2024 Audi Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron evaluation

If the Audi Q8 e-tron is a bit of too standard for you, the Q8 Sportback e-tron provides a bit extra visible aptitude.

Audi’s tackle the crossover coupe pattern is a bit more restrained than the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, however the Q8 Sportback e-tron follows a well-known method with its distinctive tapered rear roofline that’s extra sedan than SUV.

Previously generally known as the Audi e-tron Sportback, the brand new 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron incorporates a revised naming construction to reaffirm its flagship standing, and a variety of delicate updates to enhance on the method laid down by its predecessor.

There are some very small adjustments to design parts just like the entrance grille and bumpers, in addition to Audi’s newest flat badging, whereas a a lot bigger battery sits within the ground pan which affords considerably extra vary towards official metrics – a key grievance of the previous one.

It stays based mostly on the VW Group’s MLB evo platform, which is a transformed combustion and hybrid platform shared with all the pieces from the A4 and Q5, by means of to the A8 and ICE-fired Q8, in addition to a lot of extra boutique choices just like the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.

Having already reviewed the SUV-bodied model with the identical drivetrain, our goal right here is to see if the Sportback is the higher providing and whether or not it justifies its $12,000 premium over the usual model.

Moreover, how does it stack up towards rival choices on devoted architectures – i.e. the BMW iX, Jaguar I-Tempo, Lexus RZ, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV?

How does the Audi Q8 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Audi Q8 towards equally sized automobiles.

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

Pricing for the Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron begins from $166,600 earlier than on-road prices – $12,000 greater than the 55 e-tron SUV.

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron pricing:

• 2024 Audi Q8 55 e-tron quattro: $154,600
• 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron quattro: $166,600
• 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron: $173,600
• 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron: $180,600

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the Audi Q8 e-tron traces up towards its rivals, take a look at our comparability device.

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

In case you’re anticipating any wholesale adjustments contained in the Q8 e-tron in comparison with the previous e-tron, don’t.

Whereas it could not have modified a lot in comparison with the pre-facelift model, the e-ton debuted the present Audi inside design that has filtered out throughout the bigger MLB evo-based fashions, and it nonetheless appears to be like fairly recent.

Twin touchscreens for infotainment and local weather controls are stacked neatly within the dashboard and angled to the motive force for higher usability, and forward of the motive force is the superb 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 providers all function as earlier than, and all work as supposed. 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 prime 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 similar to some other bigger Audi product.

There are sturdy hyperlinks to the petrol- and diesel-powered Audi Q8, although they’re nonetheless technically two completely different automobiles.

Our take a look at automotive was fitted with the optionally available digital mirrors package deal ($3500), which continues to divide opinion by way of their kind and performance.

I’m don’t hate them like a few of my colleagues do, however the door-mounted OLED shows that undertaking the dwell digicam feed take a little bit of adjustment as you typically have to look down or transfer your arms in the event that they’re rested on the door tops…

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

Area for adults behind adults is superb, so no have to stress about becoming two or three children or youngsters again there – it is a full-size five-seater. The Sportback’s sloping roofline eats into the rear considerably, however not sufficient to trigger any main points.

Rear facilities embrace directional air vents with two further zones of local weather management, net-type map pockets, a fold down centre armrest with cupholders, and bottle holders within the doorways.

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

Behind the rear seats is a 528L boot (versus 569L for the SUV) which expands to 1567L with the rear seatbacks folded. Whereas which 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…

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Q8 Sportback e-tron is presently solely obtainable with the ’55’ drivetrain in Australia, should you low cost the SQ8 efficiency model.

How does the Audi Q8 e-tron drive?

The Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron drives very very similar to the Q8 55 e-tron Launch Version I examined earlier this yr.

Whereas it has by no means had the vary or efficiency of one thing out of the Tesla showroom, the Audi Q8 e-tron affords the identical superbly easy drive and journey you get in an Audi Q7 or Q8 – and simply occurs to be electrical.

All the things has been tuned for max consolation and refinement, and whereas the doughy throttle response gained’t be to the tastes of these hungry for neck-snapping efficiency, it’s an easy and wafty factor to dwell with day-to-day.

