Audi has been producing a number of the world’s prime luxurious automobiles for many years now, so it wasn’t actually a shock when the carmaker got here out as an early adopter of the EV motion. A decade and a half in the past, again in 2009, Audi unveiled the concept for its personal all-electric car, the e-tron. Ten years later, in 2019, Audi finally released the e-tron SUV to the general public, and it has been in manufacturing since, together with a lineup of different electrical autos underneath the e-tron family.

As the automaker continued so as to add extra autos to the e-tron lineup, it was time to make a change to the favored SUV, and Audi changed the usual e-tron with the 2024 Q8 e-tron. Though there are lots of similarities between the brand new model of the all-electric SUV and the namesake that put Audi on the EV map, the posh carmaker made the Q8 e-tron distinctly its personal, making certain it is a top-notch competitor within the all-electric SUV area.

Like earlier years of the e-tron SUV, the Q8 e-tron is available with its standard, extra angular physique fashion, in addition to the fastback-styled Q8 Sportback e-tron. The Sportback slopes the rear of the SUV down in the direction of the trunk, creating the look of an enormous crossover in comparison with an ordinary SUV. The S-variant of the e-tron SUV that was beforehand obtainable has additionally been spun off into its personal new car, the SQ8 e-tron, so you will not discover that choice obtainable as a trim of the Q8 e-tron this 12 months.

What’s New For 2024

Since that is the primary 12 months for the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, technically all the things is completely different from the bottom up. But contemplating it is actually only a redesigned and up to date model of the Audi e-tron SUV of latest years, the Q8 e-tron retains a lot of what was already there. The Q8 e-tron brings again the identical dual-motor setup from earlier years, however adjustments to the battery have been made, because it’s now a bigger 106.0 kilowatt-hour (kWh) unit with 170 kilowatt (kW) Fast-Charging now obtainable in comparison with final 12 months’s 150 kWh.

The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron additionally brings together with it some upgraded styling to the outside together with a model new trim: Launch Edition. Despite its title, the Launch Edition will not be really any faster than different trims, however it does include customized 21-inch wheels, completely different exterior styling, and a few upgrades to the interiors.

2024 Highlights

• First 12 months because the Q8 e-tron/Q8 Sportback e-tron
• New Launch Edition
• Updated exterior styling
• Upgraded 106.0 kWh web battery
• Luxurious, high-tech inside

Exterior Dimensions

(Data sourced from Audi)

Specifications And Performance

Even although there are a complete of eight trims between the usual Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron, all of them include the very same dual-motor setup and 106.0 kWh battery. The dual-motor powertrain places one electrical motor on every axle, the entrance and rear. During most driving situations round city, the rear motor handles the heavy lifting till you want somewhat extra energy, after which the entrance motor will kick in.

As you would possibly count on, having the identical motors and battery additionally results in all eight trims coming with equivalent energy output and basic efficiency numbers, with the all-electric powerplant pumping out a most of 402 horsepower whereas in Sport mode. This is sweet sufficient for a fast acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour (MPH) in 5.4 seconds on its technique to a prime velocity of 124 MPH.

These numbers are actually spectacular for a luxurious SUV, and the Q8 e-tron will smoke most gasoline-powered autos on the highway, however they are not precisely eye-popping within the EV world. For comparability, the S-variant of this similar SUV, the SQ8 e-tron, makes almost 100 extra horsepower and might get you from 0 to 60 MPH in simply 4.2 seconds.

Performance Specifications

(Data sourced from Audi)

Towing and Payload Capacities

All-electric SUVs may not precisely be identified for his or her towing capabilities, particularly not luxurious ones, however that does not imply you may’t hook up a trailer and tow a number of issues round city. All trims of the Audi Q8 e-tron are appropriate with a towing hitch and might tow as much as 4,000 kilos, which is greater than sufficient to carry its personal in its class. This is a good quantity greater than the S-variant SQ8 e-tron can pull with its 3,300-pound towing capability, regardless that the usual Q8 has a a lot much less highly effective motor setup.

(Data sourced from Audi)

Audi Q8 e-tron Charging Time And Range

Even although all eight trims of the Q8 e-tron use the identical 106.0 kWh battery, the utmost vary depends upon which physique fashion you go together with. All commonplace physique Q8 e-trons have a most vary of 285 miles. Opting for the Sportback physique, nonetheless, nets a most of 300 miles on a single cost, however that is provided that you improve to the Ultra package deal. This improve provides smaller 19-inch wheels and a novel suspension system that is tuned particularly so as to add a bit of additional vary.

At 300 miles of most vary, the Q8 e-tron sits amongst many of its competitors with a stable, but unremarkable, vary that will get the job completed for many on a regular basis commutes. Helping get drivers again on the highway as shortly as attainable is the Q8 e-tron’s 170 kW charging capability at public Fast Charging stations. This will get the Audi from 10% to 80% battery in simply 31 minutes, which is nice for when you’re working errands round city or throughout a lunch break on an extended highway journey.

