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Expert Rating

Audi Q8 e-tron

(2019 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

67
%
B

Used car score:

63
%
C

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

66
%
C

Safety Rating:

68
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

58
%
D

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

67
%
B

Used car score:

63
%
C

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

66
%
C

Safety Rating:

68
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

58
%
D

Summary


The Audi Q8 e-tron is a large electric SUV/crossover vehicle and Audi’s first production electric car. Originally named the ‘Audi e-tron’ when launched in early 2019, the SUV picked up the ‘Q8’ moniker after its 2022 facelift, despite not being related to the combustion-powered Audi Q8 range.

The Q8 e-tron is available in two similar body styles; a conventional SUV with a fairly vertical tailgate, and a slightly sleeker ‘coupé-SUV’ liftback version called the Q8 e-tron Sportback. The front half of the two cars is the same.

The Audi e-tron has received positive reviews from the UK automotive media, with scores ranging from good to outstanding. The lowest scores have tended to be from performance-oriented titles like Top Gear and Evo, while the highest scores have come from consumer titles like Honest John and Auto Express.

The e-tron has received particular praise for its smooth and quiet drivetrain, practicality and overall refinement. The main criticisms levelled at it argue that it’s not as exciting to drive as a Jaguar I-Pace and the optional rear-view wing cameras are a bit gimmicky.

Facelifted in the late months of 2022, the updated model features several cosmetic tweaks and an improved battery range.

As of January 2025, the Audi e-tron holds a New Car Expert Rating of B (67%) and a slightly lower Used Car Expert Rating of C (63%), based on 62 published media reviews – for the original e-tron and the updated Q8 e-tron – as well as Euro NCAP safety ratings, and running costs.

Q8 e-tron highlights

  • Comfortable, refined, spacious
  • Plenty of advanced technology
  • Drives better than expected for a heavy car
  • Similarities to regular Audis will appeal to some

Q8 e-tron lowlights

  • More expensive than Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC
  • Battery range not as good as rivals
  • Expensive camera option to replace mirrors not worth it
  • Not as dramatic as a Tesla Model X

Key specifications


Body style: Large SUV and coupé-SUV
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £70,910 on-road

Launched: Winter 2018/19
Last updated: Winter 2022/23
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Discover EV

+

Driving Electric

+

Electrifying.com

+

Evo

+

Fleetworld

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Which EV?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 76%

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Audi e-tron has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Q8 e-tron is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models301 milesA175 – 343 milesA – C
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models2.9 m/KWhE2.3 – 3.3 m/KWhE – E
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models50F43 – 50D – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£436D
Year 2£833C
Year 3£1,272C
Year 4£1,525C
Year 5£2,014C
Overall£6,080C

Despite being an EV, the Audi Q8 e-tron isn’t a cheap car in the world to own and run. That’s according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is poor, so you don’t get as much range out of the battery as you would in another car with a similarly sized battery.

Insurance is also likely to be pricey as the Q8 e-tron models all sit in the higher groups, with most in the very top Group 50.

Servicing and maintenance costs are reasonable for a premium car in this price range – more expensive than average for an electric vehicle but cheaper than an equivalent petrol or diesel Audi SUV.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Audi e-tron and Q8 e-tron

Date: June 2024
Recall number: R/2024/259
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2023 to 03/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 37
Defect: On affected vehicles the bolts for the brake pressure lines may have been tightened too far. In such cases the bolted connection may fail resulting in brake fluid escaping.
Remedy: Check the bolted connection and replace the brake pressure lines if required.

Date: February 2024
Recall number: R/2024/041
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2019 to 11/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 737
Defect: Certain vehicles with a specific type of high-voltage battery may have cell modules with technical irregularities regarding their charging and discharging characteristics. This may lead to the high-voltage battery overheating potentially creating a risk of fire.
Remedy: To minimise this risk temporarily do not charge the high-voltage battery above 80% capacity. The vehicle will be inspected and where necessary the individual cells within the high voltage battery will be replaced.

Date: February 2022
Recall number: R/2022/036
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 5,327
Defect: Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed.
Remedy: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.

Date: October 2021
Recall number: R/2021/398
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 119
Defect: Components of the brake pressure unit may corrode during the vehicle’s service life.
Remedy: The electromechanical brake servo must be replaced on the affected vehicles.

Date: August 2021
Recall number: R/2021/306
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2020 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 292
Defect: On vehicles manufactured within a specific period a brake servo which has a manufacturing discrepancy may have been fitted.
Remedy: The electromechanical brake servo must be replaced on the affected vehicles.

Date: August 2021
Recall number: R/2021/305
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2021 to 03/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 58
Defect: There may be a loss of power and the message “Safely stop vehicle” may appear.
Remedy: Conduct a software update of the electric drive on the vehicles affected.

Date: June 2021
Recall number: R/2021/236
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 10,089
Defect: One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links.
Remedy: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.

Date: June 2019
Recall number: R/2019/182
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2019 to 04/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 238
Defect: Water ingress into the high- voltage battery potentially causing a short circuit and risk of fire.
Remedy: Permanent solution being developed. Owners offered an alternative vehicle until solution availible if required.

As of August 2024, there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Audi e-tron and Q8 e-tron models. These cover sunroof motors, tyre size data, software and different battery issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used e-tron or Q8 e-tron, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Security rating

Thatcham Research 600x300

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass

Date: 2019


More news, reviews and information about the Audi Q8 e-tron at The Car Expert

Everything you need to know about Audi

Everything you need to know about Audi

Audi prices up facelifted Q8 e-tron SUV

Audi prices up facelifted Q8 e-tron SUV

The ten best-selling electric cars of 2021

The ten best-selling electric cars of 2021

All new Audi models to be electric only in just five years

All new Audi models to be electric only in just five years

Audi unveils all-electric e-tron Sportback

Audi unveils all-electric e-tron Sportback

Audi e-tron electric car among five-star safety winners

Audi e-tron electric car among five-star safety winners

Electric car market flat due to long waiting times

Electric car market flat due to long waiting times

Audi e-tron test drive

Audi e-tron test drive

Geneva 2019: All electric for Audi

Geneva 2019: All electric for Audi

Audi plugs in with four new hybrids

Audi plugs in with four new hybrids

Paris show round-up – more of the new cars

Paris show round-up – more of the new cars

Audi e-tron first of electric family

Audi e-tron first of electric family

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Audi Q8 e-tron has received

2022

  • Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for Families
  • Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Luxury EV

2021

  • carwow Awards – Best Large Electric Car (e-tron Sportback)

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Audi Q8 e-tron, you might also be interested in these alternatives

BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Jaguar I-Pace | Mercedes-Benz EQC | Tesla Model X

Buy an Audi Q8 e-tron


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The Audi Q8 e-tron has received positive media reviews, with praise for its smooth and quiet drivetrain, practicality and overall refinement.Audi Q8 e-tron