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2018 Audi Q8 SUV review

In the lineup of Audi SUVs, the Q8 offers an expressive design and an ultra-modern interior, making it both athletic and wealthy. To find out how it compares, read our review.

Audi’s flagship SUV has a more aggressive appearance since it is intended to be a dynamic complement to the company’s other large SUV, the Q7. Despite the Q8’s controversial and unusual style, purchasers will be wowed by its stunningly contemporary interior and abundant technology, practicality, and performance.

Audi Q8 operating costs

It is true that a large SUV, especially an audio one, is not cheap, but more importantly, the Audi Q8’s pricing is competitive with that of its key rivals. if you’re referring to the entry-level S-line model. The top-of-the-line Vorsprung model rises by about $20,000, making it much more expensive than most rivals, but it also comes with almost all of the available options for an S line.

However, Audi outperforms most rivals regarding official fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions data, primarily due to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Later, more on that. The smallest wheel size is 21 inches in diameter. Therefore tire replacement will be pricey from a wear and tear standpoint. However, this technique is unlikely to affect service costs substantially. To cover other consumables, looking into Audi service packages is worthwhile.

Audi Q8 SUV

Audi Q8 reliability

Despite lacking information on the Q8 or the more recent Q7, with which it shares most of its mechanical hardware, Audi ranks poorly in Warranty Direct’s manufacturer rankings. Similar findings were found in J.D. Power’s annual Vehicle Dependability Study, which consistently ranked Audi at the bottom. Many advanced driver assistance features in the Q8 are already present in other vehicles in the lineup. This is comforting from a dependability perspective since they have been tried and true.

Although Audi’s historical track record doesn’t inspire confidence, we’ll have to wait and see how the Q8 performs before passing judgment. Audi offers a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty similar to its other models. For an extra fee that varies by model, owners can extend the contract for a final time of 75,000 miles. The same procedure is followed for developing coverage by a fifth year or up to 90,000 kilometres.

Safety for the Audi Q8

Six airbags, matrix LED headlights that can bend their entire beams around approaching cars to avoid blinding other drivers, and driver assistance technologies like automated emergency braking and lane departure warning are standard on all Q8 models.

The Q8 can be equipped with 39 different driver-assistance technologies if you’re willing to scavenge the list of options, although many of them are included as standard equipment with the Vorsprung trim. Among these are a 360-degree camera, a system for recognizing traffic signs using cameras, and a more sophisticated cruise control system that essentially does semi-autonomous driving.

Audi Q8 SUV

How comfortable is the Audi Q8

The inside of the Audi Q8, a premium SUV in the Audi lineup, is influenced by the same cutting-edge features seen in the A8 and A7. The result is a dashboard that uses digital touchscreens whenever possible and is almost entirely free of conventional buttons. A secondary 8.6-inch display for altering the climate and seat settings is below the main 10.1-inch display in the high-gloss black instrument panel. When disabled,

These screens add to the already clean appearance by partially blending into the black dashboard surface. Although using all of these requires some getting accustomed to, the system is quite simple to use given the variety of functions you can manage and their complexity. The instrument cluster on most Audis now features a programmable 12.3-inch screen, and a sizable head-up display is now an option.

Most significantly, the interior is made of exceptionally high-quality materials, preserving Audi’s reputation for having some of the industry’s most extraordinary interiors and giving the car a sumptuous feel. Although the Audi Q8 is the sportier SUV in the lineup, it doesn’t lack practicality. The Q8 only has five seats, unlike the Q7, but even the middle-seat passenger has plenty of room to stretch out in the back because of the car’s extended wheelbase. It has a spacious glove box as well. When the backs of the rear seats are folded down, the boot’s capacity increases to 1,755 litres from its standard 605 litres.

Audi Q8 SUV

There is a slight slope to negotiate to sit flat on these back seats. The broad aperture and low loading lip of the boot and the electrically actuated tailgate make loading easier. The Q8 will come with a helpful Trailer Assist feature for constantly moving people. This eliminates the inconvenience of having to reverse when towing a trailer and is simple to use, thanks to the twin screens on the dash.

