We Drive The Audi SQ8 e-tron For The First Time! Tough Sell w/ The Stats But Wait Until You Drive It

Kyle, Jordan, Francie, and Coleton all join together for this team review of the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron in California!
Q8 e-tron Full First Drive Review: • I Drive The New Audi Q...
Pre-facelift e-tron S first drive review: • I Drive The 500hp Tri-...
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0:00 - Hello & Welcome!
1:53 - SQ8 Stats & Differences From e-tron S / Q8 e-tron
12:28 - Comfort City Drive
20:48 - Canyons Performance Drive
31:23 - The Team Summarizes Their Thoughts
33:26 - Kyle Final Verdict
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#audi #sq8etron #ev

[@manny41p]

Kyle is a different breed being able to drive like a maniac thru canyons and also being able to nerd talk the whole time 😂

[@Drumox]

Francie trying to drink from the coconut in those corners was pretty funny

[@rob3812]

Thank you for being a real you tube reviewer. Most these people have no clue what they are talking about. Watching your videos you pull from the soul and do your research.

[@petertewilliger1052]

With 3 extra people (700 pounds), the performance is sure to take a hit!

[@justinschultz4325]

Jordan and Francie dancing in the background... nice.

[@Will-qj1oo]

I just brought a used 2022 E Tron S and I love it. The range sucks but it fits my needs.

[@JohnSmithExtra]

Love the E-Tron, especially the S. I like how it's a car first, and tech second.

[@rcole3838]

Kyle, thank you for continuing the objective reviews.

[@jonpetter8921]

Audi SQ8 E-tron does have 505 km WLTP (300 miles) max range in Europe. Fun fact in Europe the Q8 E tron sells over twice as much as Model S and X combined.

[@Anthony__420]

Tesla stopped shipping Right hand Drives of both of those models so yes makes sense

[@chyldstudios]

A $103,000.00 car with 216 miles of range. In 2024.

[@essentials1016]

It's EPA dum***s. Taycans EPA also sucks but its much better in real life!

[@fuck_you_china]

Ikr. It’s a joke. No one can beat Tesla now!

[@user-op7vy5ny4r]

real world range for german evs are usually 1.3x-1.5x the epa rating due to the brake by wire system. All american evs with epa rating optimized system only get around 70-80% of the real world range.

[@Quellness223]

Thank you for explaining. This nut head really is hard to pay attention to his voice and depths of reviewing is so uncanny to listen too. 💀💀

[@essentials1016]

@@user-op7vy5ny4r exactly

[@MegaAutoBit]

I recently drove a 2023 Etron S with the same wheel and seats. Kyle and the team are spot on! The perforated leather doesn’t feel good on the hands. The seats are significantly less comfortable than the comfort seats. You can option the S with comfort seats, but they only come in black-which is a deal killer for me personally. As a result I down graded to a Chronos.

[@philhartley7564]

I have a Q8 ETron 55 Vorsprung SUV in Ultra Blue, on 22's. It s a stunning car!

[@CrankyOldNerd]

One thing is that with incentives on the reg model you can easily drop the price into the low 70s especially at right times of year. Prob not on this model but on the base Q8 definitely can.

[@benoitmurray85]

It looks gorgeous!

[@ronald4life1]

Large SUVs with more power than a standard Q8 E-tron are uncomfortable... If you want more power get a E-tron GT... You nailed it though the Audi E-tron line up may not be the most efficient but they are definitely tuned better and feel much more refined than their competitors

[@CruedEP]

Watching everybody's brain rattle on those bumps @ 26m was kinda funny.

[@MadDecentUK]

Have you had an opportunity to try the SQ8 eTron with the Sport Package? What is the difference to handling? How does the sq8 etron compare to the ICE sq8? I’ve seen some 0-60 times under 4.0s, which isnt unexpected given it has the same V8 as the RSQ8 and RS6.

[@Fuentes6544]

Omggg my anxiety going around the corner in the hills 😮‍💨😮‍💨. Hold on tight! the SUV looks so good in blue and the 22’ wheels and the interior 😍😮‍💨.

[@christinecamley]

Love my Audi Q8 ETron SUV!

[@BillB33525]

My Q8 etron seems to have a very conservative range predictive strategy in the cool weather, resulting in arriving with more left over range than predicted at the beginnning of the trip.

[@KyleConner]

I’ve noticed the same with our e-tron. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or if it’s just the extra loads of the heaters / drivetrain being cold (bearings have to warm up etc) that lead to a pessimistic initial range prediction

[@blimeythatwasclose]

yep - its says it has fek all range left and you have a tiny bit more. amazing progress.

