Audi’s wide-body Q8 fastback might have the best rear end of any SUV and with it a compelling interior of immaculate details.
New for 2019, the Q8 Sportback ed a unique SUV segment that makers’ marketers like to call a five-seat sport coupe with four doors. The sloping roofline compromises the traditional cargo package of a traditional SUV in exchange for a high-style and high-riding utility vehicle. Others in this elite and pricey club include the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Range Rover Sport.
Essentially, owners pay more for less real estate in a more desirable body style — and are happy to do so.
Based on Audi’s very well done Q7 three-row seven-seater, the five-seat Q8 is masterfully engineered to get the most car from an SUV foundation. And its credentials are galvanized by the same foundation that also foots the Lamborghini Urus, but with a raging-bull V-8 and attitude.
While the Q8 has the same wheelbase (117.9 inches) as the Q7, its footprint is 3 inches shorter, the body an inch wider and the roofline 1.3 inches lower.
It is sold in three trim levels, all with the same engine, transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. Starting prices, including the $995 freight charge from Bratislava, Slovakia, are $69,195 for the , $73,195 for Plus and $78,695 for the Prestige. The Prestige tester was $88,845.
Among the Prestige package ($9,500) upgrades are a leather dashboard with contrast stitching, power door closers, rear and side window shades, heads-up display, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, 21-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with all-season tires, Bang & Olufsen sound system, interior lighting package with lighted door sills, top-view camera system, ventilated front seats with four-way power lumbar, Audi phone box with wireless charging and antenna booster.
Options included the Luxury package, $6,150, with Valcona full leather upholstery with massaging front seats, Alcantara headliner, dual-pane acoustic glass, heated and ventilated 18-way adjustable front seats and ionizer air quality system with aromatization. The towing package added $650 and the cold weather package, $600, added a heated steering wheel and rear seats.
The Q8 quattro has a responsible 335-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection V-6 an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. A 48-volt battery allows mild hybrid features of auto stop-start at idle and brake-energy recuperation.
The engine’s 369 foot-pounds of torque has satisfying pull from 1,370-4,500 rpm, but acceleration from a stop can seem subdued, like a third-gear start. Selecting the Dynamic sport mode provided much easier acceleration. Audi cites 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.6 seconds, and magazines have gotten 5.3. That’s an impressive AWD run for a curb weight of 5,004 pounds.
EPA fuel-economy ratings reflect the heft (and I’m not complaining): 17 mpg city, 22 highway and 19 mpg combined, on the required . My mileage on average ranged from 13.2 to 22.4 mpg. The big 22.5 gallon tank allows road-trip ready cruising range of about 490 miles.
The adaptive chassis package of air suspension and four-wheel steering is well worth the $2,750 option. The air springs give the smoothest transitions of any system I’ve tested, with no head toss at driveways and speed bumps. The wide-body makes for a wide, 43.5-foot turning circle, but the four-wheel steering cuts it to a more practical 38 to 39 feet, in my estimation.
Braking is absolute and without grab from large, vented 14.8-inch rotors front and 13.8 inches rear.
The tester’s cabin was an immaculate presentation of quality carpeting, creative gray wood trim, handsome charcoal-gray microsuede headliner and some of the finest leather upholstery, neatly stitched, aromatic and supple to the touch.
With dual-pane glass, the interior is traffic calmed and whisper quiet without feeling road texture or tire noise. The 360-degree, top-view camera system is very helpful in tight parking situations.
With the standard panoramic sunroof, front headroom is cropped to 37.1 inches, yet there is room for drivers taller than 6 feet. Car, cabin and infotainment controls are split between two screens — one in the center instrument and the other just below at shifter console — and both are surprisingly handy to use.
The wide armrest console includes a phone charging pad with two USBs. And the door s have stash space, including for large bottles.
Back seat and cargo
The raised bench has fully ive cushions with comfortable recline, adjustable by a couple of inches. There’s an inch more headroom than in front and long legroom of 40.2 inches.
Cargo space has a wide 44 inches at the opening but height is shallow at 29 inches. Fold the seats for about 6 ½ feet of length. There are no seatback releases nor any basement storage, but there are power switches to lower the suspension for easier loading or tailgating.
America created the SUV, but it is the European carmakers that drove it over the top to create a tightly engineered vehicle they could appreciate. The Q8 is a simple matter of civility over utility.
2020 Audi Q8 quattro Prestige
- Body style: 5-seat, 5-door all-wheel-drive SUV
- Engine: 335-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection V-6 w/auto stop-start at idle; 369 lb.-ft. torque from 1,370-4,500 rpm
- Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic
- 0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds
- Fuel economy: 17/22/19 mpg city/hwy/combined; fuel required
- SPECIFICATIONS
- Fuel tank: 22.5 gal.
- Cargo space: 30.5-60.7 cu. ft.
- Front head/leg room: 37.1/41.6 in.
- Rear head/leg room: 38.1/40.2 in.
- Length/wheelbase: 196.6/117.9 in.
- Curb weight: 5,004 lbs.
- Turning circle: 43.5 ft.
FEATURES
- Standard equipment includes: smart-key locking and push-button ignition, panoramic sunroof, Audi virtual cockpit, 8-way power (heated) front seats, power folding and heated side mirrors, hands-free power tailgate, LED headlights, LED taillights with dynamic turn signals, LED running lights, 40/20/40 folding back seat with recline, USB music interface, navigation system
- Prestige package ($9,150) includes: leather dashboard with contrast stitching, power door closers, rear and side window shades, heads-up display, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, 21-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with all-season tires, Bang & Olufsen sound system, interior lighting package with lighted door sills, top-view camera system, ventilated front seats with 4-way power lumbar, Audi phone box with wireless charging and antenna booster, side assist and pre-sense rear, turn assist and intersection assist
- Safety features include: 6 air bags, pre-sense front and rear (low-speed collision assist), stability and traction controls with off-road mode, brake assist
PRICING
- Base price: $78,695, including $995 freight charge; price as tested $88,845
- Options on test vehicle: Luxury package, $6,150, includes Valcona full leather massaging and ventilated front seats, extended leather features, Alcantara headliner, dual-pane acoustic glass, heated and ventilated 18-way adjustable front seats and ionizer air quality system with aromatization; Adaptive chassis, $2,750, includes air suspension and all-wheel steering; Towing package $650; Cold weather package, $600, includes heated steering wheel and rear seats
- Where assembled: Bratislava, Slovakia
- Warranty: 4-years/50,000-miles