Depending on your driving mode, the Q8’s standard air suspension adjusts the stiffness and ride height. The ride still has a rather stiff edge even when set to the more forgiving “comfort” mode, so it doesn’t feel as slick as you might anticipate. However, it’s still flexible enough to put you at ease at most speeds and on most surfaces. Choose the sportier setting, which may be too harsh for some customers.

Although the Q8 feels incredibly snappy for a vast, heavy SUV, even in Comfort mode, it’s recommended to keep it in that mode because it makes handling sharper thanks to slightly better body roll prevention. All-wheel steering, which turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front ones to increase agility and make high-speed shifts more stable, is also an option on S line and Edition 1 vehicles and standard on Vorsprung variants.

The system’s advantages are most apparent at slower speeds since it makes turning and low-speed manoeuvring easier and the turning circle smaller because the front and back wheels rotate in different directions. Short overhangs and a suspension that may raise the car’s ride height and, as a result, increase ground clearance help the car’s off-road credentials. All-wheel drive is adequate as standard. But I don’t think the Q8 is a high-end mud stopper.

The performance and power of the Audi Q8

We drove the sole diesel Audi Q8; a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 286 horsepower. Audi quattro all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmission are included as standard. Even the slightest pressure on the accelerator pedal produces impressive acceleration thanks to the Q8’s ample torque, which delivers a robust, muscular performance from low revs that makes life simple. Additionally, all that torque aids in towing.

The Q8’s gearbox, on the other hand, hinders the responsiveness of the vehicle. The gearbox will take around a second to decide what it wants to do before doing the requested quick burst of acceleration and another about a second after that. A big surge of thrusting occurs all at once after a short period of shared delay, giving the unsettling impression that nothing is happening. Unfortunately, the gearbox otherwise makes shifts with the kind of grace you’d expect from a luxury vehicle.

A mild hybrid system that uses a 48-volt battery in the back of the vehicle helps with fuel economy. This permits the combustion engine to switch down for up to 40 seconds while the battery powers the onboard systems when the Q8 travels between 34 and 99 mph. Once you press the throttle, the engine smoothly restarts. A 340bhp petrol variant is also available, but we haven’t tried it yet.

Audi Q8 SUV

Additionally, Audi provides two models with exceptional performance. Originally a high-performance diesel, the SQ8’s engine has evolved into a potent 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with 507 horsepower. This engine is part of a mild hybrid system that employs a 48-volt battery in the back of the vehicle to save on fuel. This permits the combustion engine to switch down for up to 40 seconds while the battery powers the onboard systems when the Q8 travels between 34 and 99 mph. Once you press the throttle, the engine smoothly restarts. A 340bhp petrol variant is also available, but we haven’t tried it yet.

A 340-horsepower gasoline engine is also available, although we haven’t tried it yet. Additionally, Audi provides two models with exceptional performance. The SQ8 has shifted from a high-performance diesel engine to a potent 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with 507hp. When you press the accelerator, the engine smoothly restarts. A 340 horsepower petrol alternative is also available, although we haven’t tried it yet. Additionally, Audi provides two models with exceptional performance. The SQ8’s engine has been upgraded from a high-performance diesel to a potent 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with 507hp; once you press the accelerator, the engine smoothly restarts.

RAMI

My name is Rami, and I bring a wealth of experience in automotive media to the table. Over the years, I have delved deep into the world of cars, reporting on the intricate buying, selling, and servicing processes for renowned industry publications. My passion doesn't stop there – I am equally devoted to capturing the essence of classic cars through my writing. I derive immense joy from unearthing and narrating the captivating stories of the individuals, trends, and cultures intertwined with these automotive masterpieces. As a lifelong enthusiast, I have rolled up my sleeves and dived into vehicle restoration and maintenance. I have been immersed in everything from the timeless allure of 1960s cars, the quirks of Fiats and MGs, to the cutting-edge technology of modern-day machines. My expertise extends across a broad spectrum of automobiles, and I take great pride in sharing my knowledge with others who share the same zeal for cars. Through my writing, I aim to enrich and inform readers with insightful industry knowledge, captivating narratives, and an unwavering passion for all things automotive. As I continue on this thrilling journey, I am dedicated to not just reporting on cars but also breathing life into the rich tapestry of stories that make the automotive world endlessly fascinating.

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