Entry into the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron vary simply received cheaper – by a complete $14,000.

It’s nonetheless not low cost nevertheless on the new start line. At $140,000 it’s nonetheless firmly into premium luxurious territory, but it surely’s now extra aggressive towards the likes of the BMW iX (from $136,900) and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV (from $134,900).

The Q8 e-tron, previously the e-tron, was one of many first premium EVs in the marketplace when it launched again in 2019. Whereas not a benchmark for efficiency or effectivity within the EV area, Audi’s massive electrical SUV does a tremendous job at providing electrified motoring with none actual distinction to the Audi SUV expertise – save for charging as a substitute of filling up.

Additional, Audi’s aftersales program is arguably among the best within the enterprise. You get six years of free scheduled servicing, six years of limitless charging on the Chargefox public charger community; each of which transcend Audi’s normal five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee (not to mention the duvet of different manufacturers).

Whereas the Q8 e-tron’s bones are getting on a bit, and because the competitors heats up, is Ingolstadt’s flagship electrical SUV nonetheless price a glance in 2024?

This new entry level actually makes the deal just a little sweeter, however there are just a few areas the place the Q8 e-tron is admittedly beginning to really feel behind the pack.

How does the Audi Q8 e-tron examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Audi Q8 e-tron towards equally sized autos.

Audi

Q8 e-tron

How a lot does the Audi Q8 e-tron price?

The brand new Q8 50 e-tron quattro brings the worth of entry all the way down to $140,600 plus on-road prices –greater than $14,000 cheaper than the outgoing Q8 55 e-tron quattro.

To see how the Q8 e-tron compares with the competitors, try our comparability device.

What’s the Audi Q8 e-tron like on the within?

Whereas it hasn’t modified a lot in comparison with the pre-facelift mannequin, the e-ton debuted the present Audi inside design that has filtered out throughout the bigger MLB evo-based fashions – it nonetheless appears to be like and feels fairly contemporary.

Twin touchscreens for infotainment and local weather controls are stacked neatly within the dashboard and angled to the driving force for higher usability, and forward of the driving force is the wonderful 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit. The shows are carried over from the pre-update e-tron however stay in the direction of the highest of the category for readability, usability and response.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to Audi join plus on-line companies all characteristic as earlier than, and all work as meant. You do get the odd dropout with smartphone mirroring in identified interference factors in Melbourne although.

Elsewhere, the cabin is acquainted Audi and e-tron fare. Perceived high quality is high notch, and there’s a way of conference in a time the place some rivals are going for showroom wow issue on the expense of ergonomics and tactility.

Bar some minor e-tron particulars just like the toggle-style shift-by-wire selector and the free-standing impact to the digital cockpit show housing, all of it appears to be like, feels and works identical to every other bigger Audi product.

There are robust hyperlinks to the petrol- and diesel-powered Audi Q8, although they’re nonetheless technically two totally different vehicles.

Our check automobile was fitted with the elective Sport Package deal ($5800) which inside brings sports activities entrance seats and better grade Valcona leather-based upholstery. It’s superbly supple and the seats themselves, that are electrically adjustable with reminiscence settings, are supremely snug for longer journeys.

It additionally provides trick configurable color ambient lighting, with an array of colors and combos so you possibly can have totally different illuminated accents for the higher and decrease tiers of the cabin.

The second row is suitably giant too, given this automobile measures a large 4915mm lengthy on a 2928mm wheelbase. Its dimensions eclipse that of even the associated Volkswagen Touareg (4889mm, 2888mm).

House for adults behind adults is superb, so no have to stress about becoming two or three children or youngsters again there – this can be a full-size five-seater. The Q8 e-tron SUV gives higher headroom than the sloping Sportback.

Rear facilities embrace directional air vents however no additional zones of local weather management on this spec; net-type map pockets; a fold down centre armrest with cupholders; and bottle holders within the doorways.

Apparently, rear privateness glass stays relegated to the choices record, to the tune of $1050. Need a sunroof? You’ll have to shell out an extra $3400. Tsk tsk…

Behind the rear seats is a 569L boot, which expands to 1637 litres with the rear seatbacks folded.

Whereas that will sound smallish for an SUV this measurement, it betters the BMW iX (500L-1750L) and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV (520L-1675L) when the second row is in use.

One other attention-grabbing tick the Q8 e-tron will get is the inclusion of a ‘collapsible’ area saver spare wheel, the place most different EVs solely get tyre restore kits – helpful to have on roadtrips.

To see how the Q8 e-tron compares with the competitors, try our comparability device.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The 50 e-tron quattro makes use of a barely detuned model of the 55’s dual-motor electrical drive system.

Our indicated consumption determine of 25.6kWh/100km is unquestionably on the upper aspect, but in addition included a spherical journey from Melbourne to Shepparton that means a whole lot of kilometres travelling 110km/h on regional freeways.

