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Expert Rating

Audi Q8

(2018 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

59
%
D

Used car score:

54
%
E

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

63
%
C

Safety Rating:

72
%
B

Eco Rating:

58
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

28
%
E

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

59
%
D

Used car score:

54
%
E

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

63
%
C

Safety Rating:

72
%
B

Eco Rating:

58
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

28
%
E

Summary


The Audi Q8 is the German brand’s SUV flagship, and is basically a coupe version of the big-selling Q7. Confusingly, it’s unrelated to the similarly named Audi Q8 e-tron, which is an electric SUV.

The Q8 was launched back in 2018, with a facelifted model range arriving in the second half of 2023. This consisted of a few cosmetic changes and some on-board tech updates.

When The Car Expert tested the Q8, we described it as “a car for buyers who want the elegance of a luxury coupé and the convenience of a large SUV” while wondering just how many buyers would actually want such a vehicle.

While based on the Audi Q7, the Q8 is shorter, lower and wider, offering five seats instead of seven. The car demonstrates its sporty appeal with much bolder visuals particularly on the front end – styling according to Auto Trader that can be “as divisive as it is distinctive.”

Despite the sculpted looks and sloping roof the Q8 is surprisingly practical with lots of space in the rear. Being an Audi the fit and finish interior is to excellent standards and the technology both extensive and bang up to date. But to get all the bells and whistles that are available you have to dip deeply into the options list which can add serious extra cost – Top Gear points out the high-spec Vorsprung model is priced at around £18,000 more than the S-Line, which itself is well specified.

Power options range across a 3.0-litre petrol of 340hp and a 286hp 3.0-litre diesel, along with a couple of plug-in hybrid units. There is also a high-performance version, the SQ8, with a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine pumping out 507hp and even an RS Q8 version with 600hp and a sub 4-second 0-62mph time.

On the road the Q8 is confident and lives up to its sporty billing – according to Auto Express it “offers good road manners and superb refinement, as well as a plush ride – if you avoid Dynamic mode.”

As of January 2025, the Audi Q8 holds an Expert Rating of D with a score of 59%. It has a good safety rating, but media review scores have been average and running costs are very high.

Audi Q8 highlights

  • Surprisingly practical
  • Powerful performance
  • Lots of tech
  • Strong standard safety spec

Audi Q8 lowlights

  • Styling can be divisive
  • Options add lots of expense
  • Lots of safety kit on options list
  • Super potent S and RS versions seem a bit pointless

Key specifications


Body style: Large SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £76,410 on-road

Launched: Summer 2018
Last updated: Autumn 2023
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

+

Evo

+

Heycar

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

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

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 73%

The current Audi Q8 was tested in 2019 and gained a five-star rating. Testers highlighted the effectiveness of the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking and the car scored maximum points in several of the impact tests. Audi offers a wide range of active safety systems but many are expensive options.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Audi Q8 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

If the Q8 is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Audi Q8 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Q8, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

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

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models26 mpgE22 – 28 mpgE – E
Diesel models34 mpgD31 – 35 mpgD – E
Plug-in hybrid models199 mpgA26 – 217 mpgA – E
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models251 g/kmD230 – 290 g/kmD – D
Diesel models218 g/kmD212 – 240 g/kmD – D
Plug-in hybrid models32 g/kmA30 – 67 g/kmA – A
Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
Plug-in hybrid models49 milesD28 – 51 milesC – E
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models50F47 – 50D – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£469D
Year 2£1,101D
Year 3£1,836D
Year 4£2,232D
Year 5£2,810D
Overall£8,448D

Running costs for the Audi Q8 range are very high, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is poor for petrol models but a bit better for diesel-engined versions, though still rather disappointing. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 103 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…

The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is weak when compared to class-leading rivals, with around 29 miles of real-world electric-only driving. It means that most households could do some of their weekly driving without using any petrol, but not all without consistently recharging.

Compared to the rest of the large SUV sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are a bit higher than average. Insurance premiums are likely to be expensive too, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Audi Q8

Date: January 2024
Recall number: R/2024/018
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2023 to 10/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 187
Defect: The function of the side airbag may be restricted due to the airbag not being sufficiently secured to the front left seat frame.
Remedy: Conduct a check of the airbag to ensure it is secured correctly; if necessary the side airbag is to be correctly hooked in position and resecured.

Date: November 2023
Recall number: R/2023/331
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 13
Defect: A weld seam on the outer backrest frame of the front seats may not have been made correctly.
Remedy: Check the front seats and if required to replace the affected backrest.

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: 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: May 2020
Recall number: R/2020/135
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2019 to 12/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 1,568
Defect: It is possible that gear oil may escape due to a faulty welded joint on the gearbox oil line.
Remedy: The production date of the gear oil line must be checked first on the vehicles affected and the gear oil line must be replaced if necessary.

Date: March 2020
Recall number: R/2020/075
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2015 to 02/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 114
Defect: The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack may not have been tightened to the required torque.
Remedy: The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack will be checked and if necessary replaced.

Date: February 2019
Recall number: R/2019/065
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2018 to 12/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 31
Defect: A casting process error may affect the rigidity of the front shock absorber fork.
Remedy: Replace the affected shock absorber forks.

As of September 2024, there have been seven DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Audi Q8 addressing various different 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 Q8, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Similar cars


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

BMW X6 | Maserati Levante | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Porsche Cayenne | Range Rover Sport

The BMW X6 is regarded as the key rival to the Audi Q8, and offers a better driving performance. The Mercedes-Benz GLE also goes up against it, while the Audi’s sporty styling might also tempt buyers of the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport, though both these are more practical.


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

Audi RS Q8

Audi RS Q8

Everything you need to know about Audi

Everything you need to know about Audi

Improved battery range for Audi Q7 and Q8 plug-in hybrids

Improved battery range for Audi Q7 and Q8 plug-in hybrids

Audi Q8 set for mid-life facelift

Audi Q8 set for mid-life facelift

Audi revises trim line-up for many models in its range

Audi revises trim line-up for many models in its range

Audi Q8 test drive

Audi Q8 test drive

Audi prices up facelifted Q8 e-tron SUV

Audi prices up facelifted Q8 e-tron SUV

Audi confirms new Q8 and Q4 models for production

Audi confirms new Q8 and Q4 models for production

Audi Q8 concept heading for Detroit

Audi Q8 concept heading for Detroit

Audi electrics & SUVs head bold launch plans

Audi electrics & SUVs head bold launch plans

New Audi Q8 set to rival Range Rover Sport

New Audi Q8 set to rival Range Rover Sport

Detroit show: Audi Q8 targets Range Rover

Detroit show: Audi Q8 targets Range Rover

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The Audi Q8 is a sporty version of the Q7 and the brand’s flagship SUV. It’s surprisingly practical but also expensive to live with.Audi Q8