23/10/2023 The Audi Q8 e-tron is the German brands range topping electric SUV offering. In terms of size, the Q8 ‘e-tron’ is confusingly slightly smaller than the Q8 it shares branding and is an evolution of the original Audi e-tron – confused? I am! The Q8 e-tron sits on an EV platform and on the street is slightly smaller than a BMW X5. Q8 e-tron has a great squat stance that is striking. Q8 e-tron has a relatively low set roofline that makes it appear crossover-like. Two versions are available; an SUV and Sportback that has a sleeker sloping rear tailgate. The Sportback’s height is 1619mm with the SUV’s at 1633mm. For reference an X5 is 1765 mm tall. The Q8 e-tron is a long car at 4915 mm. On the road it looks planted and behind the wheel it feels exactly as you would imagine.
The interior is classic Audi in terms of fit and finish, but the cabin and dash area feels a bit classic in a slightly dated way. Compared to the latest generation of dash areas from BMW and Mercedes Benz like the EQE SUV the Q8 feels dull. That said a lot of premium car drivers really have little interest in going to night classes to get to grips with the intricacies of high tech dash interfaces. The Q8’s is less of a distraction than others. Side bar rant – as a captain of industry (aka as I age) I find myself wishing for some simplicity e.g. I wish there was a simple analog dial to dim the whole dash in one simple movement (voice activation isn’t quite there yet). Driving from urban to rural areas – with no light pollution can make a car’s interior lighting near blindingly bright!
On the road, the 2.5 tonne Q8 e-tron 55 Quattro feels solid and it has a very reassuring driving presence. There are driving modes but really as the car is weighty I drove like a saint most of the time to avoid having to make any new friends at public charging stations. Energy consumption averaged in the low/mid 20s kilowatts per 100km. The Q8 e-tron is brisk and quick but it’s not a sports car despite 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds in dynamic drive mode. Even though it is capable of impressive performance we spent most of the time behind the wheel simply happy to cruise along. Big Audis do an excellent job of reassuring the driver that they are that bit more special than most. The Q8 e-tron delivers a sensation of being top of your game, and this is the secret sauce that premium brands use, and their key to making money. Audi buyers already know that if you have a pulse, the minimum trim grade you want is S-Line. This sportier trim ‘ups’ the cars appearance, giving it a more purposeful/aggressive look.
Our test car is the all wheel drive, dual motor Q8 e-tron 55 quattro S-Line. Power output is 408hp/664nm. The rechargeable battery is big with a capacity of 114kWh or 106kWh net usable (that’s essentially two small EVs-worth). This battery is huge because the Q8 is a large, heavy car for its electric motors to shift. Audi quotes a maximum range from a full charge of 582km – and that is good. It can fast charge at up to 170kW speed. One option I’d tick is the rating of the onboard AC charger that can be upgraded from 11kW to 22kW performance – this makes slow public charges quite useful – especially with their longer ’10 hour’ maximum charging stay. Two charge ports feature on either side of the front flanks.
Entry specification is pretty grim relatively speaking and in order to feel really smug and content buyers have to hit the options list. Sidebar – all so called premium brands have been having a laugh at consumers expense for years. You’ll get more standard kit in a KIA than an Audi or BMW. Again car badge snobbery comes in to play and people want to be associated with different tribes and project status through the vehicle and sadly that won’t change.
Anyway back to the lovely Audi (they’re listening), our car the Q8 e-tron ’50 Quattro S-Line’ weighed in €102,649 including optional ecxtras. An example of some of the ticked options included red brake callipers at €513, a flat bottom steering wheel at €148. Matrix LED headlights and dynamic indicators are standard as is keyless, privacy glass, heated seats with four-way lumber support. Leather upholstery is standard as is a leather multifunction sports steering wheel. There are USB ports in the rear and the stock Audi sound system is pretty good.
In terms of safety, the Audi comes with the usual ADAS systems to assist drivers stay safe. There’s also camera based traffic sign recognition system, cruise control/speed limiter and lane departure warning and a reverse camera (not all Audis have reversing cameras as standard). The Q8 e-tron despite my grumblings is a very good car… it is just not outstanding. The image projected is one of a driver who has their act together and has clearly money to spend. The Q8 e-tron is a handsome machine but sadly not jaw dropping. Buyers will feel content and quite smug, which, for premium brands is mission accomplished. There are many interesting cars at this rarified price point, and the best I could say about Q8 e-tron is that it is one of them. Audi Q8 e-tron starts from €87,885 (SUV) and €90,790 (Sportback). Out test car cost €106,395 including optional extras. The range topping ’S’Q8 e-tron cost a bit more starting at €122,420 (SUV) and €125,290 (Sportback). Michael Sheridan
