Audi RS Q8 (2020 - present) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Audi RS Q8 is the sporty performance-enhanced version of the regular Q8 range, and the most powerful petrol-powered SUV in Audi’s line-up. It has been on sale in the UK since 2020.

The sporty SUV has received a largely positive reception from the UK media, with frequent plaudits for its pace – the Carbuyer team concludes that the RS Q8 offers “incredible performance”, while What Car? calls the SUV “outrageously fast.” The Audi shares its engine with the Lamborghini Urus – a 592hp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.8 seconds.

The Top Gear team explains that the RS Q8 is “ideal if you need a supercar and an SUV rolled into one”, pointing to the car’s agile handling, as well as its spacious and well-built interior. However, they also find the SUV’s six-figure price tag to be a deterrent. “The Audi RS 6 costs much less, it’s faster, it’s more fuel efficient, boot space is nearly the same and you won’t look like a Premiership footballer when you pull up in one.”

As well as rivals within the Audi range, multiple reviewers have reported that the SUV’s automatic gearbox is rather lethargic – a conclusion that leads What Car? to comment that the Porsche Cayenne Turbo offers more on-the-road fun overall.

Jonathan Burn of Auto Express asserts that this heavy-set Audi is “too big to be truly engaging”, while Carwow explains that you will be lucky to get 25mpg out of the SUV’s thirsty engine. “But do you really care about fuel economy in a super-SUV such as this? Probably not.”

As of November 2022, the Audi RS Q8 currently holds an Expert Rating of 61% based on 11 reviews published by the UK motoring media. The score of the regular Q8 range is slightly higher.

RS Q8 highlights

Seriously quick in a straight line
Surprisingly agile in the bends
Plenty of on-board tech as standard
Comfortable upmarket interior

RS Q8 lowlights

Thirsty petrol engine
Sluggish automatic gearbox
Expensive, base price and options list
Cheaper RS 6 is faster and more efficient

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £112,165 on-road

Launched: Spring 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The monster Audi RS Q8 is too big to be truly engaging, too heavy to be agile, and not particularly engaging to drive, despite its vast reserves of power and Nürburgring record-setting credentials.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Audi RS Q8 complements the unapologetically aggressive styling with the awesome power of its muscular turbocharged V8 engine. Comparisons with luxury SUV equivalents from Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini sharing the same platform are not entirely favourable though.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“As a physics-bashing engineering achievement, it’s hard not to admire the Audi RS Q8. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that it undercuts the less powerful Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo yet includes many of that car’s optional dynamic driver aids as standard.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Excessive? Yes. Powerful? Also yes. There’s a lot to the RS Q8, but we feel like it’s still missing something.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Audi RS Q8 is quicker than most sports cars while offering estate-car practicality, but running costs are high.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi RS Q8 isn’t just ludicrously fast for a mammoth SUV, it’s also impressively practical and easy to live with.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Deeply impressive powertrain, transmission calibration and response. The Audi RS Q8 feels expensive and fully loaded.”
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Model reviewed:
“The first ever full-size Audi SUV to bear the RS badge, the RS Q8 is powered by a 600PS twin-turbo V8 petrol engine.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi RS Q8 is a Q7 for those who don’t need seven seats.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi RS Q8 is better looking than the Lambo Urus, phenomenal performance and handling, hugely expensive… ideal if you need a supercar and an SUV rolled into one.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi RS Q8 is an outrageously fast sports SUV that corners with composure, mostly rides well and betters its rivals for practicality. Just bear in mind that the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupé is a bit more fun.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 73%

The Audi RS Q8 shares its crash test safety rating with the regular Q8 SUV range, which was awarded a full five-star score in December 2019.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of November 2022, the Audi RS Q8 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of November 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Audi Q8 range to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Q8, we’ll publish the score here.