Audi Q8 55 E-Tron Quattro 300 kW (408PS) 2024 Review: Accomplished-Unflappable-Dynamic-Innovative

So, we took the eco-friendly electric Audi Q8 e-tron SUV mountain biking in the Surrey Hills. The tracks there are amazing, maintained by hordes of unsung workers who landscape the hills for downhill descents—quite illegally but with great skill. Afterwards, we toured Norwich for a little history and culture. We're not just muscle-bound jocks, you know.

The Audi Q8 e-tron is a revamp of Audi's first electric SUV, which, while interesting, was somewhat hefty to drive. Not anymore. This new iteration is smooth, simple, and offers great range and comfort—refined, powerful, and supremely comfortable.

A new front grille offers a pleasing mixture of aggressive swooping lines that meld into the front lights, somewhat reminiscent of a weightlifter’s barbell. Topped by a redesigned Audi symbol—now more flat-screen-like than the previous 3D rings—it strikes with its meticulous, sharp design and modern styling, giving the impression of exact mathematical shapes. Everything fits together immaculately. It's so sharp, it seemingly cuts through the air rather than flowing through it—very un-SUV-like.

Overall, it’s an attractive modern SUV, though it's not winning the sexiest car of the year. Its appeal lies in cool gravitas rather than a bedroom-wall poster aesthetic. A big plus is its manageable width—just over two metres—making it easy to handle even on narrow British roads.

I was driving the 55 version, though there’s a 50 below and an S powertrain above it. There are also four trim levels to choose from. The 55 comes with two electric motors—one on each axle—and a 106 kWh battery offering a range of 345 miles. Realistically, think 270 miles, and you'll never be caught short.

The maximum power is 300 kW or 408 PS, and it can do 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.6 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). Despite its two-and-a-half-ton weight, the suspension and steering make it feel much lighter. It charges from 10% to 80% in just 31 minutes on DC.

The maximum charging capacity is 170 kW, which might be a bit underwhelming compared to its GT version and rivals. You can use more powerful chargers, but it charged extremely fast everywhere we went—likely because many chargers, even those claiming higher capacities, often deliver less, making 170 kW more than adequate. We easily topped up 100 miles in twenty minutes. Charging overnight at home on a 7 kW charger means you can get half a “tank” in one night or a full one over two nights. Look at me, still using terms like "tank" and "fill up"—what an old codger.

Finding the recharge cables was a bit frustrating since they're stored in a mini "frunk" inside the front bonnet, though it can also be used for extra luggage.

The interior is plush, solid, modern, and well laid out, with plenty of Dinamica leather featuring S embossing. Everything is neatly organized, with haptic buttons for drive selection, screen clear, hazard lights, and a large, easy-to-read screen for the rest. The rock-grey stitched seats are flawlessly comfortable, but the dashboard feels a little less opulent than expected as if it went through a cost-cutting filter.

Audi clearly understands the importance of driver position, as the seat and steering wheel are fully adjustable for optimal comfort. The steering wheel has a wide range of adjustments, so no matter how long your legs are, you'll find the perfect driving position.

Boot space is generous at 569 litres. Put the back seats down, and you can fit a few bikes in there—which is exactly what we did. While there are larger SUVs, the balance between interior space and overall car size felt just right.

Three passengers in the back will be cosy but not uncomfortable, even on long journeys. There’s enough legroom for my oversized teenagers.

Strangely, the drive select button is designed like a large gear shift, but it's only the button at the end that selects forward or reverse—a design touch that seems to take up more space than necessary.

The suspension is superb, and it gets better every year. Bumps are effortlessly absorbed, and the car stays firmly planted with no rocking or rising. Acceleration is smooth and powerful at any speed (electric, of course). You can grab a lane on the motorway before anyone else even realizes you're thinking about it.

The brakes are strong, recapturing energy for the battery. The paddles offer two levels of additional regeneration, so you can cruise along without using the brakes at all. The combination of electric braking and traditional brake pads is perfectly tuned for smooth deceleration, sparing wear on the pads.

It reminds me of the Bentayga in how it drives, just without the hand-stitched quilting and supersized diamond knobs.

I especially appreciated the range estimator, which is accurate to the mile. If it says you have a 300-mile range, you can trust it. And with careful driving, you can even earn back a few extra miles.

Perhaps the best thing about Audis is how easy they are to drive. Years of Vorsprung durch Technik have culminated in ridiculously large SUVs that feel light and effortless. I’ve toured thousands of miles in these vehicles and have always felt safe and confident. If you're thinking of switching from an Audi petrol car to an electric Audi, you won’t even notice the difference. Audi has gone electric but kept its driving ethos intact—just with less noise, more linear acceleration, and no petrol fumes. Plus, the lower centre of gravity lets you corner even faster.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose—Accomplished, Unflappable, Dynamic, Innovative. That’s Audi.

