Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback assessment: Large however thrilling

That is the most recent version of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, which I’ve been eager to drive after testing previous e-tron variants. Now, I’m usually a fan of small and nimble EVs and the Q8 is way from being compact. Nonetheless, in the event you’re available in the market for a large and beefy all-electric SUV, and the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV version aren’t tempting, Audi’s newest is value contemplating.

It is also value remembering that Audi presents the Q8 e-tron in two totally different flavors. I like the marginally extra sloping and subsequently extra slinky Sportback, but when desire a extra upright journey, I’d go after the usual mannequin. Both method, this can be a massive automobile, with loads of room inside for passengers and a trunk that may simply carry loads. Admittedly, in comparison with a few of the best electric cars, the Q8 e-tron shouldn’t be visually gorgeous, but it surely’s additionally onerous to overlook on the freeway.

Being an Audi, it’s additionally protected to say that the efficiency matches the purposeful appears. There’s luxurious too, which is hardly shocking on condition that this can be a premium automobile. Add to that loads of expertise and a construct high quality that’s all the things I’d anticipate from this automaker. Let’s dig deeper and see the way it fares, we could?

Advisable

Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Now that Audi has rounded out its vary of all-electric fashions, the Q8 e-tron Sportback sits within the portfolio very properly certainly. It is massive, cumbersome and a little bit of a handful in tight spots and works to finest impact on lengthy freeway treks. There’s a premium really feel to the inside, with spectacular ranges of tech in the event you head for the choice pack. Exterior, it’s a bit of bit humdrum, although in the correct colour that slanting coupe-esque roofline turns the Q8 e-tron Sportback into correct a hit story.

Professionals

• Easy freeway driving
• Quite a lot of house for members of the family and baggage
• Acquainted Audi infotainment system and controls

Cons

• Large and ponderous however nice for highways
• Heavy and inefficient
• Upright, non-coupe model extra sensible

Specs, pricing and availability

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback seen here’s a full-on premium bundle. Because of this, it comes with an costly price ticket, which for the UK is £95,130 (simply over $120,000). Simply 5 grand shy of the £100,000 mark makes it appear costly, however for vehicles of this dimension and ilk, that is not as loopy as it would sound. My check automobile is dubbed the Black Version, but it surely was truly completed in a colour Audi calls Magnet Grey. I also needs to level out that the asking worth contains the price of a Know-how Pack Professional possibility, which is available in at a whopping £5,995 (round $7,500).

Design and Construct

Probably not a headturner but it surely works

If I’m spending practically £100k, I wish to suppose I’m getting a automobile that makes an announcement. I’m not into flashy vehicles as such, preferring one thing extra low key. So in that respect, the 2024 Q8 e-tron Sportback does the trick because it’s definitely not brash. Certain, it’s massive and daring, however there’s nothing in regards to the exterior that makes it a headturner. In that respect, in the event you love an SUV and crave consideration, then this Audi might be not for you. It isn’t that a lot of a method assertion.

The sober appears are exacerbated by the grey paint end, which may be very of the second, but it surely does are inclined to make this massive Audi fade into the background a bit. I discovered this to positively be the case after I returned from a flight and had bother finding the automobile amongst a sea of different grey tin within the parking zone of an airport. Perhaps a extra scorching shade would deliver the automobile to life a bit of, however on this guise, I believe it’s a bit of bit pedestrian within the appears division.

I used to be grateful for the large 265/45 tires on 21-inch shiny again Audi Sport alloys, nevertheless. Actually, squeezing the automobile via a ticket barrier on the airport didn’t afford a lot house between curb and wheels. Fortunately although, numerous rubber sidewall meant there was no fear about scuffing these shiny alloys. The 4 chunks of rubber at every nook additionally means the automobile sits on the street purposefully and handles lumps and bumps with aplomb too. Something decrease profile would in all probability present the other impact.