[@evkx]

My personal favorite EV

[@ruthlessluder]

I don't always drive like a maniac but when I do I do it with 4 people in the car on hilly roads.

[@airplanenut6242]

Kyle - Since older etrons have dropped in price so much, I’ve been reading up on them. In your opinion, how much of an issue is the motor coolant leaks/motor failures that’s I’ve read about? Has Audi addressed this in any particular model year?

[@shadow_dragon9243]

14:15 kyle driving in front of my apartment before i started the fleeca job

[@evkx]

Did you have the 10 car garage?

[@georgemitchellii4598]

I dunno what year that car is but my 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback does get 280 plus miles of range.. and that's with the battery charged a bit under 100%

[@CrumResearch]

compare driving feel with Cybertruck, please. with steer by wire and all

[@enco8788]

nice colour

[@thomasd1531]

Just replaced my etron55 with an Q8 55. Consumption sucks, but it is and stays a fantastic car for long trips and even the MIB3 software did with 4014 and the App Store a huge step forward. I love driving it around here in Europe.

[@philhartley7564]

I'm getting around 270 miles out of my Q8 55 in a UK winter

[@marianbadea369]

4:12 Is that Golf just waiting for you guys so he can park!? 🥴 Cause he's been there for a minute with his indicator on! 🤪

[@Madonsteamrailways]

It may not be quite my style, but Audi certainly make some miraculously good cars!!

[@philhartley7564]

I'm on my 8th Audi and the Q8 ETron is the best of them all.

[@achbergerphoto]

I love my 2023 Audi e-tron 55 with S-Line interior. I would love it more being the Q8 55 with the big battery, but my company gave me a budget of €58.500 + 20% VAT, couldn't get a new Q8 55 in the price range. I drive a lot, approx 40.000km a year (25.000 miles) and enjoy the flat charge curve. I used to drive a KIA Niro EV before and that could drive 30-40km more on a single charge (20-25 miles), but the charging was so slow, I could cry.

[@Anthony__420]

How do you charge that on the road? EA as Kyle and out of spec Dave has pointed out are so unreliable

[@philhartley7564]

I can't speak for @achbergerphoto but in the UK, CCS charging is mostly absolutely fine. Two or three hiccups in 60,000 miles of ETron driving in the UK and Europe but nothing that made me think twice about EV/ETron driving and I just bought a Q8 ETron to replace my 55 ETron@@Anthony__420

[@Iceeeen]

@@Anthony__420 His talking in euros, there is zero charging problems there

[@achbergerphoto]

@@Anthony__420 I live in Central-East Europe, there aren't any major issues charging as the grid is reliable. At least for now. Due to the 230V system, I can charge at home or at any AC charger at 11kW. We have some old 50kW chargers I try to avoid in case I need fast charging. Most of the chargers are 150kW here with some 300kW. In Slovakia (my main residence) maybe 10. In Austria maybe 50. But we are small countries with low EV penetration (together not even 20 mil residents), so for now it's pretty easy not to get stuck in a charging jam. Either you are in a city and there are free options, or your in the country side with no options 🤣🤣🤣

[@LarsDennert]

Hmm, going to keep my R1S i think. Still have our APR A7 which is a great car though.

[@buddy1155]

Why always the emphasis on range, an average person drives maybe ones or twice a year over 200 miles and a huge amount of people that far in a single day.

[@kwisatzsawyer]

I often need to go 200 miles between chargers on roundtrips and I don't want to worry about choosing between the heater / reducing speed and making it to the next charger in winter weather.

[@KyleConner]

I’m usually one to under-emphasize range. And our audience gives us crap for it! In this case, especially price category, we need 250mi usable in all weather conditions on the highway

[@buddy1155]

@@kwisatzsawyer That makes you an exception, most people don't drive that far on a regular basis. I have driven daily a motorbike with a range of 150 KM (93 miles). In ten years I have maybe 3 or 4 times fuelled up twice on a single day. 200 miles is a serious distance to drive, if you drive that daily your car is ripe for the scrapyard after two years.

[@buddy1155]

@@KyleConner I do understand the price category. But you should consider educating your audience that you can't compare it with a ICE vehicle because you charge your car at home. And considering the price range, people who buy these cars are people who CAN charge at home.

[@philhartley7564]

I went for the non S Q8 Etron 55 (on 22s) and in winter I'm getting 270+. IMO better all round@@KyleConner

[@MrBazsi888]

What's the smallest available diameter rim for SQ8 e-tron?

