The Audi RSQ8 is a Lamborghini Urus for Half The Price - The Smoking Tire

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I think the Lamborghini Urus is an excellent car, dynamically speaking. It's ludicrously fast, handles well, and is brilliant for a 3,500 mile road trip (which I took in one in 2020). But it's also not very good looking, it's wildly expensive, and it's very clearly based on VW and Audi architecture. Audi's RSQ8 makes nearly the same power, with acceleration as close as makes no difference. It has almost all the same tech, the same amount of space, and is much more tastefully styled. And it's literally half the price of the Lambo. So why don't we see them on the road? Matt explores.
*Correction: The wheels are 23", not 22"
Audi provided the vehicle, insurance, and a tank of fuel for this review.
Urus review: • The 2021 Lamborghini U...
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The Audi RSQ8 is a Lamborghini Urus for Half The Price - The Smoking Tire
#audirsq8
#lamborghiniurus

[@addmoregas]

Audi...making Lambos affordable since the R8.

[@ponkacik8641]

W comment

[@BC_CARS]

Dead fax lmao. Lambo just a statement piece. Posers buy lambos. Smart ppl buy the Audi

[@Lambullghini]

@@BC_CARS In the case of the Urus? Yeah In the case of the Gallardo or the Huracan? No

[@marcusmeeks3235]

@@Lambullghini huracan also yes

[@BC_CARS]

@@Lambullghini they both an R8 at the end of the day unless we talkin pre LP cars

[@TheSmokingTire]

*Correction: The wheels are 23", not 22".

[@jeremyb4493]

Good grief...They're going full Conestoga wagon

[@zbrembo]

Atlas isn’t the same platform either, engines sideways

[@alpe6228]

The atlas was also a mistake,it doesnt share the same platforme

[@glyph241]

My favorite Audi, Currently

[@imSchwaggy]

Exactly 22s are for pesants. Don't disrespect the rsq8 like that ever again 🤣

[@IReahpZz]

The poorus as people would say 💀

[@dynamicduo222]

comparison is the thief of joy :)

[@imSchwaggy]

I'd personally rather the rs6 because it looks cooler. But this is such a good buy. Like the r8. You can literally have both an r8 and rs6/rsq8 for the price of a urus.

[@rally2give]

Rs6 is essentially the same car. Built on same chasis and engine. I agree much better looking though

[@TS87X2]

Love your videos and Podcasts Matt (and Zack) but the Atlas is built on the MQB platform (Golf/A3/etc.) and the Urus/RSQ8/Q7/A8/etc. are built on the MLB platform. MQB is transverse engined with a Haldex style AWD system and the MLB has longitudinal engines and a Torsen center differential. 2 totally different things.

[@DJwessling]

Came here to say this. Good catch.

[@Plupx]

It's easy to make the mistake as they look nearly identical (shape wise)

[@ToxicSpiker]

He wanted to say VW Touareg not Atlas

[@TS87X2]

@@ToxicSpiker Good call. Makes sense despite them not being sold in the US anymore.

[@Plupx]

@@TS87X2 perhaps, but we don't get the touareg in north america

[@mojojojo_BB]

Ugh no! The Atlas is on the MQB platform, the Q8/Urus are on the MLB platform.

[@faeinthebay]

Yeah, Matt mixed it up with the Touareg.

[@mdrobc13]

My buddy just got one 2022 RSQ8 fully loaded for $102k (MSRP was $148k)....equal priced Urus would have been double that easily. Sent him this video among others and told him he's stupid if he spent the extra $100k just to show he could drive the same car with just a Lamborghini nameplate on the back and switchgear inside and cosmetics....especially when an upgraded exhaust and tune would transform the RSQ8 into as much more aggression/performance as he wanted that Lamborghini has tuned the Urus for. He loves his RSQ8 and glad he listened! Great video! Sometimes common sense matters...good job SmokingTire!

[@HiddenWen]

The RSQ8 seems to be getting really popular lately. I recently saw a murdered-out one pass me on the road, it sounded thunderous and looked just as menacing as an URUS. The badge is also much less in your face. Compared to its more expensive cousin, it's much more stealth. And according to thecarguys youtube channel, this car is actually appreciating in value.

