Audi Q8 SUV 50 TDI Quattro Tiptronic 286PS MHEV – Cotswolds Tour Review

A Weekend with the Audi Q8 in the Cotswolds

The Audi Q8 SUV 50 TDI MHEV is a bold statement, far from shy and retiring. For our latest luxury motoring escapade, we toured the Cotswolds, gliding from the genteel splendour of the Greenway Hotel near Cheltenham to the utterly fabulous Chalk Restaurant at Wiston Estate winery.

In Satellite Silver, the Q8 gleams like a polished jewel under the gentle English sun—so bright it might cause a low-flying aircraft to pause mid-flight. Its proportions are substantial—really substantial—which is wonderful when you’re inside, stretching out like royalty in motion, and slightly alarming on narrow country lanes where the hedgerows look capable of filing a formal complaint. On motorways, however, the Q8 devours miles with a serene power, reminding you that here lies the ultimate luxury touring SUV: understated yet undeniably impressive.

Specifications: Brains and Brawn in Perfect Harmony

Let’s begin with the hard numbers, because the Audi Q8 is as much about engineering wizardry as it is about polished glamour. Under the bonnet sits a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel producing 286PS, with a petrol variant offering 335PS. Power is delivered through an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission paired with Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and a self-locking centre differential, propelling the car from 0–62mph in just 6.1 seconds.

Efficiency is boosted by a mild hybrid (MHEV) drivetrain with electric assist, while electromechanical progressive steering with speed-dependent power assistance ensures sharp, responsive handling.

Our Black Edition test model elevated the package further with 22-inch Audi sport alloys in 10-spoke Y-style black metallic, a black styling package with anthracite Audi rings, black exhaust tailpipes, a 3-spoke flat-bottom leather multifunction sport steering wheel, and Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators.

For those seeking a full house of tech and design panache, the Black Edition is a statement piece: subtle yet commanding, with a presence guaranteed to inspire envious nods from the neighbours.

Exterior: Elegance Meets Aggression

The Q8’s design is where Audi flexes its creative muscles. Satellite Silver is undeniably stately, though in all honesty, large SUVs should wear something bolder—perhaps a liquid crimson or a midnight sapphire—to truly signal their authority on the road. The Q8’s sharp bonnet and sculpted flanks echo a discretely aggressive Bentayga but with more finesse and considerably less overt posturing.

Those enormous 22-inch alloys are more than a fashion statement—they hint at the Q8’s road dominance and off-road capabilities. The panoramic glass sunroof allows a flood of light to bathe the cabin, making every journey feel like a private tour through an Impressionist painting.

The overall effect: a car that is simultaneously athletic and aristocratic, capable of gliding over motorway tarmac or asserting itself on rugged country tracks without raising an eyebrow.

Interior: Luxury with Gravitas (and Plenty of Legroom)

Stepping inside, you are met with a cabin that feels both luxurious and slightly judicial. The front sports seats, embossed with the ‘S’ logo in Valcona leather, are sumptuous, supportive, and hint at sportiness, even if most of your journey is a genteel glide through the Cotswolds. The dashboard, draped in grey-black, complements the plush black carpets and headliner, forming a cohesive cocoon of sophistication.

Audi interiors always exude gravitas, though in the case of the Q8, perhaps a touch more whimsical charm wouldn’t have gone amiss. Nevertheless, five large seats allow passengers to stretch out in dignified comfort, while contrast-stitched leather, glossy black surfaces, and metallic accents provide a visual feast.

The flat-bottomed steering wheel is reassuringly chunky, as is the gearstick, which snaps easily into Sport mode. Everything in the cabin exudes solidity: this is a car designed to last, reassuringly heavy in the hand, and impervious to the energetic antics of children in the rear seats.

Tech aficionados will rejoice at the MMI touchscreen, first-time intuitive satnav, and 3D HUD display. The velour trims on the doors and dash ooze plushness, while the cabin insulation is impeccable—a cocoon of quiet, punctuated only by the subtle growl of the 3.0-litre V6.

