Audi Q8 E-Tron Sportback: Audi's electric luxury SUV has a new name

The Audi E-Tron was one of the first offerings in the large electric luxury SUV market, but now that Audi's stable of E-Tron electric cars is growing wider, the flagship has been given a new name to reflect its position at the top of the range, so it's now called the Q8 E-Tron.
As well as the new moniker, the Q8 E-Tron has plenty of other new stuff besides. The 2023 car also looks a little different, has more tech, and all importantly for many electric car buyers, the range has been extended as well. The Sportback 55 E-Tron featured in this video can now (theoretically at least, according to official WLTP figures) do 373 miles between charges. All that, and 402bhp as well.
In this CarGurus UK video, Vicky Parrott finds out what effect the changes have had on the car by assessing its practicality, quality, technology, affordability, and what it's like to drive.
Pros
Refined and roomy
Superb build quality more than lives up to the price
Class-leading infotainment system
Cons
Not as enjoyable to drive as the Jaguar I-Pace
Tesla Model X has a longer range
More expensive than a Merc EQC
The CarGurus verdict
The Audi E-Tron is a seriously compelling car that feels every bit the expensive, plush SUV that you’d expect given a price starting at more than £60,000. It has the sort of cabin finish that would feel appropriate in a car costing even more than the E-Tron, as well as one of the best infotainment systems on the market; that general over-indulgence, teamed with the E-Tron’s refinement and roominess are the key reasons you go for the big plug-in Audi. However, for all its charms, the E-Tron isn’t anywhere near as fun as the Jaguar I-Pace, is a touch more expensive than the Mercedes EQC and isn’t as practical or as long-range as the Tesla Model X. Yes, it’s a sumptuous and classy car that oozes desirability, but in many ways the competition is even better.
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▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 - Introducing the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron
01:56 - Practicality
02:35 - In the rear seats
02:51 - In the front
04:20 - Charging
04:51 - What is it like to drive
09:14 - Wrap up
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#cargurusuk #q8etron #etron

[@nickcholeva6844]

That is exactly what in my opinion is right about the Q8 e-tron. It is just in the Goldilocks spot where the majority of people who don't want to drive a spaceship that looks like a stranded whale find themselves. The BMW iX with its new BMW design language looks absolutely insanely horrible, Tesla's quality is, to put it mildly, dubious and so is the Mercedes EQE/S SUV by the way, far from how it used to be. Q8 e-tron is not the fastest but it definitely isn't the slowest either, the charging is also more than adequate, though you can find them faster, with the new range it is also very capable although not the best but the infotainment is simply perfectly intuitive and NOT trying to imitate an Ipad like all the rest, but with its wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay just how it should be. But Audi Q8 offers by far the best quality interior and is the best-looking SUV in the segment and is, as the only one of the German premium automakers + Tesla, exactly in the perfect Goldilocks spot. Not too much and not too little, just as we 50+ like it😀

[@wilber8260]

Spot On!

[@nathanthornhill1640]

Not only 50+ I’m 23 and im honestly aspiring to own one because im sad to see I was born in this era that is sooo quick racing towards these, more often than not, ugly modernization trends with cars. The Audi is the perfect balance between modernization and normal.

[@anthonystevens8683]

Another great review Vicky, I love the way that you say it as you see it. A very good point about the (lack of) mirrors on that model, I certainly find myself moving my head around to get a wider reflection in real mirrors that I would definitely miss with cameras. Many thanks for sharing.

[@alanrutland4424]

I am constantly amazed at how manufacturers change operating systems in cars that no one actually likes or wants - as is always told by reviewers too. Climate controls removed and into a screen, haptic controls on steering wheels, camera based wing mirrors, yoke steering wheels, indicator stalk removed and button on steering wheel. Why don’t they listen and why do they keep doing things that, generally, people do not want. It’s very odd. Great review as always Vicki.

[@wilber8260]

Thanks for a good review. The only thing I would add (being a Q8 owner) is that you can set things (with the paddles) to full recuperation at the beginning of every drive, so you dont have to touch the paddles again. There is a setting on the main screen to turn this feature on. That setting stays for all drives until you reset it.

[@Steven-UK]

I purchased one of these (55 sportback) and have now covered just over 2,000 miles. I think the comparisons to the competition don't stack up. I agree the iPace is a good drive, but the tech is old and in need of a facelift / update to match the other new JLR products. Tesla's simply don't compare in build quality, ride comfort or features, they are not in this category or price point to be fair. The Merc & BMW are the closest comparison points and I agree with the comments for the interior of the BMW but the styling is Marmite, which really just leaves the Merc as more direct competition. In a drag race this might not be the fastest but I believe it rides the best and as an all-rounder is a clear winner. For me, the practicalities of this car, with the comfort, performance and range make it a great family vehicle. Audi interiors are always a very nice place to be and the digital displays, switchgear and controls make a difference. I do think it's a bit pricey and Audi still need to improve efficiency as they are still not able to hit the same figures as some of the competition. Totally agree with the climate control though - i loved Audi's digital climate dials on the Q5/Q8 and although the screen is nice, the rotary dials are just better to use.