[@MultiRyan2112]

Het Matt, loved the video as always. I live in the UK and signed upto better help, when it said where I heard of them I selected KZbin as it was you who made me aware of them. I don't know about in the US but here your channel isn't in the list of channels they provide so I couldn't give you the credit.

[@lolatu4402]

Shout out to the rock the camera guy carried to every spot for the drive by shots!

[@Twobarpsi]

Great SOLO review Matt!

[@tinglouie]

VW atlas is MQB platform; not shared with Urus/RSQ8 MQB is a transverse predominantly FWD platform

[@markyh0555]

A gearbox tune, and an engine tune with a good exhaust, probably get it to be like the lambo and its still 62% of a Urus!

[@mtnman1984]

Akrapovic makes a full exhaust with sport cats. Add to that an Eventuri intake and an APR tune and you are well beyond the Lambo.

[@drewwrobel564]

I honestly like the sounds better then a stock Urus. Especially the downshifts.

[@drunkpolack7612]

Probably faster 😂

[@markyh0555]

@@drunkpolack7612 probably a lot faster. 😆

[@gky3019]

looks way better too!

[@jonathanvanelli]

I'm sorry for your loss Matt

[@DiscoR53]

I’d take the RS-Q8 give it a mild turn and call it a day.

[@the_bar]

Im curious to hear your thoughts on how this and the Urus compares to the current X6M Comp from a performance as well as a daily driving experience.

[@venom5809]

My buddy ordered a Urus Performante, I don't know why he did but he did, personally I like the regular one. There's a neon green one in my neighborhood and I like it, if you want to be noticed that's the perfect car to have. It will be interesting to see what the Urus Performante is like when it gets here.

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

Exactly the result I was expecting.

[@iCGreen_]

Thank you for this. What a sleeper

[@JuneBuG2123]

I'd love to get my hands on an RSQ8. On my second VW group car and I can confirm OEM wipers are trash 🤣🤣🤣. Great content as always 👌🏾

[@matty_o]

I like how you were very expressive about this. The disgust in price across their platform

[@Gearbhall]

I think not only should the question be "is it a cheaper Urus", but also its a better looking Urus. I still think the Urus in yellow gives shades of Pontiac Aztek.

[@Elaba_]

The Aztek is prettier.

[@drewwrobel564]

@@Elaba_ I swear Im the only person who liked those, when the facelift had paint to match plastics, lol.

[@venom5809]

Urus in yellow is actually very nice, green too.

[@YoshiV819]

I'd take they Cayenne Turbo GT variant over either of those, much classier version.

[@whosdondada]

Good choice

[@peso611]

They are not in the same price range.

[@TonyWang]

I wonder if this car was one of the million of cars stuck at the port in Germany... Sitting in the sun, hence the dead windshield wipers...

[@dantecasali9821]

Is the Urus shared with VW Atlas? Atlas is MQB as it’s transverse engine.

[@IReahpZz]

Totally different platform .

[@Lambullghini]

No, he probably got the Atlas confused with the Touareg. The Porsche Cayenne and the Bentley Bentayga also share that platform.

[@user-ok2fu5ps2k]

love your video I drive an Audi RSQ8 as a daily and had the opportunity to drive the URUS and the lambo turns more heads but my Audi has that green metallic. neon color and gets a lot attention too. something with my Audi R8 and the Huracan basically Audi a little more comfortable but Huracan more attention getter. Both brand are great!

[@LostInSpice]

You can turn lane departure off by just pushing the button on the end of the turn signal stalk. At least that's the way it is on my '22 Q8.

[@neilmcmahon]

same in my RS7. Don't you just hate when reviewers say something is bad when don't actually know how to use it properly, like the wipers comment. Surely he needs to spray the windshield a few times as the dust along that road is probably terrrible.

[@cosyneproject]

Absolutely golden example of "a fool and his money are easily parted"

[@nyalsewell]

No one does driving reviews better than Matt

[@neilmcmahon]

Chris Harris has entered the chat...

[@CarsandCorey]

The RS Q8 is the thinking man’s Urus (or the introvert’s Urus, if you want to look at it that way), and I share the sentiment that it is the least ugly of coupe SUV’s. I would even dare say it looks good! Also, save the $40k and just get the SQ8; it’s more than enough. I am with you on deactivating the lane assist, but did you check in the settings to see if it was set to early or late? From my experience, Audi’s active lane assist is one of the least aggressive systems. Personally I always turn it off regardless, but of all the ones I’ve tried it’s far from the worst.

