2024 Audi RS Q8

Practicality is all well and good, but plenty of luxury SUV buyers can live without a third seating row. They just want the raised driving position, high-class appointments, the safety of all-wheel drive and various technological assistance features, plus the prestige that only something like an Audi can bring. Based on the 3-row Q7 midsize SUV, the Q8 is the more indulgent choice.

In addition to touting a refined and spacious interior, the Q8 emphasizes comfort from its seat cushions to its suspension. Or, if anyone wants to blend that special Audi appearance with a sportier driving experience, there’s the SQ8 or the more extreme RS Q8.

The Q8 made its debut for the 2019 model year, 12 months before the current generation of BMW X6. Newer competition comes in the form of the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe.

The all-electric Q8 e-tron SUV is reviewed separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the Audi Q8.

Audi has restyled both ends of the Q8. Adaptive cruise control gains a display mode showing lane-change alerts, distance warnings, and intersection assistance. Users can also download third-party apps like Spotify or Amazon Music using the Audi app store in the infotainment system.

Even in this exclusive corner of the automotive world, some superb alternatives exist. The BMW X6 starts at $73.9K. The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is a 2-vehicle lineup consisting of high-performance AMG models priced from $89.8K, so they would be more competitive against the SQ8 and RS Q8 variants. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe (which shares a platform with the Q8) begins at $84.3K. The new Genesis GV80 Coupe debuts as a 2025 model, and we estimate its starting price will be in the region of $70K. If it turns out that three seating rows are necessary, the Q7 starts at $59.5K.

Before buying a new Q8 luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. People who can afford a 2024 Q8 may not care too much about resale values, but we will say that its performance in this respect is about average.

A turbocharged V6 provides the 2024 Q8 with 355 horsepower and propels it from a standstill to 60 mph in a respectable 5.5 seconds. Then again, the most affordable BMW X6, the xDrive40i, has 375 horsepower and shaves 0.3 of a second from the Q8’s acceleration time.

This may not matter much because the Q8 puts luxury and comfort above sportiness. And we’re fine with this approach. Not that the Q8 is at all sloppy, but anyone seeking a driver’s edge will be happier with the X6. Or they could spend more on a 500-horsepower SQ8 and hit 60 mph in just four seconds. Or even more on an RS Q8 and channel its awesome 591 horsepower into an equally awesome time of 3.7 seconds.

 Fuel Economy

Most Q8 buyers probably don’t have fuel economy high on their list of priorities, but it’s still slightly disappointing that this V6-powered luxury SUV can only manage 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The BMW X6 xDrive40i achieves 24 mpg combined. Putting a V8 in the picture, the SQ8 returns 17 mpg combined, and the RS Q8 is thirstier by one mile per gallon.

More fuel economy information can be found on the EPA website.

Audi really knows how to make gorgeous interiors, and the Q8 is a perfect example. It’s clean and kind of futuristic — with a digital driver information display and a pair of touchscreens — yet also welcoming and luxurious. The materials are high-quality and the way they’ve been assembled is superb.

Putting just five seats (instead of seven or eight) into a midsize SUV means plenty of space for both rows. Rear passengers have a generous 40.2 inches of legroom, almost 5 inches more than the BMW X6. All the seats are comfortable. The commodious luggage area behind the rear seats measures 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 60.7 when those seats are folded down. If anyone needs more than that, perhaps they should get a panel van. The BMW X6’s cargo-carrying capacity is slightly less than the Q8’s.

The only thing we’re not so happy about is outward vision, which is restricted by wide rear pillars. But technology comes to the rescue with standard blind-spot monitoring.

Styling revisions this year freshen up the Q8’s looks, although in subtle ways. The front air intakes are noticeably larger than before. The optional Black Optic package for things like the grille and window surrounds is particularly cool. The SQ8 Prestige version now offers the option of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) taillights, joined by an LED bar going across the tailgate.

There are different wheel designs, plus new metallic paint finishes — Sakhir Gold is offered with both the Q8 and SQ8, while Ascari Blue is available on the SQ8.

The Q8 doesn’t go for the full coupe-inspired SUV look like the BMW X6 but slants its roof at a slightly more rakish angle than its highly practical Q7 stablemate.

Virtual Cockpit Plus
Audi blazed this digital instrument cluster trail and still remains at the forefront. It can be configured to show various kinds of information, including navigation directions, and there isn’t much of a learning curve.

Animated Matrix-design LED headlights
Fitted as standard, they can adapt automatically to retain optimum illumination while not dazzling other drivers. They can even project animated patterns on walls when the Q8 is parked, which is kind of fun.

Bang & Olufsen audio
Our ears always perk up whenever there’s a Bang & Olufsen system to enjoy. The Q8 supplies an immersive 17-speaker, 730-watt setup in the Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

360-degree camera system
This is another standard feature coming in at the Premium Plus level, showing a complete view of the Q8’s surroundings — always helpful when maneuvering.

Remote Park Assist Plus
Even more helpful when maneuvering is this self-parking feature for parallel and perpendicular spaces, which comes in at the Prestige level.

Comfort adaptive air suspension
This is standard in the Q8’s Prestige trim, bringing the most luxurious ride quality. It can increase its composure when cornering, reduce the ride height on freeways to optimize aerodynamics, and lower the rear end to make loading and unloading easier.

The Q8 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, making 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The SQ8 employs a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, developing 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The RS Q8 boosts that V8’s output to 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.

An 8-speed automatic transmission connected to every engine, sending power to a standard all-wheel-drive system. Maximum towing capacity is 7,700 pounds.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-car warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s typical for luxury marques, especially European manufacturers.

Safety Ratings

The Audi Q8 scored a maximum 5-Star overall rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.