Audi Q8 – RANKINGS, COMPARISONS AND INFORMATION SHEETS

OUR SCORE

We rank the Audi Q8 #3 in the Mid-Size Luxury SUV Category.   

SCORES BY PUBLICATION:

Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5

Car and Driver: 7.5 / 10

USNews: 8.3 / 10

Edmunds: 7.8 / 10

J.D. Power: 74 / 100

 

What the critics have to say…

The 2021 Audi Q8 is Audi’s range-topping SUV. It’s mechanically related to Audi’s Q7 three-row SUV. But for the Q8, Audi ditches the third-row seat and adds sportier styling. The result is an impressive midsize SUV with more headroom than similar coupe-style SUV competitors.
— Edmunds

The 2022 Audi Q8 ranks near the top of the luxury midsize SUV class thanks in part to its burly engine performance, composed handling, relaxing ride quality, and top-notch cabin with room for five. A lofty starting price and poor fuel economy ratings are two of its few negatives.
— USNews

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

The Q8 is an odd beast. It has plenty of power on paper and it can get up to speed in a hurry, just not as fast as some of its competitors.  There is a slight lag between punching the gas and the Q8 dropping the bit, but it’s a good drive nonetheless. 

The Q8 handles very well with little to no body roll.   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.

IS IT RELIABLE AND HIGH QUALITY?

The Audi Q8 has a predicted reliability score of 68 of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Audi Q8 Warranty

Audi covers the Q8 with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.

HOW COMFORTABLE IS IT?

The Q8 is extremely comfortable.  The front and back seats are firm yet plush.    Heating and ventilation functions are slower to cause effect, but in our opinion better over time.

The Q8s ride isn’t as good as that of the Mercedes GLE, but it is very good.   At highway speeds, there’s a marginal amount of road noise wind noise around the windshield. 

WHAT IS THE INTERIOR LIKE?

WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY LIKE?

The MMI interface is love or hate from a functionality point of view, but it looks fantastic.   It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and traditional Android Auto. 

The voice control system, isn’t as full-featured as what Mercedes’ MBUX system offers. 

WHAT IS THE CARGO SPACE LIKE?

The Q8’s offers cargo space in line with other top dogs in this segment.   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. 

IS THIS VEHICLE A GOOD VALUE?

The Q8 is top quality from the inside out. It is a unique vehicle which in of itself makes the Q8 special. One interesting design detail is the use of frameless windows in the mold of a sports car. This is a rare feature for a SUV, yet the doors are solid and airtight.

Audi’s warranties are average for a luxury automaker.

IS THE Audi Q8 A GOOD SUV?

The Audi Q8 is a great luxury midsize SUV. It ticks nearly every box that you may be looking to tick. 

That being said, the Q8 isn’t without its issues. Its fuel economy is well below average for this segment, which isn’t exactly a high bar to begin with. 

SHOULD I BUY THE Audi Q8?

The Audi Q8 is worth adding to your list of potential SUVs. It compares well with all of its competitors.  It just isn’t the most practical or affordable option in this segment. If that’s what you’re looking for, the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, or Audi Q7 may be better options. These SUVs provide more cargo space and all three command lower starting prices as well.

THE FINAL WORD

The  Audi Q8 is a great choice if you don’t need a third row.  It just isn’t the cheapest alternative in this packed segment.