[@jareknowak8712]

True, SQ8 is probably already more than you need in a "daily SUV". And you can still tune ECU and put some exhaust for the fraction of the difference in price.

[@1855Media]

Nails home I complaint I have with fast cars that aren't engaging-- they're super dull unless you're at full throttle. And how often are you doing that? 10% of the time? In prior times, a 5 series wagon would be more fun to drive. Now, a Macan S or GTS is the closest you can get to a luxury, practical hatch with actual feel and engagement that you can enjoy during 90% of your driving time.

[@Nunyahbiz]

Think you meant the ZL1 Camaro ran a 7:42. The C6 ZR1 ran a 7:19 and change at the ring

[@tingsfromyaad3942]

@thesmokingtire Atlas is Mqb platform Q8 URUS Etc is MLB platform

[@firefox39693]

Small correction. The Urus is built on the PL71 platform, not the MQB platform of the Atlas. I think you were confused about that because the MQB platform is what the Golf is based on.

[@ZaibAquil]

It's not, the Urus is on the VW MLB evo platform

[@Jdnicks00]

That’s not true.

[@zkiller195]

...and it looks better than the Urus inside and out. Sure, the Urus is a hair quicker, but these are family haulers. On the track it might knock a couple tenths off your lap time, but on the road, you'd never notice the difference in performance. The thing is, I'd much rather have an RS6 Avant than an RSQ8. RS6 Avant>RSQ8>Urus.

[@Timoastra]

I prefer the styling of the RSQ8 over the Urus. The front of the Urus is cool, but the pointy wheel arches and the rear part is not so nice. The RSQ8 har better proportions over all.

[@jaketrottier2841]

I drove one and found it quite docile and a little too digital. It drives nice and would make a great a daily, but Matt’s comment “Audi’s aren’t aggressive in the way Lamborghini’s are” hits the nail on the head.

[@DreamWorkDrive]

Nice analysis at the end. Always preferred these over the Urus. Having an SUV and expecting to grab the same attention level as a purposefully built supercar is just silly.

[@Elaba_]

What is the mileage of the LS400 now?

[@Dou6.2]

ONLY $144,000 Dollars! Get YOURS NOW

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Just took a 600-mile trip in our S-Q8, the power and comfort was absolutely incredible, 80-90mph feels like 30-mph, and the engine is effortlessly not even phased at 2,000rpm, and the car is only turning 1800-rpm at 90-mph, redline is 7,000-rpm, do the math how much power is still waiting

[@ld7740]

Are you on the Ortega?

[@BKetch]

I think the RSQ8 is the car to have. I like being a little more low key for day to day stuff.

[@mdrobc13]

Esp when folks are out there stalking those with ostentatious displays of $$ in some areas. I'd be worried about getting carjacked in an Urus now adays in many urban cities.

[@newbiedebater]

What if the VAST majority of us are FAR too poor for even the "cheap" RSQ8? That's a higher MSRP than I've ever earned in a year, and I'm in corporate finance... Short of a software engineer or a business owner I just question who can really buy these vehicles.

[@TrayJayRecords]

not for the working people

[@LSs1Power]

How does it compare to the X5M/X6M?

[@mateogalguera9089]

Funny you mention the crappy wipers. I just picked up a brand new eTron S and the wipers are squeakier than my dog’s toy. Thought it was just my car because it sat for a while before I got it.

[@IKhanNot]

Switch to Bosch Icon wipers. I had the same issue with my Benz and the OEM stuff (funny enough they are made by Bosch) would skip across the windshield. The Bosch Icon ones are smooth and silent.

[@adamhinckley5062]

I was considering an RSQ8 until you mentioned the wipers… what a shame

[@marknhopgood]

Also the way you say Aureus sounds like RS too. I'm going to ask Santa for one.

[@thomaspolce1342]

Hey anyone know what road this is?

[@eliminateyourhypocrisies]

Love the RSQ8 but really wish Audi brought us the mini Urus - the RSQ3 sportback - the five cylinder is just sublime.

[@Scorpio1075]

$140K I'm getting a Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe finished in Paint to Sample __________ .

[@chadotis8416]

RSQ8 might not turn heads in L.A but would in the Midwest and many other areas.

