Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback review: Big but thrilling

This is the latest edition of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, and I’ve been wanting to drive it ever since I test drove the previous e-tron variant. I normally like small, agile EVs, and the Q8 is far from compact. But if you’re looking for a large, rugged, all-electric SUV and the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV versions don’t appeal to you, Audi’s latest edition is worth considering.

It’s also worth remembering that Audi offers the Q8 e-tron in two different trims. I like the slightly leaner, more supple Sportback, but if you prefer a more upright ride I’d recommend the standard model. Either way, this car is big, there’s plenty of room for passengers inside, and you can easily fit a lot of luggage in the trunk. Sure, compared to some of the best electric cars, the Q8 e-tron isn’t the most spectacular looking, but you won’t miss it on the highway.

It’s an Audi, so it’s fair to say that performance matches the purposeful looks. It also feels premium, which isn’t surprising considering it’s a luxury car. On top of that, it has all the technology and build quality you’d expect from this automaker. Let’s dig deeper and see how it performs.

Recommendation

Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

With Audi now expanding its all-electric model range, the Q8 e-tron Sportback fits very nicely into the portfolio. It’s big, bulky and a bit unwieldy in tight spaces, but it’s perfect for long highway journeys. The interior feels premium and, if you opt for the option packs, the level of technology is impressive. The exterior is a bit ordinary, but the right colour and sloping, coupe-like roofline make the Q8 e-tron Sportback a real success story.

Strong Points

• Easy highway driving
• Plenty of space for your family and luggage
• Familiar Audi infotainment system and controls

Cons

• Big and bulky but perfect for highways
• Heavy and inefficient
• Upright, non-coupe designs are more practical

Specifications, Pricing and Availability

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback pictured here is the full Premium Package, which is why it has a hefty price tag of £95,130 in the UK (about $120,000). It’s just £5,000 shy of £100,000, which sounds like a lot, but for a car of this size and type, it’s not as expensive as it sounds. My test car is called the Black Edition, but it’s actually finished in a color Audi calls Magnet Grey. I should also point out that the asking price includes the cost of the Technology Pack Pro option, which costs a whopping £5,995 (about $7,500).

Design and Build

Not very eye-catching, but effective

If you’re going to spend close to £100,000, you want a car that makes a statement. I don’t like flashy cars, I prefer something more understated. In that respect, the 2024 Q8 e-tron Sportback is perfect because it’s not flashy at all. It’s big and bold, but there’s nothing eye-catching about its appearance. So, if you like SUVs and want to be noticed, this Audi is probably not for you. It’s not a car that makes a style statement.

The understated look is further accentuated by the grey paint finish, which, while very modern, does tend to make this big Audi blend a bit into the background. I found this to be certainly the case when I returned from a flight and struggled to find it in the airport car park among a sea of ​​other grey tin cars. A more vibrant shade might have given the car a bit more vibrancy, but in this guise I think it’s a bit bland in terms of appearance.

But I was grateful for the big 265/45 tires on shiny 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels. In fact, there wasn’t much clearance between the kerb and the wheels when I drove through the turnstiles at the airport. Thankfully, there’s plenty of rubber on the sidewalls, so there’s no need to worry about scratching the shiny alloys, and with four nub of rubber on each corner, the car stays firmly planted on the road and rolls over bumps with ease. Lower tires would probably have had the opposite effect.

Interior Details

Comfort and quality in equal measure

The interior of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is one of the highlights and I think it attracts more attention than the exterior. If you are lucky enough to be the driver, you are set up to have a commanding view of both the road ahead and the controls in the cockpit area. Even though this is the top-of-the-line model, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. Comfort was as premium as expected.

Comfort is undeniable in all seating areas: the Q8 e-tron Sportback is just as comfortable in the back as it is in the front. Of course, you have a bit more control over the seat setup up front, and there’s an all-electric option available, so you can fine-tune your driving position as needed.

The only thing that annoyed me a little was the piano black plastic finish that covers the entire dashboard area and underneath the infotainment section. The reason is that these surfaces are very reflective in strong sunlight and reflections are often visible from clean finishes. They look great, but like most other glossy plastic surfaces, they tend to show dust and fingerprints more than other less glossy materials. Still, I think Audi has done a good job of balancing the blend of interior finishes and it works well overall.

Technology Breakdown

An infotainment system that meets your needs

As we mentioned, this Q8 e-tron Sportback Black Edition came loaded with about $6,000 worth of extra tech — it’s called the Technology Pack Pro bundle, and it gives you everything you need while driving, and then some. We’re not sure if the current Audi infotainment system and its control interface are as good as the latest setups found in Mercedes-Benz EVs, but similarly, everything works just as well as it should.

That said, I also didn’t think the voice controls were as good as the current Mercedes offering, but otherwise Audi’s done a good job and will be familiar to anyone who’s been behind the wheel of other models in the range. I’ve never driven the car without the Technology Pack Pro option, so I’m curious to see how different it is without the extra bells and whistles. As with any option, you’ll need to take it slow to get the most out of it, but I’m not sure it’s worth nearly $6,000 yet. I’m a miser.

Battery, range and performance

Range is good, but efficiency could be better

On the open road, the Q8 e-tron Sportback makes perfect sense. It’s plenty fast on the highway, but not all that efficient — the dash says it gets about 3 miles per kWh most of the time — but this is a big, heavy SUV, so that’s not surprising. And with a big enough battery pack backup at 114kW, I was able to get to the airport and back without stopping to charge.

On a 200+ mile round trip, I only had six miles left when I got to my home charger, but that’s perfect if you just want to get home. Charging this monster at home, Audi tells me it will take 16 hours to fully charge with its 7kW unit, but if you plug it into an aftermarket charger with up to 170kW, you can expect to get from 10% to 80% in just over 30 minutes.

verdict

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback Black Edition is a monster machine that looks a little sleeker than the more upright version. I like a lot about this car. It has plenty of great performance, but whenever I drove enthusiastically, I was a little worried about the range on long trips, despite the powerful 114kW battery pack. It’s not the most efficient car, but if you want a luxury all-electric SUV for regular highway trips, it would definitely be on my list. Anyone who craves comfort, a little luxury, and advanced technology will find it appealing as well.

Recommendation

Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

engine

Twin electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries

Drive Layout

Four-wheel drive

horsepower

300 kW / 402 hp

0-60mph

5.4 seconds

torque

664 Nm

maximum speed

124 miles per hour

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