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Audi Q8 e-tron

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Audi Q8 e-tron

(2019 - present)

    Summary


    The Audi Q8 e-tron is a large electric SUV/crossover vehicle and Audi’s first production electric car, 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 September 2023, the Audi e-tron holds an Expert Rating of 67%, based on 60 reviews published by the UK motoring media. This is a combination of reviews of the original e-tron and early reviews of the updated Q8 e-tron.

    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 £70,195 on-road

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


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

    +

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    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

    +

    Move Electric

    +

    Parkers

    +

    RAC

    +

    The Sun

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    The Telegraph

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which EV?

    +

    Which?

    +

    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 September 2023, the Audi e-tron has not yet been lab tested 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 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 models303 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£308C
    Year 2£646C
    Year 3£1,031B
    Year 4£1,260C
    Year 5£1,649B
    Overall£4,894C

    Despite being an EV, the Audi Q8 e-tron isn’t the cheapest 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, which means 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.

    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

    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

    408hp for Audi e-tron electric SUV

    408hp for Audi e-tron electric SUV

    Awards


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

    2023

    • What Car? EV Awards – Best Used Electric Luxury Car

    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)
    • What Car? Awards – Best Large Electric Car for Comfort + Best Coupé SUV for Comfort (e-tron Sportback)

    2020

    • What Car? Awards – Best Large Electric Car over £70,000

    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

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    Subscribe to 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