2024 Audi Q8 e-tron

There might have been a lot of people who liked the idea of an all-electric Audi SUV but decided that a maximum range of 222 miles wasn’t going to swing it for them. Enter the revised, renewed, renamed 2024 Q8 e-tron with the potential to run for 300 miles on a single charge. This is achieved by the Sportback version, but the more practical SUV variant can still manage 285 miles.

The Q8 e-tron is one of those “the future is now” rides. Having jettisoned the need for fossil fuel, there’s an exciting whoosh to the acceleration. The technology available includes lane-keeping assistance, massaging seats, and self-parking. There’s also that much-loved (and cutting-edge) Audi style inside and out. This is the company’s flagship electric SUV, representing some of the best aspects Audi has to offer, which is impressive by anyone’s standards.

The gasoline-powered Audi Q8 is reviewed separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating electric luxury SUVs, including the Audi Q8 e-tron.

The name change is just the start. The SUV (and Sportback) formerly known as the e-tron becomes the Q8 e-tron, as the e-tron term is applied to any new Audi with an all-electric drivetrain. This year also brings a beefier battery for a better range (now a maximum of 300 miles) and faster charging than before. Other changes under the skin include improved steering and suspension, recalibrated drive mode settings for more differentiation, and a revised rear electric motor. Exterior tweaks have resulted in a restyled grille, new alloy wheel designs, and a 6% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency.

The main rivals are the BMW iX (starting in the high 80s) and the Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV (kicking off at around $80K). Other alternatives are the Cadillac Lyriq (from about $60K), Rivian R1S (beginning in the high 70s/low 80s), and the Tesla Model X (starting in the high 90s).

Before buying a new Q8 e-tron electric SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values so far haven’t been as strong as those of the BMW iX.

The Q8 e-tron deploys a pair of electric motors for a combined 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. However, select Dynamic mode and output jumps to 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft, if only for about 10 to 12 seconds. That does mean, however, a sprint from standstill to 60 mph polished off in just 5.4 seconds — impressive for a vehicle tipping the scales at around 2.8 tons, and faster than the Mercedes-EQ EQE 350+ SUV.

The BMW iX is at least a second quicker, but also more powerful and more expensive. It’s the same story with the Tesla Model X, claimed to reach 60 mph in 3.8 seconds in its slowest form. But we think there’s plenty of entertainment here even when Dynamic mode is not engaged.

With an electric motor at each axle providing all-wheel drive (known as quattro along the corridors of Audi), the Q8 e-tron adds stability to its speed. Audi has also improved the steering system this year, making it feel more direct, precise, and responsive. Changes to the suspension enhance the Q8 e-tron’s agility. Even though this substantial luxury SUV is hardly the first choice for back-road blasts, we noticed and appreciated the extra degree of poise. Anyway, there’s the 496-horsepower SQ8 e-tron for that kind of hijinks.

Comfort remains a priority, naturally enough. An air suspension is standard — not overly soft in Normal mode, not too firm in Sport mode. And the cabin is quiet no matter what’s going on outside.

For optimum efficiency, the rear motor does most of the work, with the front chiming in if more grip and/or acceleration is required. When that does happen, it all feels incredibly seamless. One-pedal driving, a typical trait of electric vehicles, is not on the Q8 e-tron’s menu. We suggest putting the energy regeneration setting to Automatic for everyday use.

Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. This activity also reduces range significantly. If there’s a lot of towing to do, check out the gasoline Q8 and its 7,700-pound ability.

There’s always something special about an Audi interior. Remember, this was the first company to install digital instrument clusters (the Virtual Cockpit) and there’s one in the new Q8 e-tron electric SUV. Throughout the cabin, there’s luxury, comfort, quality, smart technology, and cool design.

The center console houses an upper display for the user-friendly infotainment system, with a lower display for the 4-zone climate control. Like the instrument cluster, these screens have crisp, good-looking graphics.