(Data sourced from Audi)

Like lots of the different Audi EVs in the marketplace, all new Q8 e-trons include two years of limitless charging by way of Electrify America. This large community of public charging stations across the nation will assist maintain your Q8 e-tron charged when you’re on the go, getting you again on the highway sooner, at no further value.

Interior Technology, Luxury, And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron

• All-digital instrumentation
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Panoramic sunroof
• Remote local weather management with myAudi app
• Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system

No matter which physique fashion you favor, the Audi Q8 e-tron provides a spacious inside that seats 5 adults. The entrance seats are heated (together with the steering wheel), they usually even have built-in massagers for these fortunate sufficient to drive or experience shotgun. There can be four-zone local weather management to make sure all occupants keep comfy irrespective of the place they’re sitting. Above everybody’s head is a panoramic sunroof that provides unbridled views of the starry sky at evening or solar and clouds through the day.

Topping all of it off is the Bang & Olufsen stereo system with 3D sound that fully immerses you in no matter you are listening to. This revolutionary sound system makes use of audial expertise to venture sound from seemingly each inch of the Q8 e-tron, making it really feel such as you’re in the midst of a live performance when you jam out on a protracted highway journey.

Technology

When you sit within the Audi Q8 e-tron, it’s going to be as when you’ve stepped into the longer term, as nearly all the things in entrance of you’ll flip digital as a part of the Virtual Cockpit. While the head-up show will take heart stage in your subject of view on the windshield, the 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster is absolutely customizable to point out you precisely what you wish to see when you drive. To the appropriate of that, the ten.1-inch infotainment center touchscreen sits atop the sprint as the first level of management, with the 8.6-inch touchscreen under it for all secondary facilities and local weather management.

Interior Dimensions

(Data sourced from Audi)

Safety And Reliability

After assembly and exceeding all security requirements, each the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron acquired 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Further exemplifying how protected and dependable the SUV is, each the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron acquired 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), indicating that they met all entrance, aspect, and rollover crash take a look at requirements.

Driver Assistance Features

Over the years, Audi drivers have develop into accustomed to a full suite of driver-assistance options, and the Q8 e-tron is not any exception. The tech-packed inside lends technique to a bevy of driver-assistance options that improve all the things out of your each day commute to working to the ice cream retailer late at evening if you get a candy tooth. These options embrace fundamentals like lane-keeping help, entrance collision warning, and adaptive cruise management together with extra superior options similar to parking help, a 360-degree digital camera system, and a head-up show on the windshield.

• Adaptive cruise management
• Lane steerage
• Lane-keeping help
• Park help
• 360-degree digital camera system
• Head-up show
• Front collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Virtual Cockpit Plus
• Audi join CARE

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

(Data sourced from NHTSA)

• Recalls (NHTSA): 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: Top Safety Pick + (2023) (IIHS)

Warranties

Just like all different new Audi fashions, the Q8 e-tron comes with the Audi New Vehicle Limited Warranty. This complete protection comes commonplace with a 48-month/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper guarantee and upkeep protection for 60 months/57,000 miles by way of pay as you go Audi Care. As an Audi EV, it additionally comes with a 96-month/100,000-mile guarantee on the battery and associated electrical elements. Topping all of it off, Audi offers 24-month roadside help at no further value and a 12-year corrosion guarantee with no mileage restrict.

(Data sourced from Audi)

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Versus Its Competitors

Even although Audi has been within the electrical SUV recreation since 2009 with the unique idea of the e-tron, it is not the one automaker on this area. Without a doubt the most important title in EVs is Tesla, and its Model X is without doubt one of the Q8 e-tron’s prime opponents. It’s additionally price evaluating the Audi to the brand new R1S, a well-liked all-electric SUV from the relative newcomer within the area, Rivian.

How The Audi Q8 e-tron Compares To The Tesla Model X

• 	2024 Audi Q8 e-tron	2024 Tesla Model X
  Model	Audi Q8 E-Tron	Model X
  Engine	Dual-permanent-magnet motors	2-Motor/3-Motor
  Transmission	Single-speed computerized	1-Speed
  Torque	490 LB-FT	Up To 1151 LB-FT
  Driveline	All-wheel drive	AWD
  Range	285-300 miles	333-348 Miles
  MSRP	$74,400	$79,990
  Charge Time	16 hours @ 240V	7 Hours @ 17 kW
  0-60 MPH	5.4 seconds	2.5-3.8 Seconds

First up is the Tesla Model X, which is without doubt one of the most well-known all-electric SUVs in the marketplace. With a starting price of $79,990 for the base model, the Tesla matches proper into the worth vary of the lower-tiered variations of the Q8 e-tron, although you may get into the Audi for somewhat bit cheaper. Even although the most affordable Q8 e-tron may cost a little you rather less upfront, the Model X outperforms it almost throughout the board, so the financial savings may not be as worthwhile because it appears.