The inside lowdown

Consolation and high quality in equal measure

I believe the inside of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is certainly one of its highpoints, and it definitely instructions extra consideration than the outside. If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to be the motive force, then the setup presents a commanding view of each the street forward in addition to the controls within the cockpit space. This being a top-of-the-range mannequin, I didn’t really feel like there was something lacking, and the consolation ranges had been as premium as anticipated.

I can’t actually fault the consolation ranges in any of the seating areas both, and the Q8 e-tron Sportback is simply as good to be in in the event you’re within the again as it’s within the entrance. In fact, there’s a bit of extra management over seat settings on the entrance, with an all-electric choice on supply that allowed me to tweak and fine-tune the driving place to my necessities.

The one factor that I did discover mildly irritating was the piano black plastic finishes that dominate throughout the sprint space and down beneath the infotainment part. The reason being that I discovered these surfaces to be actually reflective in sturdy daylight and continuously received glare again from the pristine finishes. It appears nice however, identical to most different shiny plastic surfaces, there’s additionally the tendency to indicate up mud and fingermarks way more simply than different much less shiny supplies. However, Audi has achieved a tremendous job at balancing out the mix of inside finishes and, general, I believe it really works effectively.

The expertise breakdown

An infotainment system that matches the invoice

As I discussed earlier, this the Q8 e-tron Sportback Black Version automobile turned up fitted with practically six grand value of additional tech. That is known as the Know-how Pack Professional bundle, and it offers me all the things I want behind the wheel and extra moreover. I’m not so certain that the present Audi infotainment system and its management interface is kind of nearly as good as the most recent setup present in Mercedes-Benz EVs, however equally, all the things works because it ought to.

That mentioned, I didn’t discover the voice controls nearly as good as these within the present vary of Mercs both, however in any other case, Audi has an excellent factor happening, and it’ll be acquainted to anybody who’s been behind the wheel of different fashions within the vary. I haven’t pushed this automobile with out the Know-how Pack Professional possibility and could be eager to understand how totally different the automobile appears minus all of the bells and whistles. Like something, this feature needs to be explored at leisure as a way to get the very best from it, though I’m nonetheless undecided it’s value practically six thousand. I’m a cheapskate although.

Battery, vary, and efficiency

Good vary however could possibly be extra environment friendly

Out on the open street, the Q8 e-tron Sportback makes whole sense. It’ll get on down the freeway shortly sufficient, though not that effectively, with round 3 miles per kWh exhibiting on my sprint more often than not. This can be a massive and heavy SUV although, so it’s not shocking. I’m glad I had the back-up of a decent-sized 114kW battery pack, which managed to get me each to and from the airport without having to cease for a cost.

That was an over 200-mile spherical journey and I did get to my dwelling charger with simply six miles left, however nonetheless, that is nice for these occasions after I simply need to get dwelling. Plugging within the beast at dwelling, the Audi knowledgeable me it was going to take 16 hours to get to a full cost on a 7kW unit. Plug it right into a business charger as much as 170kW although, and it’s doable to anticipate a reasonably higher 10% to 80% cost in only a tad over half-hour.

Verdict

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback in its Black Version variant is a monster of a machine that appears a bit of sleeker than its extra upright variant. I really like loads about it. There’s loads of nice efficiency on faucet, though at any time when I drove it enthusiastically it did make me a bit of nervous about vary on longer runs, regardless that it’s received a beefy 114kW battery pack. It’s not probably the most environment friendly of vehicles, however it will definitely be on my record if I wanted a premium all-electric SUV for normal freeway treks. Anybody who craves consolation, a bit of little bit of luxurious and excessive ranges of tech will discover it equally interesting.

Advisable

Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Engine

Twin electrical motors powered by Lithium-ion battery

Drive Format

4-wheel drive

Horsepower

300 kW / 402 hp

0-60mph

5.4 seconds

Torque

664 Nm

Prime Velocity

124 mph

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