Review: 2023 Audi RS Q8 - $140K Performance SUV Bargain?

[@AdamJakowenko]

I really like the color...while some may be polarizing, I applaud any automaker that comes out with some options other than light grey, medium grey and dark grey.

[@WhereBrentWent]

Matt, i died at your reaction to the launch control! I could really feel your excitement! Personally I think Audi’s are grossly underrated in terms of reliability and ownership costs. Their poor reputation for reliability is due to their ACTUAL poor reliability during the mid-2000’s, much of which was due to ethanol-integration in the USA during that time as well as the global fuel/oil crisis after the 9/11 attacks, which hiked crude oil costs and forced manufacturers to prematurely shift to more economical materials. I’ve owned over 60 cars, HALF of them were VW/Audi. I can attest to their production methods improving drastically in the last 10 years. Modern Audi’s are properly reliable with general maintenance. My current ‘14 SQ5 has ~120k miles and I drive it over a mountain 2x daily commuting to work, and it’s been nearly problem-free with the exception of the rear-wheel bearings. If you get one that was well-maintained, keep up with the maintenance, and maintain reasonable expectations while modding, they last quite awhile. Sure, it EATS expensive tires every other year, but my cheeks hurt from smiling so much so I don’t care.

[@rsmith2320]

I’ve put 30k miles on my RSQ8 and I absolutely love it. Like most Audis, you need to keep the car in sport mode to keep the transmission from short shifting for better fuel economy. Having said that, I totally agree with you. If you’re going to blow $140k on a car, you’re not overly concerned with the gas mileage. I would have bought the RS6, but I needed to pull a trailer from time to time. I was also echo the center console storage gripe. It is disappointing to have such a small amount of space, but not a deal breaker. The X5M rides like a dump truck in comparison to the Audi. Great review Matt!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks for sharing your ownership experience!

[@SteveMayzak]

I've been driving mine for about 9 months, 13K miles now and still smile everytime I get in the car. This is the first time that New Car feeling has lasted this long, granted this is the most I've ever spent on a car. My wife loves it so much she wants to get rid of her Merc AMG SUV because it rides like a rock on rails. The other thing that is good for me at least is that I have a white one, live in the SW, and nobody notices me, especially you know who. I blend in and surprise people all the time with the power. This feels like most sports cars I've driven if not better and leaves not much to be desired power wise. Plus, who doesn't want to go 0-60 in under 4 seconds while getting a back massage with a cooled seat and a great sound system. I could keep gushing but I'll stop. Greatest SUV on the planet. /rant

[@MattMaranMotoring]

@@SteveMayzak Thanks for sharing your experience too Steve, glad you're enjoying yours as well!

[@zachc7401]

I've had my rsq8 for a full year now. Put 15k miles on it and I love it. It is unreal how I drive like a nut in RS mode and then it is as comfortable as my RR when I have it in comfort mode with the family in the car. Was also close to going with the rs6 but I love the seating position of the 8.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

@@zachc7401 thanks for sharing your experience as well Zach!

[@klasseact6663]

That color is 🔥🔥🔥🔥, add a set of dark bronze HRE's and call it a day❗️

[@im_an_alvani]

Those Audi V8s sound so good! This is low slung enough where it almost resembles a slightly beefier RS6. And yeah, I think in this segment MPG is relatively low priority lol. Great review!

[@DefinitelyNotYouThankGod]

What a sweet vehicle. Exceptional review sir👊

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks!

[@damienf01]

Went on a rally once with a bunch of cars. tuned audi s6 with that engine, and a lot. There was an RSQ8 on the trip, and that thing was flying! Corners and all

[@GothRocker7]

Good review Matt, Truthfully I will never own one of these and have no interest, but I like seeing what is out there for $140,000 and I know you give a great perspective in your reviews. Me personally for $140,000 grand I would be buying a Mustang and a Corvette, or maybe even if I can get the trims that I want get a Mustang, Corvette, and just have enough for the BRZ. Anyway, nice review.

[@regalgs51]

Hi, Matt. Love your videos. You’ve commented in multiple videos how much you love the Audi Bang and Olufsen Advanced sound system. I have a 2021 Audi RS7 with the Advanced system, and I will admit that when I got it, I was surprisingly disappointed in the sound quality. You cannot adjust the mid range, and it sounded muddy and not very clear no matter what music source I used. I found that if you use Spotify premium, which has a built-in equalizer, it completely changes the sound quality of the stereo and really makes it shine. I love the stereo in my RS7, as Spotify and its built-in equalizer transformed it into a completely different sounding system in my opinion. When you listen to these Audi stereos, what music platform do you use? Thank you.

