The Q8 e-tron, formerly the e-tron, is the flagship luxury EV crossover from Audi. It’s the largest all-electric SUV that Audi makes. For 2024, theQ8 e-tron gets updated with an increase in range to about 285 miles as well as other enhancements. It boasts lively handling and a roomy and classy cabin.
Base Price: $74,400
As Tested: $88,990
Horsepower: 355
Mileage: 80 MPGe city/83 MPGe highway/81 MPGe combined
The e-tron was the first all-electric luxury SUV to be offered in the U.S. when it launched for the 2019 model year. For 2024, the name changes from e-tron to Q8 e-tron and the vehicle gets a retuned suspension, faster charging capabilities, improved driving dynamics, new front and rear styling, and some aerodynamic tweaks that help to improve its efficiency and range. Audi plans to fully electrify its line-up by 2030.
The Q8 e-tron comes in two body styles: a boxier SUV and a Sportback with a sloping roof. There are four trims: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige and Launch Edition. Starting prices are $74,400 for SUV models and $77,800 for Sportback models. The top-of-the-line Launch Edition starts at $87,550 for SUV models and $91,950 for Sportback models. Audi’s all-wheel-drive system, Quattro, is standard on all.
There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
Every model is powered by two electric motors and a 106 kWh (114-kWh gross) battery pack. Total output is 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque. In Boost mode, horsepower climbs to 402 with 490 pound-feet.
Overall, the Q8 e-tron is more about comfort and capable driving dynamics instead of thrilling performance. Some other luxury SUVs are quicker but acceleration is certainly respectable – Audi says it can hustle from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. There’s plenty of power for merging and passing at freeway speeds. The ride is super smooth, even on rough pavement and over bumps. Steering is accurate and the Q8 e-tron feels planted when cornering with little body lean. Brakes have a mostly normal feel without the squishiness found on many EVs; however, there’s no setting for one-pedal driving. Overall, the Q8 e-tron drives much like its gas-powered siblings; it’s easy to forget that you’re behind the wheel of an EV.
The range of the Q8 e-tron SUV is 285 miles, up from 226 miles in the previous model. The Sportback’s range is 296 miles. This makes the Q8 e-tron similar to rivals.
The charge port is conveniently located on the front left side of the vehicle, in front of the driver’s door. Charging time with a level 2 (240-volt outlet) can take 13 hours with the 9.2-kW onboard charger, or 6.5 hours with the optional 19.2-kW charger. With public Level 3 DC fast charging stations, Audi says the battery can go from a 10% to 80% charge in about 31 minutes. You can also plug it in at home to a regular Level 1 (120-volt) plug, but that can take two or more days.
Efficiency is about what you’d expect from a midsize luxury EV crossover. EPA ratings for my tester are 80 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) city and 83 MPGE highway with a combined rating of 81.
When properly equipped, the Q8 e-tron can tow up to 4,000 pounds.
The cabin is attractive and luxurious as you’d expect in an Audi. It’s also very quiet. Materials are high-end with an excellent fit and finish – everything has a nice look and feel. The Virtual Cockpit (Audi’s digital gauge cluster) and two touchscreens dominate the dash. Seats are supportive and very comfortable, even on long drives. Passengers in both rows of the SUV body style enjoy good leg- and headroom. But the sloping roofline on the Sportback models does eat away at rear headroom.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, rearview camera, four-zone automatic climate control, leather seating surfaces, leatherette trimmed dash, armrests and center console, heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with driver four-way power lumbar and memory, heated steering wheel, 12.3-inch customizable digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch touchscreens, navigation, Audi sound system, HD Radio, satellite radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, two USB ports, HomeLink garage door opener, Aluminum roof rails, LED headlights with high beam assist, adaptive air suspension, and a panoramic sunroof,
Available features include a surround-view camera system, head-up display, Valcona leather seating, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, wireless device charging, and an additional USB charging port.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
Available driver assistance technologies include lane-keep assist and traffic-sign recognition.
Cargo space is decent for a luxury EV SUV. There are 28.5 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 56.4 cubes with the second row folded. The Sportback has about two fewer cubic feet for both. A power tailgate with hands-free release is standard. The frunk (front trunk) is large enough to stow the charging cable and other small items.
The infotainment system looks great with its two screens and crisp graphics, but it does take some time to become comfortable with the system and menus. The upper screen controls audio, navigation and smartphone integration. The lower screen controls climate settings. Plenty of physical controls make it easy to adjust common settings.
The good:
Decent range
Capable performance
Smooth, comfortable ride
Attractive luxurious and quiet cabin
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Good passenger and cargo space
The not-so-good:
Not as athletic as some rivals
Infotainment system has a learning curve
No one-pedal driving
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $74,400. Plasma Blue Metallic paint is $595. The Prestige Package is $10,400. The Black Optic package is $2,000. Rear side airbags are $400. Destination charge is $1,195 bringing the grand total to $88,990.
Bottom line:
The Audi Q8 e-tron has been around for a while and the new 2024 version is still one of the best luxury all-electric SUVs. No, it’s not the quickest in the class but it’s a well-rounded offering with capable performance, a luxurious cabin, a decent range of 285 miles, and relatively quick charging times. Check it out if you’re shopping for a luxury EV crossover.