The boot? A veritable cavern at 605 litres, expandable to move-house proportions when the rear seats fold. Perfect for weekend retreats, golf bags, or an unplanned library of oversized coffee-table books.

Technology and Gadgets: The Intelligent Companion

Audi’s attention to tech detail is evident. Our Black Edition came with:

• Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System

• Ambient lighting package plus

• 360° camera with top view

• Park Assist with parking aid plus

• Head-Up Display

• Wireless charger conveniently in the armrest

For those tackling extended tours or commuting in inclement weather, the optional Tour Pack—with adaptive cruise assist—is practically indispensable. It manages the monotony of motorway driving with the grace of a butler, leaving the driver free to enjoy the serene majesty of the Cotswolds. Without it, the standard cruise control feels awfully basic, making long motorway stretches a far less relaxing affair.

Minor quibbles? The satnav takes a few seconds to awaken from its slumber. But let’s be honest, when you’re enveloped in leather, chrome, and technological indulgence, those moments are mere trifles.

Performance: Touring Master Meets Gentle Giant

The Q8 may weigh over two tonnes, but its performance is deceptive. Efficiency mode offers slightly hesitant start-stop behaviour, while Dynamic mode transforms the SUV into an eager, responsive companion, with the air suspension delivering a ride as smooth as silk over undulating country roads.

Fuel efficiency impresses: around 34mpg in standard touring mode, dropping marginally in Dynamic. With a tank range exceeding 700 miles, this is the kind of vehicle that invites long weekends without the constant anxiety of fuel stops.

The Q8 rides high—an extra 50mm in off-road mode—allowing confident negotiation of gravel tracks or rutted lanes. And with driving modes numbering more than a Brazilian fashion show—Comfort, Efficiency, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, Off-road, All-road—there is an option for every whim.

Quattro all-wheel-drive technology shifts torque seamlessly (70% front to rear, up to 85% automatically), ensuring the car feels planted and responsive even on treacherous surfaces. Braking inspires confidence: a reassuring squeeze delivers precise stopping power, vital in a vehicle of this mass.

Steering is light yet accurate, geared for comfort rather than sharp, jittery road feel. In other words, the Q8 is a luxury SUV that drives like a dignified tank in a tuxedo—poised, controlled, and impressively capable.

Driving Impressions: Luxury on the Move

Our journey through the Cotswolds highlighted the Q8’s dual personality: motorway serenity and country-road bravado. The air suspension and precision engineering make even the narrowest lanes feel spacious, while the cabin ensures every passenger arrives refreshed and unruffled.

Dynamic mode injects a hint of exhilaration, reminding you that beneath the grandiose exterior lies a genuine sports SUV. Off-road excursions—though modest in our case—show the Q8’s potential to master uneven terrain without a single flinch.

And let us not overlook the sheer delight of being noticed. The Q8 draws looks that hover between envy and admiration. Passers-by might not know it’s a diesel, but they know it is something special—a vehicle that announces taste and power without ever descending into ostentation.

Audi Q8: A Masterclass in SUV Luxury

The Audi Q8 SUV 50 TDI MHEV Black Edition is a touring master, a rolling sanctuary, and a subtly sporty companion for those who appreciate gravitas, luxury, and understated performance.

If SUVs were operas, the Audi Q8 would be a Verdi: commanding, elegant, and leaving a lasting impression on all who witness it. In short: the Audi Q8 is not just a luxury SUV—it is luxury SUV distilled, with the added benefit of making its occupants feel quietly, gloriously superior.

It begins at £81,925, with our Black Edition tipping the scales at £84,355. For that, you receive a vehicle capable of combining two seemingly contradictory traits: powerful performance and plush indulgence. Whether navigating the serpentine Cotswolds lanes or enjoying motorway monotony with aplomb, the Q8 delivers touring in style.

For more information on the Audi Q8 SUV, visit Audi UK.