[@2Bunphettered788]

That opening, and the color. 😁🧡 😎👍🏾

[@aliabdi6094]

Nice review Matt 👍

[@XX-166]

You think these things are expensive now… wait until they come off of that warranty.

[@dnice362]

Rich people won’t care and will just get into another lease

[@tdade13]

Extended warranty isn’t bad priced for the highest one it’s like 2800 and covers 10 years or 150k miles and is transferrable between vehicles

[@daflipbizkit]

I learned from owning an M car, extended warranty is essential if you wanna keep it. Once it’s out, unless you’re willing to spend the dough for upkeep, time to sell the bad boy.

[@XX-166]

@@dnice362 rich people aren’t the only ones buying these cars.

[@XX-166]

@@tdade13 gotta watch the language in those extended warranties to make sure they cover everything.

[@lazziebardakos2956]

The colour is amazing. This generation has been out of a now while but still looks better than its competition.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Definitely a bargain compared to the Urus🤣

[@tdade13]

Has been my dream car, saving up for this. Well the sq8 and i can tune it and get any body trim pieces cheaper than a rsq8

[@hypershadow87]

*Matt, I know this might seem like a crazy question but, when it comes purely to just fun factor in the form of speed, exhaust sound and how you feel overall as a driver, which would you choose between the RS3 and RSQ8? I'm comparing the two since they're both very different physically, yet their real world 0 to 60 is roughly the same and the exhaust note from both is super aggressive along with the feeling they give while driving enthusiastically.*

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Hmmm yeah accelerations feel pretty similar, handling is much more fun in the RS3, that's really the only edge it has over the Q8 in my opinion. Just depends if you want the space and TTV8 or not I guess.

[@PresidentJackBauer]

Does Audi do anything other than black interiors anymore in the higher end models?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Yep! They usually offer a gray, tan and red interior as well.

[@lettuce213]

Audis cream interior is the highest class.

[@CoreyTownsend-c2w]

What's up matt I enjoyed this video could you get your hands on the 2023 rsq3 sportback

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I'm glad you liked it! Unfortunately we don't get the RS Q3 here in the U.S. but I did the RS3 with the same engine if you'd like to hear my thoughts on that one!

[@CoreyTownsend-c2w]

Yes that would be good thanks matt

[@CoreyTownsend-c2w]

Yes I would like to hear your thoughts on one

[@hendrikvandermerwe4978]

This is ONLY a bargain IF you are a multi millionaire! Love the car, but there's no way I would pay that for most cars! I can understand that certain Porsche's, Lambo's and Ferrari's cost this much, but NOT an Audi. I own the SQ5 and I really like it, however that too was ridiculously priced as "new" and I bought mine for substantially less as "used" with 10K miles on it! Super cuffed with it, and at the price I paid, I feel that's a "close to decent" price!

[@MegaRetr]

Definitely a bargain compared to the Urus

[@sandcrai823]

Ashtrays in door arm rest??crazy

[@itsjack365]

I love this car so much

[@dave11686]

My bucket list Audi

[@timothybracken1728]

Why don't you record in 4k yet ? It's 2023 and other automotive channels have 4k HD

[@bryantcurtis2573]

Great looking car. For that price I might be able to get into a lightly used Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

[@sengsythao1896]

Dang! That car makes you look so small lol! What a beast!

[@omichaelnato5388]

It’s definitely a weird purchase. It’s for someone rich enough to go to the gas station every single week, but who also needs a massive SUV to haul lots of things around on a daily or weekly basis. I get having the space but if its just the driver in the car, there’s no difference in space compared to a sedan in terms of drivers space.

[@youtruckrek5121]

thanks

[@MC_CEHA]

140 thousand dollars sounds like a bargain to most US citizens.

[@dnice362]

I feel the urus is the better trick off trades compared to the rest.

[@GivenoR]

Lamborghini owns Audi though.

[@xaionik]

That suspension looks a bit boaty.

[@josecordova5688]

For that price Nop, Lambo Urus is worthed the price….

[@yeezuz8a]

My boss bought this car in this color and I could not stop thinking about her car everyday 🥲The Q8 has caught my eye since 2019 and I will get one!😂