[@cbotten106]

20 inch standard, 22 inch $3500 option

[@harryjones5260]

audis have always driven like that. thats the big seller the tight handling.

[@ridethetalk]

Yes, but is all that performance *really* necessary? I'm concerned that you're placing performance over efficiency (...the 22" wheels reduce the range but who cares?... I do!) After a car gets to a certain performance is it really important to keep pushing that particular envelope?

[@stevemcgowen]

There's a segment of EV owners who race stoplight to stoplight to Walmart, so performnace means everything for them. It's not about being green, but raw speed and being trendy...

[@cbotten106]

Honestly, this is supposed to be the sporty option so it makes sense to spec the big wheels. The standard Q8 etron has the same size battery and one less motor, so it is the choice for efficiency. But the bottom line is Audi hasn't solved the efficiency puzzle with this refresh and big wheels exacerbate that flaw.

[@user-yn5sk5ru5g]

I'm fairly confident in saying an audi driving will not (ever) consider a Tesla. In Europe at least, expensive Audi's are bought by Audi drivers, doesnt matter is another car is better, its not an Audi

[@philhartley7564]

Agreed

[@stevemcgowen]

Here in Prague whenever I see a Tesla I play spot the gaps. Not many Teslas these days, though. German cars are king of EVs here...

[@philhartley7564]

Beautiful Prague! Our son lives there and we visit often.@@stevemcgowen

[@CockpitScenes]

For the last time, everybody CANNOT charge at home. Why do you keep saying that? Only 65% live in houses. So the other 35% can just go pound sand?

[@Charlesbjtown]

Rolling 4 deep....."let's see if it's fast!".

[@Madonsteamrailways]

And, on top of that, they’re one of Volkswagen companies. I’m a Beetle fanatic and, between us, my fiancé and I have eight ORIGINAL Beetles!!

[@cbotten106]

The efficiency is really a killer. Kind of like a Hummer EV.

[@MF-et5nk]

Post another video with Francie trying to eat a hotdog with one hand and drink from a coconut with the other hand.

[@urbanstrencan]

Kyle when will you drive 2024 Audi E Tron GT?

[@EricDFleming]

300 miles of real range and I'd trade my R1S for one. That's the deal-breaker for me...because they look fantastic.

[@ronnie5966]

38:37 This car would look better if the audo logo was black. And the antenna on the roof looks funny.

[@concinnus]

If I or a friend had one of these I would have to pronounce it "skwate".

[@jameshetfield5894]

I was watching that freaking coconut the whole time😆

[@joeyhouben3270]

lesson one. don’t buy a coconut when doing a test drive when in the canyons 😜

[@Trades46]

Let's be honest - the SQ8 e-tron buyer doesn't give a rat's backside about range; they would have gotten the regular Q8 55 e-tron otherwise. The value quotient flies out the window as well - this is targeting the same type of folks who would just get a Range Rover, Escalade or G-wagon kind who probably has a few other cars in their garage. They just want the fastest, best & most pricey thing on the lot...though the gas powered RSQ8 would have to be MIA for the SQ8 e-tron to shine... The Rivian quad motor design is cool, but honestly for a performance application the tri-motor setup in the SQ8 (and the Plaids) are the better choice, since you want to rotate the back end using the overdrive outside wheel and regen braking the inside that not even an active LSD can do. However it seems Audi has better fine tuning than Rivian in motor tuning based on how well it handles, even if the Q8 e-tron is an absolute tank in terms of weight. That said, the 3 asynchronous induction motor design is probably old fashioned that would be phased out for the next generation, and the efficiency of ASIM sucks.

[@privettoli]

Why do you think SQ8 eTron buyer wouldn't care about range? Having excellent comfort everyday but not being as comfortable doing rare long road trips might and will be a deal breaker for some.

[@Trades46]

@@privettoli for some, but if you're shopping for a car in this price range, chances are they own another vehicle in the household that range isn't much of an issue. Otherwise, the regular Q8 e-tron 55 quattro is what they'll buy instead.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Remind me to never get into the same car as any Out of Spec employee, because they all love to carve canyons and I get motion sickness and start throwing up until it’s over.

[@ruthlessluder]

News: Audi plummeted 400 feet over a cliff with 4 people inside.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@ruthlessluder That’s horrible and sad.

[@TopGear759]

You’ll get a few things with Audi electric cars that can’t with lucid or Tesla. Reliability, build quality,and massive dealership network.