In its customary setting, the 55 e-tron doesn’t really feel prefer it has 300kW and 664Nm underneath your proper foot, most likely as a result of it’s solely providing you with about 75 per cent of that in Drive and you really want to plant your foot to get full energy should you’re in any mode apart from dynamic.

However, flick the selector previous D into S and also you see the ‘increase’ indicator gentle up on the digital energy meter, and you are feeling that added response because the Q8 e-tron provides you all of its electrical would possibly to shift its hefty 2.5-tonne mass.

I attempted a number of full-throttle moments on the freeway onramp with the transmission in S, and the 5.6-second 0-100km/h declare feels correct – the 0-60km/h acceleration particularly actually hits you within the again.

That’s probably not what this automotive is about, anyway. If you wish to drive it like a efficiency SUV you’re higher off ready for the SQ8 e-tron (from $173,800) which provides a 3rd electrical motor for system outputs of 370kW/973Nm, and cuts the 0-100 declare by 1.1 seconds (4.5s).

Merely put, you’re finest to drive this Q8 e-tron just like the V6 TDI variations of its stablemates, leaning on the huge reserves of torque and effortlessly wafting by means of day by day duties however with out the diesel clatter of its ICE equivalents.

Audi hasn’t bothered with synthesised drivetrain noises or something in that vein, so progress could be very easy and ] quiet on a regular basis. Like different MLB-based Audis, sound insulation from the surface world can be wonderful, making for a really serene expertise whether or not you’re navigating metropolis visitors or touring on the open street.

The usual adaptive air suspension is typical Audi, in that it does an ideal job at ironing out the lumps and bumps of metropolis life even on 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels (with 265/45 Bridgestone Alenza tyres); although additionally manages physique management by means of twistier roads with aplomb.

You may elevate and decrease the journey top by way of the assorted Audi drive choose modes, or independently should you want. And, the assorted modes alter the damping accordingly. I notably just like the ‘allroad’ and ‘offroad’ modes the place the Q8 will rise up on its tippy-toes and look fairly purposeful when left in a gravel carpark, for instance.

Pop it in effectivity and it sits on its guts for higher aero, and also you’ll shortly see a drop within the indicated power consumption common readout, plus driving vary will enhance and normally not drop as shortly. This is without doubt one of the few EVs the place I constantly noticed higher effectivity on the freeway than on the town, and it’s fairly ‘thirsty’ in stop-start Melbourne visitors – there’s even a Vary mode which limits prime pace and ancillaries so as to add much more vary.

At pace the Q8 e-tron is superbly hushed from the surface world and quiet. I took the Sportback as much as my grandparent’s dwelling in Kilmore by way of the Hume and Northern Highways and my mother and father each commented on the consolation and serenity of the Q8’s cabin at pace. I used to be additionally impressed with its long-haul consolation.

The Q8 e-tron’s driver help suite is techy as you’d count on, with Audi’s adaptive cruise help combining adaptive cruise and lane centring features for semi-autonomous freeway motoring – it’s probably the most user-friendly and natural-feeling techniques of its kind that I’ve examined.

Our take a look at automotive’s optionally available digital mirrors take some getting used to, and the small door-mounted shows might be greater and supply higher viewing angles. Nonetheless, the way in which Audi has neatly built-in blind-spot warning and indicator lights into the sting of the OLED shows is sort of fetching – they undoubtedly an acquired style.

Encompass cameras make parking this massive crossover rather more manageable, although the parking sensors are intrusively loud. They nearly shriek at you which of them is a tad off-putting, and are simply plain annoying when making telephone calls, for instance.

Lastly, whereas the usual LED headlights with auto high-beam are effective, it’s a little bit of a pisstake that Audi is charging $170,000 for a know-how flagship and retaining the trick Matrix LED headlights as a $3300 possibility – like actually? Come on Audi…

What do you get?

For the extra spend, the Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron picks up some further equipment over the usual SUV model.

