Audi caters to families with the Q7, but some people want a little extra space without going all the way to a three-row SUV. For them, the Q8 offers a mechanically similar package with two rows of seats and smoother style.

What’s New for the 2023 Audi Q8

The Q8 gets the Q7’s optional more powerful engine as standard equipment, and it picks up more standard features for 2023, including LED matrix headlights and more robust optional packages.

Design

Where the Audi Q7 is a friendly family hauler, the Q8 takes a more aggressive, sharper stance. It’s lower and wider than the Q7, and its overall length is cropped, thanks to the lack of three rows. The SUV rides on 21-inch wheels and comes standard with a power liftgate.

Powertrain

A turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine comes standard, making 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). Audi equips adaptive suspension as standard, giving drivers the ability to dial in their suspension setting based on the selected drive mode. The top Prestige trim steps up to adaptive air suspension.

The Q8 gets the Q7’s optional turbo-six, which provides solid power in most situations. It’s more than capable for around-town driving, and reaching highway speeds feels effortless. That said, there’s little in the way of inspiring driving dynamics, and the SUV’s steering is too light to feel engaging.

Interior

The Q8 brings a handsome interior packed with high-end materials. Leather upholstery comes standard, along with eight-way power front seats and a memory system. Higher trims add ventilation for the front seats and the mid-range Premium Plus trim gets quad-zone automatic climate controls. The top Prestige trim adds heated rear seats and unique ash wood inlays.

Technology

Like the Q7, the Q8 gets a dual-screen infotainment system that uses a 10.1-inch upper display and 8.6-inch lower display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with ten speakers, SiriusXM radio, and more. The lower display runs climate and vehicle settings, but some people may find navigating two screens confusing while driving. Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus comes standard, which brings configurable gauges and other displays to the digital gauge cluster.

Safety

Audi includes a host of advanced driver aids as standard equipment, including blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, forward collision alerts, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure alerts, parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a rearview camera. The Q8 is available with adaptive cruise control, a hands-free parking assist system, traffic sign recognition, a night vision camera system, and a head-up display. The last Q8 to receive crash testing was the 2021 model, which earned a Top Safety Pick in testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Pricing

As of this writing, Audi prices the base Q8 Premium at $73,995. At the top end, the Q8 Prestige starts at $84,295. Buyers can add a few options, including premium paint colors, larger wheels, and a $6,850 Luxury package, which brings upgraded leather, massage, and a faux suede headliner.