Audi Q8 e-tron review

Do not adjust your television sets, etc, this is not a brand new model from Audi but rather the facelifted version of its flagship electric SUV, the e-tron. Audi’s made styling tweaks, a few aero changes, updated the powertrains and batteries and added a little ‘Q8’ badge on the back to align the car with its flagship combustion SUV. 

Blurring those lines is what the Q8 e-tron is all about: it doesn’t scream about its electric powertrain, it just quietly gets on with the business of flinging you down the road with the sort of premium solidness you’d expect.

What flavours does the Q8 e-tron come in? 

If you’re interested in all the Q8 e-tron detail then dive into the Buying section for more – it does get complicated. There are three versions of the electric powertrain to choose from (50, 55 and S), two body styles (the normal SUV and the more coupe-like Sportback version) and four trim levels. All the trim levels are available on the 50 and 55 cars, whether SUV or coupe, but the S-badged cars only come in the two highest specs. Phew.

But is it well equipped?

The Q8 e-tron is as executive as you’d expect here. Even the base trim of the Q8 e-tron is so well equipped that you can hardly imagine how Audi might be able to ram more stuff in and up the price (spoiler: it succeeds). You get 20in wheels, air suspension, LED headlights, an electric opening boot, electrically adjustable front heated seats, all the touchscreens you could want and 360-degree parking sensors.

The scrimping on the entry powertrains – the 335bhp 50 model – comes with the battery, which is a ‘mere’ 89kWh for a range of up to 290 miles. Upgrade to a pricier 55 car and you get a 106kWh battery that will manage up to 343 miles in aero friendly coupe form.

What about charging?

Audi says that the Q8 e-tron has been upgraded to charge at a maximum of 170kW – lower than some headline grabbing rivals the firm admits, but what the clever engineers have done is go for a lower charging sweet spot that the car can sustain for longer. Because they wanted the car to be more dependable to live with. Isn’t that kind.

Is it practical?

There’s quite decent room in the back of the Q8 e-tron, you don’t get the obvious sense that the floor has been compromised by hundreds of battery cells being crammed under the floor. Even in the Sportback version there’s a decent amount of headroom for rear passengers. Three adults on the rear bench might be a bit of a chore with the diminished legroom in the middle, but kids would be fine.

What's it up against?

The electric SUV segment is awash with contenders, so you've got the likes of the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC to consider if the Q8 e-tron doesn't do it for you at the eye-wateringly expensive end of the spectrum. Cue a timely hyperlink to our Devonshire group test of the Tesla, Jag and Audi.

It’s not a profound facelift that Audi’s made to its flagship electric SUV, but the Q8 e-tron is one of the easiest ways to go electric – you’ll hardly notice you’re doing it. It hits all the right Audi notes of premium, solid quality without resorting to brash gimmicks to try and get you to notice it.

It’s heavy, yes, and expensive too, so it’s hardly like it’s making electric propulsion available to the masses and has no particular claims to be saving the planet. This is the electric vehicle as a luxury tool, and as a refined, imposing grand tourer it makes a solid case for itself over most of its electric rivals.