[@dnizzle18]

best looking imo well worth for the price.

[@tedjohnson64]

Weird “quirk and feature” @15:06, the engine sound options are: “quiet/automatic/present”, with the current selection being “present”. What a bizarre adjective for engine noise. As is “automatic”.

[@916abe]

I'd love to see your check out the SQ7... because that thing looks like a goofy minivan or a fancy Ford Flex... and it is a damn rocket ship. No way in hell is it making "merely" 505HP.

[@G2_JP48]

I just bought a used SQ7, probably the best value 3rd row SUV on the market. Super comfortable for long road trips with the kids and family dog, third row comes in handy if you have to take kids and friends to events, but fun power when you need/want for whatever reason. In person, does not look like a minivan just a regular SUV. I take it over the Cayenne Turbo just because its similar performance, more trunk space and 3rd row when i need it. I don't need to break N'Ring lap times, for that I will buy a real dedicated track car.

[@samcas707]

All the mlb-evo 4.0L’s are the same, just choose wherever you want your budget, and probably more importantly, image to sit. And if you really want a proper fast suv with a bespoke chassis, order a dbx707 - you don’t need all that fancy chassis tech and rear steer when you don’t mount the engine way out in front of the front axle

[@Only-one-life-68]

Reckon your bang on Matt

[@RealBearFace]

The ritzy folks in the nice beach parts of South Jersey seem to like these a lot. Right after jeep wranglers

[@Dou6.2]

People are purchasing $100k + BMW 3 series because its FAST. Its a sick world. Bout to CRAASH

[@luffy858]

6:52 - 23 inches? Based on the sidewall clip shown

[@MrMarcc777]

Can you do the MTM RSQ8 drive test

[@jbarryclkrec]

Wet and Dirty gets the thumbs up!

[@singular9]

Another car for the top 0.1%

[@frozencold199]

The windshield wipers suck because they are rubber and not silicone, they skimp out on the extra 20 bucks per wiper to shaft the overall quality of them, trust me, buy a pair of silicone wipers instead of rubber, they last longer and do 100x better job wiping

[@sclems4]

Stealth wealth 👍

[@BobsGT235]

There is a reason that BMW doesn't use air suspension on any of their latest M vehicles. It just doesn't operate correctly on a track oriented vehicle. And yes, even the BMW "M" X vehicles (X3,4,5,6) are made for track use.

[@jareknowak8712]

Volvo uses original Öhlins dampers with manual setting on their X60 Polestar SUV.

[@NDEEZMiata]

Clearly it’s working if it can pull those ring times. It just doesn’t “feel” as good.

[@billballin6948]

I didn’t know the Urus had a mild hybrid system.

[@chiefputty]

How does this compare to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo?

[@rally2give]

RSQ8 over Urus any day of the week. Threw a tune on mine and it’s pushing 700hp and still cheaper cost than Urus. Interior is also much cleaner design IMO

[@rfwhyte]

15MPG combined. No thanks. I'll stick with my deleted and tuned Q7 TDI that has 300 hp, 450ft/lbs of torque and gets ~35MPG combined and 45MPG+ on the highway and can do over 600 miles on the highway to a tank. Diesel is a lot cheaper than premium gas where I live too.

[@RamosDominicano]

Thanks for the proper pronunciation of Murcielago.

[@Loko_The_Savage]

I was 100% set on the Q7 / Q8 until I drove the MDX Type-S and fell in love. It also helps that it's 10-15K cheaper similarly optioned - made the decision easy!

[@bim1376]

@@bowie4418better looking than the Q7

[@Justin_GFM]

Were you only looking at the base Q7 and Q8 or were you looking at the SQ7 and SQ8/RSQ8 as well? I’ve driven an RSQ8 and while I haven’t driven an MDX Type-S, I can’t see how it would be as exciting as the Audi in any manner

[@bim1376]

@@Justin_GFM probably the regular Q7 as that’s what the Type S is priced with

[@Loko_The_Savage]

@@Justin_GFM Yes! The base Q7 with the 3.0, and literally no frills at all, was the same exact price as the Type-S. I would have loved an SQ7 but they're $20K more.