[@at0mly]

"Want to go for a fast drive through the canyons in the new SQ8 e-tron?" "Sure, but I'm parched, first let me grab my drinking coconut! 🥥"

[@KyleConner]

She made us full ABS brake into the parking lot to get it from a roadside stand!

[@Dactylonian]

Heck yes! Keeping it real.

[@keithhere5868]

$100k plus for this car is laughable...

[@Jordan_Schiefer]

Holy crap how long does it take Jordan to mount up cameras... it's the entire backdrop of Kyle's intro monologues

[@MYJ61]

Poor Francie can’t even drink her coconut! I despise soft closing doors. My BMW 640i GT had them, and I wish it didn’t. I don’t slam my doors anyway.

[@David_Polak]

What's the disadvantage?

[@MYJ61]

@@David_Polak for me it was remembering to gently close the door until it clicks, then letting the door pull tight. It’s just not a normal action for a person used to closing their own door for over 50 years. If you don’t close very gently you can damage the mechanism.

[@Necrotron]

Kyle, my man, as great as this video is, there is a better video you need to do: a follow-up on the Kandi K27. What happened? Where did it go? Why has Kandi pivoted entirely? Was Kandi a scam? They went through all the trouble to get you to test drive the K27 for InsideEVs, and then... Nothing. Come on, Kyle. You need to do it!

[@tauzN]

The base model costs $137,000 in Denmark 💀

[@dzonikg]

bargain

[@philhartley7564]

In the UK the base model is just under £97,000 and it has 21" as standard, no option for 19"s

[@ulfw]

It's all pretty much the same car you've owned and driven for years with just a few upgrades here and there

[@1bluensx]

True story. A friend of mine bought a 2023 Q8 etron in November 2022. Paid 82k. After 2 months he hated it. Couldn’t stand the range anxiety and lack of charging network where he lived. Dealers gave him 37k on the trade. After 13 months! He couldn’t be happier to get an ICE again. All of you California people have totally swallowed the kool aid. Wait til you start having brown outs again this summer. Gotta laugh at you

[@jdcarguy1242]

Tires as big as a full size truck.

[@user-op7vy5ny4r]

it is more powerful and heavier than full sized trucks (f150, ram 1500, silverado)

[@hadtobe4502]

I think the infotainment arrangement needs an upgrade.

[@johnpoldo8817]

Thanks for confirming I have no use for this Audi. All my turns in an EV are slow to get as much life out of very expensive tires. At this price, I must have 4-wheel steering to maneuver well at slow speeds. My dream EV is a Tesla model S with CT steering, ambient lighting, massage seats, and power frunk.

[@t3hpwninat0r]

Why would anyone choose this over a Plaid for $10k more? 😲

[@philhartley7564]

me!

[@TheAdventureAuto]

This would have been great for the early adopter years, but now we're past that. This doesn't offer anything special for that kind of price point. Just another example of an overpriced vehicle that will be used as a reason to say EV demand is down. We're just at a point where we need affordable EV's and not $80k EV's with 200 miles of range, even if that's extremely under rated.

[@ERGTZ]

I never really backseat or comment in videos, and I enjoy this channels informative videos, however going around s bends at those speeds (assuming mph) is blantly dangerous, Torque vectoring or not that was just plain dangerous to your passengers and a lack of thought for their safety. If you did it by yourself then you accepted the risks and I wouldn't be typing this up. please consider this next time and make sure the passengers know what their getting into (Juding by the faces and comments, they werent expecting this). You could be a great driver with experience but anything can still happen unexpectedly. I know ill probably get downvoted into oblivon but its a valid comment.

[@admrob]

It's like my Rivian fucked my B9.5 S4.

[@Dark_Vader888]

Im a hardcore BMW guy but I think the BMW iX is sinfully ugly. This Audi is simply gorgeous!

[@flox8342]

Always loved the original e-tron, and especially the S. It really needs those wheels tho to be sub zero! ...iX is pure uglyness. Its so sad that the SQ8 e-tron STILL doesn't have any efficiency compared to Model Y/X, iX or R1S - and lacking the power, too. :( TF WHY AUDI?!

[@abraxastulammo9940]

What is the real energy content, only about 100 kWh?

[@KyleConner]

I think it’s 106kWh usable +/- (we mention it in all of the Q8 range test / 10% challenge comparisons)

[@abraxastulammo9940]

@@KyleConner I would like you to confirm it because Björn Nyland and car maniac didn't seem to get this energy content which is a bit concerning.