The base Model X comes with 670 horsepower and is able to reaching 60 MPH from a cease in simply 3.8 seconds, each of which blow the Q8 e-tron out of the water. Upgrading to the $94,990 Model X Plaid model ups the ante, because it pumps out a blistering 1,020 horsepower, which may propel you from 0 to 60 MPH in simply 2.5 seconds, making it one of many quickest manufacturing SUVs ever produced. In addition to pure energy output, the Tesla additionally goes additional than the Audi, with a most vary of 348 miles on a single cost.

The Model X has efficiency locked down, however it’s not over but. Where the Audi actually outshines the Tesla is the tech-rich, comfy inside. Like different Tesla fashions, the Model X has one giant infotainment heart display on a comparatively minimalist dashboard, inside a considerably missing inside. You will not get all of the creature comforts within the Model X that you simply’d get within the Q8 e-tron ( you, heated massager seats), so when you’re on the lookout for essentially the most comfy experience attainable, the Audi is a transparent winner.

How The Audi Q8 e-tron Compares To The Rivian R1S

• 	2024 Audi Q8 e-tron	2024 Rivian R1S
  Model	Audi Q8 E-Tron	R1S
  Engine	Dual-permanent-magnet motors	2-Motor/4-Motor
  Transmission	Single-speed computerized	1-Speed
  Torque	490 LB-FT	610-908 LB-FT
  Driveline	All-wheel drive	AWD
  Range	285-300 miles	270-390 miles
  MSRP	$74,400	$78,000
  Charge Time	16 hours @ 240V	12 Hours @ 11.5 kW
  0-60 MPH	5.4 seconds	3.0-3.5 seconds

Next up is the Rivian R1S, an all-electric SUV that is doubtless not almost as well-known because the Model X from Tesla. From the identical producer that produces the Rivian R1T electric truck, the R1S is a succesful electrical SUV that is able to tackle opponents, each on and off the highway.

With a beginning worth of $78,000, the Rivian R1S sits in the direction of the decrease finish of the Q8 e-tron pricing spectrum, making it akin to the Premium and Premium Plus trims. Unfortunately for the Audi, the R1S comes with a heck of much more energy on prime. Its base mannequin makes use of a dual-motor setup that outshines the powertrain within the Q8 e-tron, placing out 600 horsepower and reaching 60 MPH in about 3.5 seconds. Upgrading to the non-obligatory quad-motor setup makes this comparability a joke because it makes use of 835 horsepower to rocket occupants to 60 MPH in simply 3.0 seconds.

One place the Audi has the benefit is when it comes to vary, with the Rivian squeaking out simply 260 miles on a single cost in comparison with the Q8 e-tron’s 300-mile most vary. R1S clients can go for two bigger batteries for a further value, with the Max Battery upping that range to 390 miles.

Just like with the Tesla, nonetheless, the Rivian loses out to the Audi on the within, and in spite of everything, that is what actually counts, proper? The Q8 e-tron is extra comfy than the R1S, and it comes with a heck of much more options. The Rivian R1S doesn’t even include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto commonplace, which means you’d have to purchase an exterior adapter or courageous the roads of America with out your smartphone linked.

How Much The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Costs

With what number of fashions and trims there are, the costs of the Audi Q8 e-tron are relatively tightly packed, starting at $74,400 for the usual physique fashion with Premium trim. From there, you may improve to the Sportback Premium for $77,800. Premium Plus fashions are $78,800 or $82,200 relying on which physique fashion you go for. The subsequent two most inexpensive choices are the Prestige and Launch Edition fashions of the usual physique fashion at $84,800 and $87,550, respectively. Topping the record are the identical trims however on the fastback physique, with costs of $88,200 for the Sportback Prestige and $91,950 for the top-of-the-line Sportback Launch Edition.

(Prices sourced from Audi)

Efficiency

(Data sourced from Audi and the EPA)

Is It Worth Buying An Audi Q8 e-tron?

Anyone available in the market for a luxurious all-electric SUV ought to actually think about the Q8 e-tron on the prime of their record. It is available in two completely different physique types and a complete of eight trims, starting from $74,400 to $91,950, making it a bit extra accessible than different choices in the marketplace. The Q8 e-tron additionally comes with probably the most comfy, useful interiors which might be really filled with high-tech options and capabilities that different electrical SUVs merely don’t supply.

Unfortunately, the Q8 e-tron actually falls brief when it comes to efficiency, with its comparatively low energy output, mediocre acceleration, and middle-of-the-road vary holding it again. For the identical worth, you’ll find other electric SUVs that go additional and rise up to hurry so much faster. That mentioned, few choices in the marketplace compete with the posh really feel of the Q8 e-tron, and you can always upgrade to the SQ8 e-tron when you’re an actual fan of Audis and might’t think about your self driving anything.