Whereas the driving vary is quoted as “as much as 411km” on the WLTP cycle, the mixed vitality declare of 23.9kWh/100km signifies a mixed vary nearer to 390-400km, and our effectivity figures would imply nearer to 350km.

Contemplating even the bottom Q8 e-tron’s battery has a gross score of 95kWh, it’s not excellent effectivity even relative to equally sized rivals. Its 150kW cost capability isn’t significantly spectacular by as we speak’s requirements, both.

To see how the Q8 e-tron compares with the competitors, try our comparability device.

How does the Audi Q8 e-tron drive?

Like an enormous, comfortable Audi SUV that simply occurs to be electrical.

Having spent loads of time with the extra highly effective 55 quattro variations of each the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, there’s not a lot of a noticeable distinction in how the 50 drives in regular circumstances.

Given there’s a 50kW energy deficit however similar torque outputs and simply 10kg distinction in quoted unladen weight, you possibly can see why this new base mannequin feels extra of the identical.

In it’s normal drive mode it’s nearly lazy in its acceleration and slowly wafts alongside in metropolis site visitors. The Q8 e-tron is easy and silent, with solely a faint whirr from the electrical drivetrain audible underneath acceleration.

That’s additional bolstered by glorious sound deadening. Just like the Q7 and petrol-powered Q8, the Q8 e-tron feels as safe and insulated as a financial institution vault – 110km/h on the tough Goulburn Valley Hwy barely let any noise in.

With normal air suspension it’s as snug as it’s quiet, although the two.5-tonne heft and enormous elective alloy wheels means this isn’t fairly as magic carpet-like as one thing out of a Mercedes-Benz showroom.

Nonetheless, there’s a beautiful stability between experience consolation and physique management, with Audi nearly erring on the aspect of sporty within the Q8 e-tron.

It’ll decrease itself at greater speeds for aerodynamics, and relying on the drive mode chosen it’ll modify damping power as properly – regardless, it’s by no means uncomfortable.

Throughout my prolonged street journey it was clear the Q8 e-tron has retained its MQB evo siblings’s long-haul consolation tune. It’s superbly calibrated for prolonged journeys – save for the shortage of vary from such an enormous battery pack.

Sure the 50 e-tron quattro has a smaller battery than the 55 (95kWh v 114kWh gross capability) however there’s little in it with reference to vary, and the 50 e-tron is extra environment friendly too (23.9 v 25.6kWh/100km).

Weirdly for an EV, the Q8 e-tron tends to be extra environment friendly on the freeway, significantly in its effectivity setting, the place the fixed velocity means the two.5t physique is already shifting and it could lean on the moment torque.

Our check automobile completed the week with an indicated 25.6kWh/100km, although I noticed nearer to the declare if not decrease on some longer freeway stints on the moment readout.

Regardless, 350-400km of vary from a 95kWh appears just a little stiff, and it’s disappointing Audi wasn’t in a position to higher enhance the e-motor effectivity as a part of the e-tron’s mid-life improve.

One other consideration is that the bottom mannequin has a 150kW DC charging capability in comparison with the 170kW restrict of the 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron fashions with the bigger battery.

We solely fast-charged at 50kW at Shepparton’s city centre, so we weren’t in a position to check how shut we might get to Audi’s declare.

It in any other case handles like a heavy Q7 or Q8 in regular eventualities, with gentle steering and respectable physique management within the bends.

You may actually really feel its weight if you happen to strive doing something shortly, whether or not it’s the nose-up sensation while you ground it otherwise you really feel the lateral shift within the physique if you happen to attempt to deal with a decent nook at tempo.

The varied modes for the chassis and powertrain can tailor the Q8 e-tron to the circumstances, for instance enhance mode lets you make a sprightly getaway or overtake, whereas consolation mode offers the massive electrical Audi an nearly magic carpet-light suppleness.

You even have allroad and off-road modes if you happen to ever have to jack up the Q8 e-tron to clear obstacles or deal with an unsealed path, however I wouldn’t be following a LandCruiser wherever on this.

As you’d anticipate, the Q8 e-tron is decked out with Audi’s driver help methods, together with the wonderful adaptive cruise help which mixes adaptive cruise and lane centring capabilities for semi-autonomous freeway driving.

Like different Audis and VW Group merchandise with Journey Help, it’s properly intuitive and appears to learn the street and site visitors circumstances forward extra like a human – i.e. no shadow braking or sudden jabs on the brakes if somebody cuts you off.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help are good to have when reversing this 4.9m-long household e-bus, in addition to when negotiating gaps in peak-hour site visitors.

I’ll as soon as once more, nevertheless, lament the absence of Matrix LED headlights, that are an costly $3300 possibility on the 50 and 55 variants. Frankly, ridiculous on a $140,000 tech hero.

What do you get?