Q8 55 e-tron highlights:

Wheels, suspension, brakes, dynamics

• 20-inch alloy wheels in 5-arm aero type
  • Graphite gray
  • Diamond-turned end
  • 255/50 R20 tyres
• Adaptive air suspension
• Anti-theft wheel bolts, free wheel detection
• Collapsible non permanent spare wheel
• Audi drive choose
• e-quattro totally 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 facet
• Excessive gloss styling package deal
  • Window slot trims in anodised aluminium
• Roof rails in aluminium
• Comfort key
  • Full keyless entry, begin
• Electrical tailgate
  • Programmable top
  • Gesture management

Seating and fabric

• Normal 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 by way of 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 cloth
• Load sill protector in stainless-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, knowledge 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

Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron provides:

Wheels, suspension, brakes, dynamics

• 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
  • 10-spoke rotor design
  • Anthracite black
  • Gloss turned
  • 265/45 R21 tyres

Seating and fabric

• Sport entrance seats in Valcona leather-based

Inside

Choices

A variety of packages and single merchandise choices can be found on the Q8 e-tron.

22kW charger package deal: $6900

• Will increase automobile cost capability as much as 22kW AC
• Onboard charger as much as 22kW AC
• Audi join charging system (as much as 22kW)

22-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels: $1600

• 6-segment spokes design
• Black metallic
• 265/40 R22 tyres
• Adaptive air suspension sport

Matrix LED headlights: $3300

• Entrance, rear dynamic indicators
• Auto dynamic headlight vary management
• Motorway gentle
• Dynamic gentle design

Digital mirrors: $3500

• OLED facet touchscreens
• Kerb view
• Intersection view
• Motorway view

Black exterior styling package deal: $1900 (55 e-tron)

• Accents on Audi Singleframe
• Trim strips on facet home windows
• Facet door inserts
• Entrance, rear bumpers
• Exterior mirror housings
• Roof rails in black ($900 Sportback)

Privateness glass: $1050

Panoramic glass sunroof: $3400

Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System: $1750

• 16 audio system
• 15-channel amplifier
• 705 watt output

Is the Audi Q8 e-tron secure?

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

It scored 91 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for little one occupant safety, 71 per cent for weak street customers, and 78 per cent for security help.

Normal security options embrace:

• 8 airbags
  • Twin entrance
  • Twin front-side
  • Twin rear-side
  • Twin facet curtain
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Car to Car (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 steering 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 value to run?

The Q8 e-tron is roofed by Audi’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Consumers of the Q8 e-tron, just like the e-tron earlier than it, additionally rating a six-year limitless subscription to the Chargefox public charger community, in addition to six years of complementary scheduled servicing and 6 years of roadside help.

That’s among the finest possession applications within the enterprise for electrical automobiles, one thing that Mercedes-Benz has moved away from for instance. BMW affords 5 years of limitless Chargefox charging with the iX.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi Q8 e-tron

I’m not usually an SUV-coupe man, however I used to be actually taken by this Audi’s design.

The Q8 Sportback e-tron is the form of restrained and understated class that the four-ringed marque is thought for, and like its SUV-bodied sibling it affords all of the features of huge Audi SUV possession with an electrical drivetrain.

It’s massive, it’s comfy, it’s luxurious, it’s tech laden, and all the pieces simply… works. Even higher, it provides you minimal six years of carefree possession due to its complementary servicing and charging packages.

For these wanting an EV that feels acquainted and becoming of legacy manufacturers, the Audi actually performs to that method in a method a variety of different manufacturers – mainstream or premium – haven’t at all times been in a position to handle.

Nonetheless, my points with the 55 e-tron SUV stay. It’s very inefficient comparatively talking, which means that regardless of having such a giant battery the vary is fairly common – 400-450km of real looking driving vary is simply not sufficient for a automobile quoting a large 114kWh (gross) of battery capability.

It’s additionally very costly contemplating how lengthy this automobile has been on sale, and a lot of function gadgets that basically must be customary at this worth level stay optionally available – Matrix LED headlights and the panoramic sunroof particularly.

Not solely is the Sportback $12,000 dearer than the equal SUV with minimal specification enhancements, it’s dearer than a lot of key rivals with solely aggressive efficiency and beneath common driving vary.

However vary isn’t at all times all the pieces, and should you’re a loyal Audi proprietor desirous to commerce as much as one thing inside the household that additionally has an electrical drivetrain, the Audi Q8 e-tron might be a seamless introduction to electrified motoring.

I’d additionally suggest having a take a look at run of the digital mirrors should you plan on ticking the choice. They’re to not all tastes and can take a little bit of getting used to.

Click on the pictures for the gallery

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