Both versions of the Q8 e-tron have a generous 39.1 inches of rear legroom — a fraction more than the BMW iX, a fraction less than the Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV. Looking at the differences in rear headrooms between the Q8 e-tron SUV and its Sportback stablemate, the former has 39 inches — 1.1 inches more.

Making the same comparison in the cargo area, the SUV has a commodious 28.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, opening to 56.4 cubic feet when they’re folded. The Sportback has 27.2 to 54.5 cubic feet. For the extra style and possible range, there’s really not much of a sacrifice in practicality. To broaden the picture, the larger iX rules this particular roost with an impressive 35.5/77.9 cubic feet, while the EQE SUV loses some and wins some with 18.4/59 cubic feet.

The electric Q8 e-tron is distinct in its class by offering the choice of a more upright SUV body or an even sleeker Sportback variant. This latter version is capable of a 300-mile range. Either way, there’s that typical Audi handsomeness. One handy option is the provision of charge ports on both sides of the vehicle.

Changes this year bring a revised grille, new LED headlights, fresh wheel designs, and improvements to the aerodynamics — which have a beneficial effect on range and help reduce wind noise.

This is also the first Audi to have its model name laser-etched onto the B-pillars. And while we’re on the subject of pillars, the rears are quite wide, affecting otherwise good outward vision — but this is compensated for by the standard blind-spot monitoring system.

Dedicated EV navigation
The standard navigation system in the Q8 e-tron has been developed especially for electric vehicles, creating routes that can include charging locations along the way.

Virtual Cockpit Plus
One of the many cool things about this standard 12.3-inch display is the ability to customize it to show all sorts of information, from battery levels to maps, as well as all the usual crucial stats.

Matrix-design LED headlights
This feature incorporates mirrors, sensors and computing power, as well as an array of LEDs. The upshot is that the light pattern can change automatically to provide maximum illumination while not dazzling other road users. It comes in at the Premium Plus level.

Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system
Another Premium Plus feature, this is one of those audio setups you can feel as well as hear, in concert-hall quality.

Intelligent Park Assist
Available at the Prestige level, this feature maneuvers the Q8 e-tron into and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. It can also measure spaces to make sure one is suitable.

Carbon-neutral production
The Q8 e-tron is built at a certified carbon-neutral facility in Belgium.

The furthest the 2024 Q8 e-tron is rated to travel on a full battery before needing a recharge is 300 miles, accomplished by the Sportback variant. The SUV version is just 15 miles shy. That’s a huge improvement over the outgoing e-tron’s 222 miles and makes this Audi a credible contender in the luxury electric SUV class.

For comparison, the BMW iX tops out at 324 miles, the Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV at 279 miles, the Tesla Model X at 348 miles, and the Cadillac Lyriq at 308 miles. The Rivian R1S in standard form runs for 260 miles, with an optional larger battery providing 340 miles.

Using a DC fast charger, the Q8 e-tron’s battery can go from 10% capacity to 80% in 31 minutes. That’s similar to the iX, EQE SUV, and most high-end electric vehicles. Hooked up to a 240-volt/Level 2 supply, a full replenishment takes a relatively quick 6.5 hours or so.

Last year’s 95 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery is replaced by a 114-kWh unit of the same physical dimensions. What happens with EV batteries is that they have gross and net capacities. The net capacity of the 2024 Q8 e-tron is 106 kWh. These numbers might seem somewhat meaningless, but the good news is that the latest battery uses 93% of its capacity, as opposed to its predecessor’s 91%. It allows faster charging and contributes to a greater range than before, putting the Q8 e-tron into stronger contention against its rivals.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle warranty is typical for the luxury sector, lasting four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. Roadside assistance is included under those same terms. The first service at 10,000 miles or 12 months is also free. Batteries in Audi’s electric vehicles are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Audi Q8 e-tron was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2024. It also received a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard driver assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.