The 2023 Audi RS Q8 is the high-performance variant of the Audi Q8, a dynamic athletic crossover SUV in its own right. The RS Q8 ups the ante with sharp handling and a potent V8 powertrain. It provides 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 60.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, so it's as functional as it is fast. The Q8 was introduced in 2019, and the RS variant joined the lineup in 2020. For 2023, the RS Q8 gains some additional standard luxury and tech features.

The RS Q8 is offered in a single, well-equipped trim, positioned higher than the Premium Plus or Prestige trims of the non-RS versions of the Q8. Standard features include aggressive exterior styling, 22-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, a 23-speaker premium stereo system, wireless device charging pad, a power rear hatch, tri-zone climate control, and a fully digital instrument panel, which Audi calls the “Virtual Cockpit.”

Other standard features include a Wi-Fi hotspot, heated front-and-rear seats, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a dual-screen center console. The lower screen operates the climate control and various vehicle functions. The upper screen is home to the infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For 2023, the RS Q8 adds fine Nappa leather upholstery and electric soft-closing doors.

The RS Q8 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine working with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This powertrain puts out 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive. It will sprint from zero to sixty in just 3.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 190 mph. This potent setup returns fuel economy of 13 mpg city, 19 highway, and 15 combined.

The RS Q8 shares architecture with the bold Lamborghini Urus SUV. This shared DNA doesn’t automatically guarantee cornering performance, but the RS Q8 delivers, thanks to an adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering, and high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes.

Standard safety tech includes automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. For 2023, the optional Executive Package adds Remote Park Assist Plus, which is a self-parking feature for both parallel and perpendicular parking spots.

Base MSRP for the 2023 Audi RS Q8 is $120,400 in its lone trim. The Audi RS Q8 is backed by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.