There are a number of variants within the native Audi Q8 e-tron vary – on check is the bottom 50 e-tron quattro.

Q8 50 e-tron highlights:

Wheels, suspension, brakes, dynamics

• 20-inch alloy wheels in 5-arm aero model
  • Graphite gray
  • Diamond-turned end
  • 255/50 R20 tyres
• Adaptive air suspension
• Anti-theft wheel bolts, unfastened wheel detection
• Collapsible short-term spare wheel
• Audi drive choose
• e-quattro absolutely variable all-wheel drive

Exterior

• LED headlights
• LED daytime operating lights
• Excessive beam help
• Rear dynamic indicators
• Exterior mirrors
  • Heated, folding, auto-dimming
  • Reminiscence perform
  • Kerbside perform, passenger aspect
• Excessive gloss styling package deal
  • Window slot trims in anodised aluminium
• Roof rails in aluminium
• Comfort key
  • Full keyless entry, begin
• Electrical tailgate
  • Programmable peak
  • Gesture management

Seating and fabric

• Commonplace entrance seats
• Leatherette upholstery
• Electrical entrance seats incl. driver reminiscence
• Heated entrance seats
• Dashboard higher, decrease inside parts in leatherette
• Inlays in brushed aluminium, darkish

Inside

• Auxiliary air-conditioning
  • Pre-conditioning through MMI or MyAudi app
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• Door sill trims in aluminium
• Inside lighting package deal
• Leather-based steering wheel incl. shift paddles
• Headlining in lunar silver material
• Load sill protector in chrome steel
• Consolation entrance centre armrest
  • Adjustable fore-aft place, angle
• Flooring mats entrance, rear
• Storage and baggage compartment package deal
  • 2 x cupholders in rear centre armrest
  • Nets in baggage compartment

Infotainment

• 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit
• Audi smartphone interface
  • Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
  • Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Audi music interface
  • 2 x USB ports entrance (cost, information switch)
  • 2 x USB ports rear (cost)
• Audi telephone field gentle
  • Qi wi-fi smartphone charger, 180W
• Audi sound system
  • 10 audio system
  • 6-channel amplifier
  • 180 watt system output
• DAB+ digital radio
• Head-up show
• Audi join plus

Choices

The bottom Q8 e-tron is on the market with the next choices.

Sport Package deal: $5400 – Q8 50 e-tron (as examined)

• 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
  • 10-spoke rotor model
  • Anthracite Black
  • Diamond turned
• Sport entrance seats
• Valcona leather-based upholstery
• Black exterior styling package deal
• Exterior mirrors in high-gloss black
• Roof rails in black
• Color ambient lighting

22kW AC Charging Package deal: $6900

• Further onboard charger – as much as 22kW AC
• Audi join charger – as much as 22kW AC

Digital Mirrors: $3500

Is the Audi Q8 e-tron secure?

The Q8 e-tron retains the pre-facelift mannequin’s five-star ANCAP security score, primarily based on 2019 Euro NCAP assessments.

Commonplace security options embrace:

• 8 airbags
  • Twin entrance
  • Twin front-side
  • Twin rear-side
  • Twin aspect curtain
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Automobile to Automobile (5-250km/h)
  • Pedestrian, bicycle owner detection (5-85km/h)
  • Flip help
• Adaptive drive help
  • Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
  • Distance indicator
  • Visitors jam help
  • Lane steerage help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning system
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• 360-degree cameras
• Collision avoidance help (evasive steering)
• Rear cross-traffic help

How a lot does the Audi Q8 e-tron price to run?

The Q8 e-tron is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee.

To see how the Q8 e-tron compares with the competitors, try our comparability device.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi Q8 e-tron

It’s a typical theme with the Q8 e-tron – it’s a beautiful luxurious SUV, not a very good EV.

The largest electrical Audi gives all the nice traits of different MLB-based SUVs within the model’s secure: smoothness, refinement, construct high quality and tech.

However, it offsets this with a zero-tailpipe emissions drivetrain that provides poor effectivity and vary, whereas additionally not providing tremendous aggressive charging charges for this finish of the market.

At the least as a 50 quattro, the Q8 e-tron gives stronger worth than the dearer 55 and SQ8. Add the Sport package deal ($5400) and it’s as properly specced because the $20,000 dearer Sportback 55 and nearly $30,000 cheaper than the SQ8 e-tron SUV.

The Q8 e-tron makes the step into EV possession simple for present Audi house owners, and the intensive aftersales help is a number one package deal – free servicing and charging for six years is tough to go.

Should you’re critical about electrification nevertheless and need the perfect EV on sale, there are higher choices on the market in effectivity, vary and charging – the BMW iX involves thoughts, as does the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

Nonetheless, the Q8 e-tron has a spot and performs a job. Should you don’t want tremendous lengthy vary and need a standard and acquainted EV expertise, few vehicles make the step to zero emissions simpler.

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