By Brian Armstead, special contributor
For the 2024 model year, Audi, the German luxury brand within the Volkswagen Group, has a bonafide automotive superstar with its flagship Q8 Sportback e-tron. The full-electric e-tron is the latest from Audi, which launched the first-generation e-tron Sport-Ute in 2019.
Aerodynamics are the big story here, as they contribute to greater efficiency and better range for the new model.
The styling, in my opinion, is among the best in the current Audi model lineup, considering both gasoline and electric powered models. The lines of the Sportback are crisp and add to a feeling of height and width. Coupled with the 22-inch wheels that were part of my “Launch Edition” trim tester, all eyes were on the Sportback at traffic lights, and I rolled my windows down several times to answer questions about the car.
Befitting its flagship position within Audi’s electrified portfolio, inside the Q8 Sportback is a very good place to be. Audi calls the interior “sophisticated and luxurious,” and we don’t have a problem with that assessment.
Four-zone automatic climate control with a heat pump and comfort pre-conditioning, heated, cooled and massaging Valcona/Milano leather seats with orange piping, mesh anthracite dash and door inlays, and the standard panoramic roof visually lightens the interior and reinforces the sense of total luxury within the passenger cabin.
There is seamless technology integration with voice control in this Audi. The Q8 e-tron center dashboard houses dual touchscreen displays — an upper 10.1-inch and lower 8.6-inch display with haptic touch technology. Beyond operation with the two touch displays, many features can be activated through natural voice control.
The digital display and user experience in the Audi Q8 e-tron is complemented by the standard Audi virtual cockpit with full HD resolution display. Specific graphics depict all the important aspects of electric driving, from charging performance to range. Various driver assistance functionalities, such as adaptive cruise, assist with lane guidance.
On upper trim levels including my test Launch Edition, a standard head-up display is among myriad luxury and convenience features.
During my week-long evaluation of the Q8, I also had test access to a top line electric sedan from another German automaker, BMW. While the i7 was chock-full of luxury, the overall execution, particularly drive dynamics, tilted heavily towards the Q8. And this with a near $60,000 price difference between the pair (Q8 at $96K, and the BMW i7 at $161K).
Q8 Sportback ride manners are exceptional. The dual-motor e-quattro AWD chassis offers 402-horsepower in “boost” mode, and scoots from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Not fast by today’s EV standards, but definitely fast enough to accelerate out of trouble, or just put a satisfying smile on your face.
Cost:
My test Q8 Sportback S Line has a base MSRP of $88,200. Price as equipped is $95,990. Add $1,195 for Destination and Delivery charges. Base price for the SUV-type Q8 is $74,400, while the base Q8 Sportback pricing begins at $77,800. High-performance SQ8 models will launch in the U.S. market during model year 2024.
Range:
An estimated 285-300 miles. Using a D.C. fast charger, expect a 10% to 80% charge in just 31 minutes. All e-tron models include up to two years of unlimited charging via the Electrify America nationwide network.
Safety:
Audi is an industry leader in occupant and pedestrian safety. Like all Audi models, the entire Q8 e-tron lineup offers a wide range of standard and optional (with enhanced trim levels) safety equipment.
Things to Know:
With the goal of creating a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable future by 2025, Audi aims for one third of its portfolio to be electrified. By 2026, all new models will be electric; and by 2033 Audi will phase out gasoline-powered models.
Pros:
- Standard quattro AWD
- As quiet as a library
- First-class passenger cabin
Cons:
- Average range
- It’s pricey
