2023 Audi Q8 e-tron new car review

A German brand has launched its new electric vehicle, but despite some big improvements there are still some baffling results.

2023 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Buyers of the new Audi Q8 e-tron will feel like Christmas has come early.

Gifts include six years of free public charging, scheduled servicing and roadside assist, as well as a free, fully installed home charger.

The obvious sweeteners are designed to claw back EV market share from arch rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which are streets ahead in the sales race.

The Audi Q8 e-tron is the follow up act to its first electric vehicle.

This new Q8 e-tron, available in SUV wagon or sleeker Sportback guise, replaces the e-tron SUV. It was Audi’s first EV, but as the brand has stuck the e-tron badge on all its electric cars, it’s high time to make things clearer.

Audi’s EVs are still reserved for the well-heeled. While rivals such as Mercedes, BMW, Volvo and Lexus sell electric cars for less than $100,000, these Q8 e-trons start from $153,900 plus on-roads.

Audi’s other full EV is the gorgeous e-tron GT grand tourer, yours from $178,875 before costs. At these prices, the Audi EV ownership club will remain an exclusive one.

Despite its huge battery the range is poor.

But if you’ve got the coin, the luxe-heavy, slickly-styled and large five-seater plays to Audi’s strengths. It offers enough to impress and entice but doesn’t push boundaries.

It isn’t as extrovertly styled as a BMW iX and there’s not the electric range or cabin theatre of a Mercedes-Benz EQE. Instead, the Q8 e-tron’s a safe pair of hands. It impresses without wowing.

The battery’s a monster at 106kWh, almost twice that of an entry-level Tesla Model 3, yet its quoted range is just 454km. That same Tesla’s is 513km.

When the Q8 e-tron was first announced, 600km range was mooted for the slippier Sportback version. But Audi’s since moved to the more real-world WLTP range test, and claims only 454km. The brand says this is a “worst case scenario,” that involves the Q8 riding on range-sapping 22-inch alloys.

The interior fit and finish is top shelf.

As standard, the Q8 SUV rides on 20s, while Sportback and Launch Editions ($165,900) are on 21s.

Our test drives recorded wildly different energy use. Official consumption is 25.6kWh/100km, but we fluctuated between 33kWh and less than 20kWh, with hills in particular chewing into range.

All Q8 e-trons feature air suspension, with a ride-height adjustment range of 76mm. Seven drive modes allow drivers to raise the height for a better ride on shoddy surfaces, then lower it for a more planted, road-hugging feel on highways and twisting roads.

It never feels uncomfortably stiff, while cornering and turning in well, despite a 2520kg kerb weight. Its lengthy driver assist package is generally excellent, but overzealous steering assist spoils any natural feel through the steering wheel.

The brakes, too, feel unnatural – nothing unusual for an EV – especially when you plump for maximum regeneration. It’s a smoother, more Audi-like drive without it, so the temptation’s there to keep it off.

Its electric motors make 300kW and 664Nm but it isn’t as fast as those number suggest.

With 300kW and 664Nm it’s fast, but not mind-bending. It takes 5.6 seconds to reach 100km/h using Boost mode, with linear, smooth power delivery from motors over each axle.

The cabin is superb, coated in expensive-feeling Valcona leather and with brushed aluminium inlays and Audi’s trio of dash screens. Having a huge navigation map in the digital driver display is excellent, but the climate control screen needs a good prod before it offers feedback and action.

A Sportback version has a more svelte look with a sloping roofline.

Rear headroom is excellent, leg room is average but material quality is top-notch. If only the back seats reclined it’d feel more business class – this being a five- and not seven-seater there’s ample space to allow it.

Audi throws in ambient lighting, four-zone climate control (Sportback), heated seats, a 360-degree camera and wireless charging but asks $6900 for a 22kWh on-board charger, $3400 for a glass sunroof and $3500 for “virtual” mirrors where screens and cameras replace side mirrors. Don’t do it – they’re an unnecessary faff that don’t improve on glass.

Charging performance is up 20kW to 170kW, so 10 to 80 per cent battery charge is achieved in 31 minutes at a public DC charger. At home with AC charging? Audi’s not provided a time, but put your feet up, it’s a big battery.

VERDICT 3.5/5

It’s pricey, heavy and the electric range isn’t great but the silky drive and luxurious tech-rich cabin help it shine.

AUDI Q8 55 E-TRON

PRICE: About $161,000 drive-away (about $174,000 drive-away Sportback)

ENGINE: Twin electric motor, 300kW and 664Nm combined

BATTERY: 114kWh (106kWh usable)

RANGE: 454km

WARRANTY/SERVICE: Five-year, unlimited km/six years free servicing

SAFETY: Auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, radar cruise

THIRST: 25.6kWh/100km

LUGGAGE: 569 litres (528 in Sportback)

SPARE: Space saver

Originally published as 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron new car review