[@Justin_GFM]

@@Loko_The_Savage In that case, I’d say you probably made the better choice with the Type-S. They seem like a better value at that price point

[@pan4632]

Matt seems really unimpressed with the car lol. Can't blame him

[@lesnikda]

Am I the only who is concerned about how low the headrests are? They should be slightly above your head from safety reasons. Are they not adjustable? Otherwise great car!

[@MrJeffSD]

Would love to see your review on the Cayenne Turbo GT

[@Lionheart_He-Man]

I think that’s the whole point of even having an Audi in the first place is to obtain high performance in a worthy and stealth like manner. Lamborghini screams = look at me!!! 🤪 Audi calmly says = ……………..(nothing, move stylishly in silence) 😎

[@eric_peachey193]

Dont forget how much tire technology has changed in 10 years. Yeah its impressively fast, but saying it is faster than this or that isnt a direct comparison.

[@jose15238]

Nooo the Atlas is a different platform (mqb). Q8 benetega urus is Not mqd

[@zulu-k2r]

“Urus drives like an Audi Q7“🤣😂

[@neilmcmahon]

I'm assuming you're not putting the gearbox into Sport if you are claiming that it's not responsive down low. Again with these 'negative' comments about something when it is actually not being used correctly.

[@JuneBuG2123]

The "poor mans" lambo haha. I personally prefer the look of a well kitted RSQ8 over the Urus. But if I had Urus money, def getting the Urus, just cause 🤣

[@QuietStormX]

This is the only model to buy. It's a beast than a lambo...

[@lowstrife]

Really goes to show just how much margin there is in the Lambo when you can get so close for 100k less. They are absolutely FLEECING the people who buy the Urus. It's rare you see such a good money printer from such a distasteful object.

[@aneebaba06]

Even in Chino, there's an Urus (lived there for 3 plus years) lol

[@MORC]

My 46k dollar Acura has radar cruise, what are you talking about?

[@romeomk510]

Overall Breakdown: Audi RSQ8 - $144K Lamborghini Urus - $275K Value of saying, "My Lambo" - $190K Estimated total savings for choosing the Urus over RSQ8 - $59K Conclusion: Buy the Lamborghini 😎👍🏿

[@vyrnmn]

For me an RS6 will always trump the SUV equivalent.

[@jpics]

The Atlas does not share the same platform as the Urus or RSQ8

[@almac9203]

Yes he is lacking in knowledge

[@rjnation5042]

I'll keep my Espada & buy the Audi for comfort, Rj in Oz

[@rudolfschenker]

Uhhh the Atlas has nothing to do with the Urus or Q8 lol.

[@almac9203]

The Lamborghini Urus shares nothing with the VW Atlas. They are built on different platforms. The reviewer was wrong

[@MushroomGravy007]

They should’ve named the lambo Uranus 😊

[@MarkIzaguirre]

I’d agree with you on rs models if there was no rs3

[@MarkIzaguirre]

@thesmokingtireofficial lmao right…

[@papa_pt]

Can you imagine what the profit margin is on the Urus!? 🤑🤑🤑 build it for $160k TOPS, get at least $80k back

[@diegobeatdropper6843]

This 4.0 v8 is a beast, just needs downpipes, a tune and intake and for less than 10k you can easily add +150 whp, and embarass any urus owner. Plus it has kind of a "sleeper" look.

[@hotdog9262]

going by apr(sq8) its +197hp/160ft lbs on ecu tune alone on 93. from measuered stock to tuned whp. apparant cost is 1k

[@hotdog9262]

rsq8 +114/164

[@whoischxse]

Urus < RSQ8 < Turbo GT

[@jorrellgilbert]

Ooo-Roos.

[@RobertBrienza]

I'm fortunate enough to not have to make the decision of going Audi or Lambo as if there was a gun to my head because all I can afford is a Rav4. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@jareknowak8712]

Thats probably 2x bettter mpg.

[@RobertBrienza]

@@jareknowak8712 Na, I drive it like it was a Lambo so my mpg is just okay.

[@Boostleaked]

I daily drive a rav4. I feel your pain.

[@iFlyNoWings]

Order it Audi exclusive exterior and you’re there!

[@Scorpio1075]

Was thinking the same thing!

[@jamescollett2625]

I get the feeling Lamborghini are taking the piss with the urus. For that money it’s not fast enough. Also critics are saying the interior isn’t up to Lamborghini standards. It just feels like a ripoff. For that money you can buy two high end cars