volt hybrid assist system, produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This is the only engine available in the Q8, and it's attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission powering all four wheels.

Standard equipment in Premium trim includes:

21-inch wheels
Matrix-design LED headlights
Dynamic front and rear turn-signal animation
Heated, power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors
Adaptive suspension (improves ride comfort and handling)
Power liftgate
Panoramic sunroof
Digital gauge cluster (Audi's Virtual Cockpit Plus)
Three-zone automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Dual-touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
Audi Connect services

Every Q8 also has these standard safety systems:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Automatic high-beam assist

The Q8 Premium is available with a Convenience package that adds:

Wireless charging pad
Heated steering wheel
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Q8 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Q8 and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane at speed)

The Q8 Premium Plus includes the contents of the Convenience package, plus:

Front seat ventilation
Four-zone climate control
17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
Emergency stop assist (detects an unresponsive driver and brings the Q8 to a safe stop)
Upgraded interior ambient lighting

An Executive package is available for the Premium Plus, adding:

Heated rear seats
Power rear side window sunshades
Manual tailgate sunshade
Dual-pane side window glass for a quieter interior

The Q8 Prestige models include the Executive package plus:

Adaptive air suspension with comfort tuning
Electromechanical progressive (variable) steering system
Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
Head-up display
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Traffic sign recognition
Intersection assist (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision with cross traffic at an intersection)

Audi offers a Luxury package for the Prestige, which includes:

Massaging front seats wrapped in upgraded leather
Additional leather trim on upper door panels
Simulated suede headliner

Exclusive options for the Q8 Prestige include:

All-wheel steering
23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
Night vision camera (displays an infrared image of the area in front of the vehicle to assist while driving at night)

All three versions of the Q8 are available with a Towing package (7,700-pound towing capacity). The base Premium trim offers the Black Optic package (darker wheels and black exterior accents), while sporty S line packages are available on the Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi Q8 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$234/mo

$220/mo

Avg. Large SUV

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Audi Q8 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

52 reviews

5(62%)

4(15%)

3(8%)

2(11%)

1(4%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Audi, where have you been all my life?

Jim Shields, 04/20/2019

2019 Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI Premium quattro 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

After months of research I purchased the Q8 with Premium Trim. The Q8 has exceeded my expectations as a sporty and luxurious SUV. As a tall man (6’6”), I feel right at home in the Q8 and driving it is a lot of fun! This SUV has all kinds of power and smoothness. The Technology in the vehicle is a lot but it becomes fairly intuitive after a few days. Super quiet on the inside! One …

Pleasantly Surprised

Matt D, 06/22/2019

2019 Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

Have always shopped MB and BMW w/o much thought on Audis. When the MB debacle associated with the GLE 450 added six months (or more) to my delivery date I got my deposit back and started doing a bit more research. Never thought the "coupe" style SUVs were ugly personally, but I know they are polarizing. The Audi does a much better job making a sporty vehicle, so I figured it was worth …

Great overall package

Steve D, 07/04/2019

2019 Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI Premium quattro 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

Overall, we are really happy with our Q8. Regardless of published reviews, this car is very quick. Its a quiet ride, the technology is really strong. It gets constant looks or people asking us what model the car is. Its a definite 4 or 4.5 stars rating for us. A few things for the Audi designers to work on to make it a 5: - Remote start capability: Last four cars have had this, …

Quirky and Temperamental

JR , 08/02/2022

2019 Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

We have owned Audi's for the past 10 years. Our Q5 was hands down one of the best vehicles we have ever owned. We decided to pick up a Q8 after a great Q5 experience and figured it would be even better since it is Audi's flagship SUV. Boy were we wrong. It has been in the shop for repairs numerous times for locking malfunctions, MMI issues and most recently for a child locking …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Audi Q8, so we've included reviews for other years of the Q8 since its last redesign.

See all 52 reviews of the Audi Q8

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2023 Q8 Highlights

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$72,800
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$234/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Q8 models:

Audi Pre Sense: Uses sensors at the front and rear of the SUV to warn of an imminent collision and prepares the cabin. Can automatically apply the brakes too.
Audi Adaptive Cruise Assist: Maintains a driver-set distance between the Q8 and the car in front.
Audi Emergency Assist: With adaptive cruise control and lane keeping engaged, it can detect an unresponsive driver and bring the Q8 to a safe stop with the hazard lights flashing.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Audi Q8 Review

Price & Payment

2023 Audi Q8 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Q8 does Edmunds recommend?

2023 Audi Q8 models

Audi Q8 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Audi, where have you been all my life?

Pleasantly Surprised

Great overall package

Quirky and Temperamental

2023 Q8 Highlights

Safety

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