Audi Q8 E-Tron
How It Looks on the Street: The Audi Q8 E-Tron has a sophisticated stance, an eye-catching grille, and slanted headlights that wrap around the front end. It’s aesthetically pleasing, but as much about the function as the form — more on that below.
But first to assess the Q8 E-Tron Quattro requires some context for new EV buyers. The original Audi Q8, its two-row midsize flagship SUV, was introduced in 2018. It upped Audi’s presence in the lucrative luxe category. Then, in 2019 Audi debuted its E-Tron, what started out as the slightly smaller electrified version of the Q8, but longer and wider than the Auci Q7. As Audi expanded its electrified portfolio over the past few years, it’s stuck with the E-Tron nomenclature on nameplates across its portfolio, which includes the E-Tron GT, a sports car, and the Audi Q4 E-Tron, a small SUV. It’s also making Sportback versions of these cars which add a curvy dimension to the exterior design. (The Audi Q5 is currently sold as a plug-in hybrid, meaning part gas, part battery, and thus part-E-tron.) Now for its 2024 mid-cycle refresh Audi as flipped the order of names, which brings us to the Audi Q8 E-Tron. Confused yet?
Change is not easy nor linear, but Audi is moving in the right direction with a better product all around in the Q8 E-Tron. When the E-Tron first debuted four years ago, it was fairly early to the EV SUV marketplace, and so it had areas where it took some criticism -- lackluster handing and limited range for a full EV. Audi has straightened all of that ou,t zeroing in on the driving experience, making Q8 E-Tron a solid contender for the fancy EV driving family.
How it makes you feel when you get in: My whole family was on board, and liked the quiet, insulated cabin. The harmony of tech and modern design results in a clean uncluttered interior space, an area where Audi has consistently led in the industry. The all-black interior to house all that tech, which gave it a sleek look. We drove the model with the $10k addition of Premium trim that includes a head-up display. Wireless CarPlay makes the flow of info smooth. Controls are mostly touch screens, which require a bit of learning curve to operate through various menu options. Two screen illuminate the cabin.All five seats are comfortable and well appointed, even for adults in the back, who had access to USB ports. Safety standards include automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic notifications, lane keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control is also availalble.
How it drives: So all those exterior tweaks aren’t just for looks — Audi say they improve the aerodynamics and therefore the driving experience. The two motors manage battery power more efficiently, and the battery itself is bigger, which results in an estimate 285 mile range, an improvement over the outgoing model. In New York City pothole-filled traffic, the Q8 coasted over rugged streets. The added torque made it easy to dart around traffic that made the SUV nimble and its air suspension is responsible for the smooth ride. To charge back on a DC fast charger takes about a half hour. This new alchemy evens out to solid performance creditials and a smooth ride.
Space for people and things: Ample interior space and comfy front and roomy back seats for passengers. The whole family has elbow room and places to store things in the 28.5 foot storage in the rear, and even more when seats are folded. I didn’t explore the size front storage, but its tucked in for safekeeping small things.
How much does it cost: The base price is $74,400. Our test vehicle was $88,990.
What you should compare it to: Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, BMX IX and the Genesis GV70.