[@philhartley7564]

114 kWh gross and 106 kWh usable in the 55 version@@abraxastulammo9940

[@ATICrossX]

106kWh usable for 220 mile range is insanely bad ​@@KyleConner

[@drab2000]

I really don't understand, why after so many years since introducing massproduct EVs, European brands are still so far behind. It's not gonna end well.

[@jonpetter8921]

Have heard bout EQS, EQE, iX, i4, ID 4, XC 40, Polestar ? and many great EVs that american wont get like Skoda Enyaq, ID 3, ID 5, ID Buzz, Ranault E Tech . Globally only Tesla is bigger than VAG in EVs in the west.,,,,,,,

[@philhartley7564]

European brands are getting close and in some areas are better than US and Chinese brands not all of which are sold here in the UK. Model S and X aren't available here anymore (RHD), Lucid and Rival aren't in the UK either and the Chinese brands don't have much of a presence at the moment. Neo aren't in the UK yet, BYD are only just starting and MG do OK. Where I live in the UK, apart from Model 3s and Y's, the EV you see most is an ETron (although not the s version), followed by Taycan, ID3s, ID4's, Polestar, i4's, Classic Ioniq, i3's etc. Rarely seen cars are Ioniq 5's, Mini's, EV6s, EQE and EQS saloon. I haven't seen an EQE/EQE SUV nor an Ioniq 6 yet. I wouldn't write of European manufacturers just yet!

[@magnesium_subsoil_94]

This is a hilariously bad value haha

[@Luminor513]

I went from a 22 e tron S prestige to a 23 model S long range. I will give Audi the credit for fit and finish, but the E tron S was a huge disappointment. Range, performance, electronic gremlins, space/packaging, app stability, all a huge let down. And let’s not even mention resale value. Not saying Tesla has great resale either, most EV’s took a beating on the used market, but Tesla does so many things great, Audi has a long way to go before it can be a leader in EV, at least not from my personal experience.

[@Mo.Ab.Ma-Ca]

Weak mileage

[@privettoli]

I'd be sold once it has 700mi range with solid state batteries.

[@rolandschmidt5736]

Have you tried the MMI audio system? A complete shit show! I have one

[@777Outrigger]

Audis are great cars, but they're my third choice after Tesla and Volvo. Volvos are the most beautiful cars on the road and the new EX30 and EX90 further improves the beauty. Audis don't look that great to me. And Tesla has the tech, efficiency, and the bling. Plus I'll never buy an EV without a NACS charging port. A fat CCS or even a NACS to CCS port adapter are non-starters for my wife, and no fun for me.

[@philhartley7564]

In the UK and Europe CCS is standard and works fine. NACS is, as far as I am aware, exclusive to the US market.

[@777Outrigger]

@@philhartley7564 NACS is in the North American market which includes Canada and Mexico. ... CCS-2 in Europe is better than CCS-1 in the North America, but I would call it borderline acceptable according to the European road trips I've seen. Plus NACS is just easier to use than CCS.

[@philhartley7564]

I've been on many European road trips, through Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands mostly and it isn't a problem and improving every day. Fastned in particular are great. Europe (and I include UK) will, IMO stay with CCS2. In the US, Canada and Mexico, when all the new manufacturers have joined NACS, I hope the supercharger network can handle it, as that will be everyones first choice.@@777Outrigger

[@IrenESorius]

Show us your new old eGolf instead of overprised uberboring trash.

[@Anthony__420]

Another Audi with crappy range?

[@jonpetter8921]

This car has more range than what EPA range says.

[@sergtv9638]

Sq8-420km; Q8 55- 460km

[@Anthony__420]

@@sergtv9638 not like a Tesla and not as quick either and the charging network too. Can’t compare. Most people aren’t gonna tear them up like Kyle does.

[@darrengriffith9680]

Sorry but Francie is not a good fit for this channel.

[@jackbn9353]

In French, etron means turd.

[@francismazanet2769]

This video is over a month old. I find you refresh your videos often. Why? For monetazation I suspect. I used to follow your channel religously. Then you started doing reviews on things the common man could never afford. Then when I called you out on it, I found my comments deleted. I have subsequently unsubscibed from your channel. But unlike you, I own an Edition One.

[@user-yn5sk5ru5g]

Leather, yuck, murdered animal skin. Not eco either.

[@user-yn5sk5ru5g]

Just convert the miles to kilometers, you'll get more 🫣 Journalist cars never get much range because they drive like nuts, not represemtative of real world use anyway