Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback assessment: Huge however thrilling

That is the newest 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, when you’re out there 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 price contemplating.

It is also price remembering that Audi gives the Q8 e-tron in two completely 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, it is a massive automotive, with plenty of room inside for passengers and a trunk that may simply carry lots. Admittedly, in comparison with a number of the best electric cars, the Q8 e-tron isn’t visually beautiful, nevertheless it’s additionally exhausting to overlook on the freeway.

Being an Audi, it’s additionally secure to say that the efficiency matches the purposeful seems to be. There’s luxurious too, which is hardly shocking on condition that it is a premium automotive. Add to that loads of know-how 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, lets?

Beneficial

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 greatest impact on lengthy freeway treks. There’s a premium really feel to the inside, with spectacular ranges of tech when you head for the choice pack. Exterior, it’s a bit of bit humdrum, although in the best coloration that slanting coupe-esque roofline turns the Q8 e-tron Sportback into correct successful story.

Execs

• Easy freeway driving
• Numerous area for members of the family and baggage
• Acquainted Audi infotainment system and controls

Cons

• Huge 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 package deal. Consequently, 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 automobiles of this dimension and ilk, that is not as loopy as it would sound. My check automotive is dubbed the Black Version, nevertheless it was really completed in a coloration Audi calls Magnet Grey. I also needs to level out that the asking value consists of the price of a Expertise Pack Professional possibility, which is available in at a whopping £5,995 (round $7,500).

Design and Construct

Not likely a headturner nevertheless it works

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

The sober seems to be are exacerbated by the grey paint end, which may be very of the second, nevertheless it does are likely to make this massive Audi fade into the background a bit. I discovered this to undoubtedly be the case once I returned from a flight and had hassle finding the automotive amongst a sea of different grey tin within the car parking zone of an airport. Perhaps a extra scorching shade would convey the automotive to life a bit of, however on this guise, I feel it’s a bit of bit pedestrian within the seems to be division.

I used to be grateful for the large 265/45 tires on 21-inch shiny again Audi Sport alloys, nevertheless. In actual fact, squeezing the automotive via a ticket barrier on the airport didn’t afford a lot area 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 automotive 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 feel the inside of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is certainly one of its highpoints, and it actually instructions extra consideration than the outside. Should you’re fortunate sufficient to be the motive force, then the setup gives 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 have 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 when you’re within the again as it’s within the entrance. After all, 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 under the infotainment part. The reason being that I discovered these surfaces to be actually reflective in robust daylight and regularly acquired glare again from the pristine finishes. It seems to be nice however, identical to most different shiny plastic surfaces, there’s additionally the tendency to point out up mud and fingermarks far more simply than different much less shiny supplies. Nonetheless, Audi has carried out a high quality job at balancing out the mix of inside finishes and, total, I feel it really works nicely.

The know-how breakdown

An infotainment system that matches the invoice

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

That stated, 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 automotive with out the Expertise Pack Professional possibility and could be eager to understand how completely different the automotive appears minus all of the bells and whistles. Like something, this feature needs to be explored at leisure in an effort to get the most effective from it, though I’m nonetheless unsure it’s price almost six thousand. I’m a cheapskate although.

Battery, vary, and efficiency

Good vary however may very well 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 displaying 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 with no need to cease for a cost.

That was an over 200-mile spherical journey and I did get to my residence charger with simply six miles left, however nonetheless, that is nice for these occasions once I simply need to get residence. Plugging within the beast at residence, 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 attainable 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 lots about it. There’s loads of nice efficiency on faucet, though every time I drove it enthusiastically it did make me a bit of nervous about vary on longer runs, regardless that it’s acquired a beefy 114kW battery pack. It’s not probably the most environment friendly of automobiles, however it could actually be on my listing 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.

Beneficial

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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