[@austinedwards1918]

Eyes are better than cameras i would opt for conventional wing mirrors

[@shanukurian1341]

Which ice car e-tron sharing its platform with? Never heard of that before..

[@oscarkanal]

Essentially all of audis bigger cars like A6, Q7 and more since it is based on the MLB Evo platform

[@Wellibob68]

Another good review here. Sadly only for the wealthy & privileged at new.

[@CMCNestT]

Grab handles, Sunshade, Spare Tire, Leather Seats, Comfortable Suspension, Normal Door Handles, Normal Instrument Cluster, Good Hip Point for Easy Ingress and Egress. All these escape Tesla and Mach-e (does have Grab Handles).

[@LegSpinna]

The Q8 looks a bit frumpy.

[@wilber8260]

That's why we LIKE it!

[@clewis5220]

My mates got one but Audi can’t fix his headlamp aim it’s too high and blinding oncoming. Not good for their reputation!

[@Jsah11]

Nice review, thanks. I mean this in a kind way but it would be really nice if your hair was styled when presenting video reviews.

[@ashb8572]

Overpriced and inefficient... nothing different where it matters

[@dapperlygrungy3189]

I love the style and design of Audi. However, Audi has a reputation for poor reliability. And the fact that after the warranty expires, things begin to breakdown making the car a money pit of issues and headaches. If I am going to spend what Audi charges for their cars, I want it built and reliable like Lexus and the performance of German made - Audi. Is that too much to ask for. Maybe, Audi (performance) should merge with Lexus (reliability / affordable maintenance).

[@user-xf2nk1ji5l]

Is it just me?...but WHY OH WHY...is it seen that for a very large,*presumably,well built car,weighing two tonnes or over,and inc EV technology and the weight that goes along with this too...is it seen as a "sub standard/poor" acceleration time of under 6 seconds these days?!!.yes,so the uber powerful,less well made,and dubious quality "fast" tesla has times in the "3",so what!?!,just HOW fast do you all need your VERY large,family orientated fully loaded EV suv's to be?!...my god,a few years ago,a 5.6-7 second 0-60/62,would be classed as "sports car" territory,for a good,well made massed produced volume sports vehicle,and then edging lower and lower as you get into your supercar/high end sports vehicles and down into the 3's @2's for a limited build,highly technical and bespoke "hypercar" or Gt..."enough",in the real world,on real roads,in real traffic conditions is,well,"enough" for anybody isnt it at those kind of 0-62 times quoted for this car as well as many other similar vehicles and types?..and the "launch" capability of an EV,will,surely,lose its appeal over time,especially when,top end,they struggle to do the top speeds a decent sized conventional petrol vehicle would have done a few years ago,and especially a "dirty diesel" with the wall of torque these engines could supply in a "normal" volume,family saloon/hatch/estate?.i would have thought,that,comfort,build quality, safety,and,real world mileage expectations and *fuel economy should be far mor important a fact to concentrate on in any car review for budding and interested owners,especially at this level of "premium",high end £ cars as this than boring traffic light grand prix times from 0-62?,but,like i say,im pbly wrong,i usually am,so,ignore my ignorance on such things,and "what matters most" these days in the world of lookalike jelly mould vehicles...

[@f1b1777]

But there Still NOT ENOUGH RE CHARGING around the UK . Then there’s the issue of if you live 20 floor apartments etc. is Still No point buying an EV until 2030 and then can see how the both battery tech and recharging. From 8.36 in is the really problem with electric cars as All but Tesla has same problem . The Only reason Tesla is number is not coz there cars are the best they are not is coz they used there brains and not live in lalala land and hope governments or and other companies build the infrastructure. They build there own which is still better faster and more of them . Had the Legacy companies did the same as Tesla regarding the infrastructure I put to you there be aSerious amount more EV on the road world wide .

[@alisonb4898]

Go to a filling station and six or seven cars are filling up, 5 mins later another group of cars are doing the same……that’s NEVER going to happen with an ev. Manufacturers expect you to charge at home but in real life a good percentage of residents cannot do that. I will hold on to a gas guzzler for as long as I can.

[@redsquare5325]

Audis need to step up their interiors. Black interiors are outdated now. Bmw Mercedes and Lexus are doing better

[@wilber8260]

My new Q8 has a beige interior.

[@jonathantaylor1998]

Honest review, as always, Vicky - thank you. Sadly, though, this is yet another expensive, overweight, over-indulgent car and, as such, owners of these should be ashamed with themselves for prioritising their greed and arrogance over the planet's resources and the environment. 😒

[@-DC-]

Wow all the Range of a 30 year old base model Corsa, Good Job Audi 🤡

[@richardsedorski1206]

Nice one.

[@henryhilljr4250]

Tf does this even mean. It's electric

[@newbeginnings8566]

An overpriced piece of crap...