Q8 E-Tron S Line 55 Quattro

RRP (including optional equipment) 88,075.00 GBP

OTR 88,905.00 GBP

https://www.audi.co.uk/uk/web/en/models/q8-e-tron/q8-e-tron.html

And the standard equipment it comes with is impressive, so I've included it here.

Q8 E-Tron S Line 55 Quattro standard equipment

Comfort

• 7AL: Anti-theft alarm system
• 4L6: Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• 4I6: Central locking system with Keyless-Go
• GA2: Comfort remote pre-conditioning
• 6XL: Electrically adjustable, heated, folding, automatically dimming on both sides with memory function, including automatic kerb-side function for the passenger-side exterior mirror
• 3U4: Luggage compartment cover
• 4E7: Power-operated tailgate
• 3CX: Removable net partition
• 7B3: 12-volt socket(s)
• 9AK: 2-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning

Charging Equipment

• ES7: AC and DC charging access point on driver's side and second AC charging access point on passenger side
• 76H: Charging cable; Mode 3, type 2, 32A, 3-phase
• NW1: Compact e-tron charging system
• 70W: Domestic connector type G (UK)
• 73N: Industrial connector CEE 32A, 230V, long and straight
• J9U: 114 kWh battery
• KB3: 11kW onboard charger
• EH1: Length of charging cable: standard
• NJ2: Wall-mounted bracket for compact e-tron charging system
• JS1: With second vehicle inlet

Audio & Communication

• IU4: Audi Application Store and smartphone interface
• IT3: Audi connect navigation & infotainment (36 months)
• UF7: Audi Music Interface
• 9VD: Audi Sound System (Replaced by: Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System)
• 9S8: Audi Virtual Cockpit
• QV3: DAB digital radio
• IW3: Emergency call service and roadside assistance call
• 7UG: MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch (Replaced by: MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch)

Assistance Systems

• 7W1: Audi pre sense basic
• 6K8: Audi pre sense front
• 8T6: Cruise control with speed limiter
• 6I5: Lane departure warning
• QK1: Multi-function Camera (Replaced by: Multi-function Camera)
• 9X9: Parking system plus with 360° sensors and Function-On-Demand preparation (Replaced by: Park Assist with Parking Aid)
• KA2: Rear-view camera (Replaced by: With front and rear view camera system and two side cameras)
• QR9: Dynamic road sign display

Safety & Technology

• 2MB: Adaptive sport air suspension
• 4UF: Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
• 1T3: First aid kit with warning triangle
• QZ7: Progressive steering
• 4X3: Side airbags, front and head airbag system

Wheels / Tyres

• 1PR: Anti-theft wheel bolts
• F49: 21" 9.5J '15-spoke' graphite grey design alloy wheels
• 1S2: Tool kit
• 7K1: Tyre-pressure warning light
• 1G8: Tyre repair kit

Headlights

• 8G4: Audi Matrix LED headlights and dynamic front & rear indicators with coming and leaving home animations
• 8IY: LED headlights with daytime running lights and LED rear lights

Exterior Design

• 3S1: Aluminium roof rails
• 6FA: Body coloured door mirrors
• 4ZB: Gloss styling pack
• 5J1: Rear spoiler
• 2K7: S line exterior styling

Roof Systems & Windows

• QL5: Privacy glass on rear and rear-side windows
• 5XC: Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirror
• 4KC: Windscreen with acoustic glazing

Seats

• 6E3: Comfort front centre armrest
• 3L4: Electrically adjustable front seats including memory function for the driver's seat
• Q1D: Front Sport seats
• 4A3: Heated front seats
• 3B3: ISOFIX child seat mounting for outer rear seats
• 3G4: ISOFIX child seat mounting for passenger seat with front passenger airbag deactivation
• 7P1: 4-way lumbar support for the front seats

Interior Design

• 6NQ: Black cloth headlining
• 0TD: Front and rear floor mats
• VT5: Illuminated door sill trims with aluminium inlays front & rear and S logo in front
• 5TG: Inlays, dark matt brushed aluminium
• GS5: Operating buttons in black, glass look with haptic feedback
• VF1: Pedals in stainless steel
• 7HM: Twin leather pack

Seats & Seat Upholstery

• N2R: Valcona leather with contrast stitching and S logo embossed (Replaced by: Dinamica / leather with S embossing)

Steering Wheel Elements & Controls

• 6F7: S logo for steering wheel

Light Packages

• QQ1: LED interior lighting pack (Replaced by: Extended LED Interior Lighting Pack – multi-coloured)

Other

• GM4: Active Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
• NI1: ECE: NI1
• VI9: Service indicator 30,000 km or 2 years (fixed for electric vehicle)
• 1XW: 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel in perforated leather with paddles for recuperation